STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

Riverence, which grows steelhead in raceway-based farms along the Snake River in the Magic Valley, has become the first trout farm in the United States to receive certification from the globally recognized Aquaculture Stewardship Council.

The Aquaculture Stewardship Council is the world’s leading certifier for farmed seafood known as aquaculture. The ACS label appears only on food from farms that have been independently assessed and certified as being environmentally and socially responsible, according to the Aquaculture Stewardship Council’s Freshwater Trout Standard.

“It’s a big deal,” said Emily Olive, a spokesperson for Riverence.

It makes sure we’re looking out for the community, that we’re looking out for the environment, that we’re minimizing the use of hormones or antibiotics.”

Riverence, which farms steelhead in the Snake River in the Twin Falls and Thousand Springs areas, uses no genetic engineering, growth hormones, preventative antibiotics or PCBs. It raises its fish in pure spring water in what is considered the purest spring water in the world. It sources fish eggs from a reliable high pedigree egg supply cultivated in Washington State using high-grade feed ingredients for optimal nutrition.

Industry spokespeople say its fish are high in omega-3s and rich in astaxanthin, a powerful antioxidant that provides the flamingo its brilliant pink feathers.

Locally, it supplies fish for Atkinsons’ Markets.

Aquaculture producers more than half of the seafood eaten around the world. It is considered a growing player in providing healthy affordable protein to the world’s rapidly growing population in the future.

ACS has developed and manages the strictest standards in the industry. They involve hundreds of requirements regarding water quality, responsible sourcing of feed, disease prevention, animal welfare, the fair treatment and pay of workers and maintaining positive relationships with neighboring communities.