Belizean shrimp is still trying to rebound from being wiped out by a viral infection in 2015 - but, the rare bit of good news is that - according to the experts - the world's most ethical and sustainable shrimp comes from Belize.
A program called the "Aquaculture Stewardship Certification", which sets standards for environmental sensitivity, reduced use of chemicals and antibiotics, and excludes child labor, while achieving a positive impact on local communities has given Belize's shrimp industry a high rating.
An IDB release notes that the requirements are so strict that no more than 20% of farms worldwide would be able to meet the standards. But, Belize took on the challenge and by 2015, 90% of the country's shrimp farms had been certified, making Belize the first country in the world where almost all shrimp produced is socially and environmentally sourced.
The release adds that "as soon as the Belize shrimp farms obtained the certification, several British supermarkets, including Marks & Spencer and Sainsbury's, pledged to buy exclusively their shrimp under a premium sales stamp.
But, that was before the fall. In. 2015 the viral infection devastated shrimp farms. Still, today, eight shrimp farms have been certified by the ASC and three others are in the process of certification. Also, "Belize will become the first nation in the world to implement a biosafety protocol that covers the entire country and does so in an environmentally friendly way, in accordance with the ASC certification. "
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