Current News
GAA Welcomes Public Comments on BAP Pangasius Standards -- January 2010
Drafts of the new Best Aquaculture Practices standards for Pangasius farms are now posted for public comment. Interested parties must submit comments by March 31. The new standards apply only to facilities that raise Pangasius in ponds. GAA Expands E-Communications for 2010 -- January 2010
The Global Aquaculture Alliance is updating its communications program for 2010 with an expanded focus on electronic media. Look for a new website design and new digital magazine, as well as more frequent issues of the GAA Update e-mail newsletter. GAA Memberships Change for 2010 -- January 2010
The new year presents new ways to support responsible aquaculture, as the Global Aquaculture Alliance has revised its membership structure. GAA’s new Individual Membership level provides benefits not previously offered. Pete Bridson Joins BAP Standards Oversight Committee -- October 2009
Pete Bridson, aquaculture research manager at the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Department of Conservation Outreach, has been appointed to the Standards Oversight Committee that oversees the development of the Global Aquaculture Alliance Best Aquaculture Practices certification program.
The Best Aquaculture Practices certification process will transition from using individual evaluators to inspect facilities to coordinating with inspectorates certified by the International Organization for Standardization during 2010. All evaluators must meet basic education and experience requirements, and receive BAP training.
Sodexo, a leading food and facilities services management company, will require Best Aquaculture Practices certification for all of its contracted purchases of aquaculture seafood products sold in North America by 2015. The decision is a key step in sourcing sustainable seafood throughout the company's global operations.
GAA Statement on WWF-GLOBALGAP Linkage -- June 2009
As the global leader in the development of science-based aquaculture standards, the Global Aquaculture Alliance supports any effort to advance the development of responsible aquaculture. However, work with retailers in particular has shown that they want the "one-stop shop" that BAP provides -- not an approach of having to patch together various programs that cover only a portion of what BAP offers. Salmon Technical Committee Membership Confirmed -- June 2009
The BAP Standards Oversight Committee recently approved the membership of the new Salmon Farm Technical Committee, a 12-person group that will draft Best Aquaculture Practices certification standards for salmon farms. The technical committee includes representatives from industry, the NGO community and academia.