Aquaculture certification discussed
A former Wal-Mart executive tells fish farmers to embrace certification of their products and production methods through the adoption of his Global Aquaculture Alliance program. Claiming that “The Global Aquaculture Alliance is an international, non-profit trade association dedicated to advancing environmentally and socially responsible aquaculture, GAA recognizes that aquaculture is the only sustainable means of increasing seafood supply to meet the food needs of the world's growing population. Through the development of its Best Aquaculture Practices certification standards, GAA has become the leading standards-setting organization for aquaculture seafood”.
Following the conference, ABC News reports;
An international aquaculture group wants the Australian seafood industry to use a global standards system. A seafood conference in Hobart has heard the international certification covers the production chain from the hatchery through to processing. Peter Redmond from the Global Aquaculture Alliance says while Australia's seafood industry has a great reputation, customers overseas are looking for the global certification. "Somebody needs to check the checker. I think that when you go into an international market, that an international market wants an assurance."
"I can tell you that I sell backpacks and my backpacks are the best thing in the world and everyone in my village will tell you that. Problem is, if I go sell it to a city, the city wants to know whose checked it then," he said.
The Managing Director of Seafood Services Australia Ted Loveday says while the industry here will look at the system, Australia already abides by the toughest environmental guidelines in the world. "I think people need to make sure that whichever brand or standard they adopt is good for their business." "In Australia we already operate to the most stringent regulatory framework in the world for fisheries and aquaculture and what we need to do is make sure that industry has the platform to get recognition for its achievements."
