Company ranked number one in report on environmental, corporate and social responsibility

Mainstream Canada and Cermaq are number one in the world when it comes to how they communicate about environmental, corporate and social responsibility.

The Cermaq group of companies, which includes Mainstream Canada, was ranked as number one in a benchmark report on the communication over environmental, corporate and social responsibility (CSR) amongst top salmonids farming and feed producing companies worldwide. Cermaq is also recognized for its pro-activeness which was demonstrated in the company's Joint statement on Sustainable Aquaculture with two Norwegian environmental NGOs.

The benchmark report published by Seafood Intelligence on August 11, 2011 aims to assess the quality and quantity of CSR (corporate social responsibility) information intentionally and pro-actively communicated by the top salmonid farming and feed-producing companies worldwide.

 Cermaq was ranked as number one in the report, achieving a score of 8.5 of a total of 10.  The report states:

The main Oslo Børs-listed players have in the past 2-3 years made great progress and some began reporting by GRI Indexing standards. But even in Norway, many are still sorely lagging 'behind' the three firms which clearly come ahead of the ranking/grading (...). We believe other salmon farmers would do well to study how those firms report on sustainability indicators.

"We are happy for this recognition of the quality of our reporting. An important purpose of our reporting is to be transparent about our operations and to reach out to our stakeholders," says Cermaq's acting CEO Tore Valderhaug.

 Cermaq reported for 2010 an integrated annual and sustainability report. The report was based on Global reporting Initiative (GRI) and expanded with customized indicators where GRI does not provide relevant indicators for the fish farming and feed operations. The sustainability report was externally reviewed by KPMG according to, ISEA 3000 and AccountAbility's standard AA1000 as a GRI report at level B+.

"We recognize that excellent reporting requires systematic and comprehensive contribution from all operating companies and all part of our organization. The assessment in this report inspires us and encourages us to improve further," Valderhaug continues.

The benchmark report was launched on the same day that Cermaq published the Joint Statement on Sustainable Aquaculture together with two NGOs; ForUm and Friends of the Earth Norway. The survey includes a comment:

The Joint statement regarding 'sustainable aquaculture' by Cermaq, Friends of the Earth Norway and Forum for Environment and Development (ForUM), further strengthens the company's sustainability commitment and will - we estimate - constitute a landmark statement in aquaculture industry/corporate communication on sustainable salmonfarming/aquaculture. This Joint statement further comforts – we believe – Cermaq's co-leadership position in terms of social, corporate and sustainability reporting/environmental responsibility in the realm of global aquaculture.

Cermaq creates value for shareholders through sustainable aquaculture. Cermaq's ambition is to be transparent and open for dialogue with external stakeholder, including NGOs that are critical to operations carried out by the company.  The joint statement is an important basis for future constructive cooperation with stakeholders.

More information about the Seafood Intelligence report, titled "World's Top 35 Salmon and Trout Firms' Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) & Environmental Sustainability Reporting and Communication" is available on the publication's website.

Further information - please contact:

Lise Bergan, Corporate Affairs Director, phone: +47 23 68 50 30, mobile: +47 932 51 114