More certified salmon coming out of B.C.
On its web site, the GAA states that; “To promote responsible practices across the aquaculture industry, the Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA) coordinates the development of Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) certification standards for hatcheries, farms, processing facilities and feed mills. The BAP program drives continued improvements via high standards that deliver significant benefits industry wide”.
It was Mainstream Canada that was the first salmon farming company in the world to announce the certification of one of its B.C. farms under the GAA BAP standards program back in December last year. Grieg Seafood B.C. earlier this month announced the awarding of BAP certification to four more of its Canadian operations, making it the first salmon farming company in the world to have multiple farm sites certified under the GAA program. By this latest announcement, Grieg had a total of eight of the company’s active farms certified. Nine other farm sites are currently undergoing routine fallowing.
This week it was Marine Harvest that broke the news that it has also embarked on a program to have its B.C. farms certified under the same program with the following release issued today;
The bar has been raised for British Columbia’s largest agricultural export. Marine Harvest Canada (MHC), BC’s largest supplier of BC farm-raised salmon, announced today that it has achieved the Global Aquaculture Alliance’s Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) certification at five marine salmon farm sites. Third party audits of the BAP Salmon Farms standard will continue at all remaining MHC salmon farms. Successful certification of these additional sites will guarantee a continuous supply of certified product for Marine Harvest Canada customers. “We are extremely pleased to have achieved this certification milestone which demonstrates our commitment to environmental integrity and continual improvement throughout our operations,” states Clare Backman, Sustainability Director.
The BAP standard for Salmon Farms ensures the environmental impacts of aquaculture – water quality, feed resource conservation, fish escapes and wildlife interaction – are reduced or eliminated. It also covers community, animal health and welfare as well as food safety aspects of farming operations. “BAP certification ensures that Marine Harvest Canada is responsive to the interests of our customers and the communities in which we operate,” says Paula Galloway, Certification Manager. “It validates that our farming practices protect the environment for local wildlife as well as our fish while providing a safe and effective working environment for Marine Harvest Canada staff”.“ Consistent practices that ensure environmental responsibility are imperative throughout our production. Our customers expect these high standards at all Marine Harvest Canada sites, not just a select few. Therefore, all marine farms will undergo BAP Salmon Farms standard audits prior to market,” Backman added.
Today’s certification announcement is an important step in the company’s interest in receiving a full “4 star rating” from BAP, which will include certification of all its salmon farms, processing plants, feed mill suppliers and freshwater hatcheries. The Global Aquaculture Alliance, the leading standards-setting organization for aquaculture seafood, is an international, non-profit trade association whose Best Aquaculture Practices program provides comprehensive, metrics-based certification for aquaculture facilities -- including farms, hatcheries, feed mills and processing plants.
