DNV awards world-first ASC-MSC certification for mozuku seaweed
DNV has awarded ASC-MSC Seaweed (Algae) certification to a group of five mozuku producers on Izena Island, Okinawa, with Churayuna Co., Ltd. serving as the group manager. The group is the first in the world to achieve the certification for mozuku.
Based in Okinawa, Churayuna specializes in the production and distribution of mozuku (Cladosiphon okamuranus), a type of edible brown seaweed used in a range of dishes.
Established in 2010, the company works to bring Okinawan mozuku and other local foods to consumers in Japan and overseas and has sold internationally since 2018.
Growing demand for responsibly produced seaweed
The edible seaweed market is growing, driven by consumer interest in health and demand for sustainable food production. Global seaweed production has increased significantly over the past two decades, particularly in Asia, reaching 36.3 million tonnes in 2021.
Market interest is expanding to a wider range of seaweed species beyond kelp, wakame and nori. As more species enter domestic and international markets, independent certification can help producers demonstrate responsible farming practices and give customers and consumers greater confidence in how the products are produced.
The ASC-MSC Seaweed Standard is an international certification standard for responsible seaweed farming and harvesting. It assesses environmental impacts, the sustainable use of resources, effective management, working conditions and relationships with local communities.
Certification enables producers to demonstrate their environmental and social responsibility through independent third-party assessment. It can also enhance product credibility, differentiate certified products and support access to domestic and international markets.
Churayuna responds to demand for verified responsible production
Churayuna spent approximately one year preparing for certification, including aligning its farming practices and management processes with the requirements of the ASC-MSC Seaweed Standard. This preparation was followed by an independent assessment conducted by DNV.
The decision to pursue certification was driven in part by customer demand for independently verified responsible production. For Churayuna, it also provides an opportunity to differentiate its products from those from other production regions and support access to markets seeking certified products.
“Since the founding of Churayuna, our goal has been to share the quality and value of mozuku from Izena Island, Okinawa, with as many people as possible, not only within Japan but also overseas. Today, consumers look for more than just safety and quality in their food; they also value responsible production that considers the environment and society. By obtaining the ASC-MSC Seaweed certification, we can objectively demonstrate our efforts through an independent third party, which will also help further differentiate our Okinawan mozuku," said Yuna Kondo, representative of Churayuna Co., Ltd.
Expanding responsible certification to more seaweed species
While ASC-MSC seaweed certification is often associated with kelp farming, Churayuna’s certification demonstrates how the standard can also be applied to other brown seaweed species and different production environments.
"Congratulations to Churayuna and the producers of Izena Island, Okinawa, on this important achievement. Their commitment and collective effort have made this certification possible, and I am very pleased to see their work recognised through the ASC-MSC Seaweed certification. As the world's first mozuku production to achieve ASC-MSC Seaweed certification, this is a particularly meaningful achievement. It is also encouraging to see small-scale producers working together through a group approach, and we hope their experience can provide a useful example for other seaweed-producing communities across Asia," said Andy Yi, Head of Seaweed Program at the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) & Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC).
Adds Saravanan Gopal, Area Manager in Japan, DNV, “Congratulations to Churayuna on becoming the first company in the world to achieve ASC-MSC certification for mozuku. By applying the standard to seaweed cultivated in Okinawa's warm, shallow waters, Churayuna is helping to expand awareness of responsible seaweed production beyond traditional kelp farming and demonstrating the potential for sustainable practices across diverse seaweed species and farming environments. DNV is proud to support this achievement and will continue helping seafood and seaweed producers strengthen sustainability performance, build stakeholder trust, and enhance credibility in both domestic and international markets through independent third-party certification.”
