Lerøy Seafood Group: Aquaculture Goals

Lerøy: Aquaculture Goals

Lerøy Seafood Group’s comprehensive approach to sustainability is driven by the company’s dedication to ESG principles and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. By focusing on environmental impact, social responsibility, and ethical governance, it has set the benchmark for sustainable seafood production.

The journey did not happen overnight. Lerøy began life in Bergen, Norway some 126 years ago. A lot has changed since 1899 with the company now having 6,000 employees and serving five million meals daily to consumers in over 80 countries.

Despite its impressive size, the company has never lost sight of its commitment to sustainability. In fact, it has taken on a leadership role in the aquaculture industry. Lerøy’s efforts in sustainability have been recognised globally. The company is consistently ranked among the top protein producers in the Coller FAIRR Protein Producer Index, which assesses the largest global meat, dairy, and aquaculture companies on various ESG factors.

To understand this, learning more about how Lerøy works toward fulfilling its ESG and SDG goals is necessary.

Commitment to ESG and SDGs

Sustainable aquaculture practices and fish feed are among the key focus areas for Lerøy Seafood Group as it looks to fulfil ESG and SDG goals. Each one has required industry-leading innovation.

For instance, the company has implemented various measures to ensure responsible fish farming, including the use of advanced technology to monitor and improve water quality. This both reduces environmental impact and promotes fish welfare.

Rethinking fish feed has seen Lerøy participate in circular economy practices by utilising resources that would otherwise not be used in food production. Alongside feed supplier EWOS, the company introduced chicken by-products as an ingredient in fish feed. Incorporating these, which are not suitable for human consumption, has seen the organisation reduce its feed-related carbon footprint by approximately 16 percent.

Additionally, Lerøy has also been a pioneer in the large-scale use of microalgae oil in fish feed. This sustainable alternative increases the levels of essential fatty acids in the feed without further increasing dependency on traditional fisheries. Microalgae oil production also has a low carbon, water, and land use impact.

Environmental footprint reduction

Lessening the company’s feed-related carbon footprint is only one aspect of a multi-faceted approach to cutting emissions. Lerøy has improved sustainability in several other areas as well.

Notably, there has been the electrification of feed barges. By switching from diesel-powered to electric ones, CO2 emissions can be drastically reduced. Nearly half of the company’s 83 coastal locations have adopted electric or hybrid solutions with the initiative expected to slash CO2 emissions by as much as 40,000 tonnes annually.

Logistics is another operational focal point. Lerøy has reduced its carbon footprint from air and road transportation by adopting several measures. These include lowering gross weight and increasing the edible weight of shipments by utilising dry ice and improving its cool chain to reduce wet ice requirements.

Environmental footprint reduction is supported through Ocean Forest, a joint investment between Lerøy Seafood and Norwegian NGO Bellona focused on the production of CO2 absorbing macroalgae, mussels, and low-trophic species.

On the right track

Actions in sustainability must be backed by certifications and reporting. These are important for Lerøy as they back its commitment to sustainability and ethical governance. To that end, the company holds several certifications.

Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certification ensures the organisation maintains responsible aquaculture practices while various food safety certifications guarantee high standards in production and processing.

A high level of transparency is achieved through detailed sustainability reports that are available to the public. These reports outline the company’s progress toward its sustainability goals, including efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve fish welfare, and enhance resource efficiency.

Work to do

Sustainable seafood production and a dedication to ESG principles and SDGs are not enough. Understanding that, Lerøy actively engages with local communities and supports various social initiatives, such as investing in training programmes.

Lerøy’s commitment to the environment is evident through its sustainable aquaculture practices, circular economy initiatives, plastic reduction efforts, electrification of feed barges, use of microalgae oil in feed, industry recognition, adherence to high standards and certifications, community engagement, and transparent reporting.

However, this isn’t being done to simply reach its own environmental goals. Lerøy has now set a benchmark for responsible business practices in the seafood industry.

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