Rationale 1.1

A legal business complies with applicable laws, licensing, and permit requirements.

A wide variety of laws and regulations apply to aquaculture. Ensuring national laws are followed, and necessary permits and licences are acquired helps to promote a socially and environmentally responsible aquaculture industry. Compliance also benefits a business by enhancing customer trust, increasing revenue, strengthening reputation, and avoiding legal sanctions and fines44Widjaja, G. (2024). Managing Legal and Corporate Compliance to Induce and Enhance Business. Law and Humanities Quarterly Reviews, 3(2). https://doi.org/10.31014/aior.1996.03.02.115.

This criterion focuses on the legal compliance of ASC-certified farms as the basis of a well-managed business.

Intent – The aquaculture industry complies with all applicable legal requirements.