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		Over the past several years, the Global Aquaculture Alliance developed the Responsible Aquaculture Program to promote best management practices for aquaculture. The RAP program encourages the culture of safe, wholesome seafood in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. More importantly, it is also intended to improve the efficiency and long-term sustainability of the aquaculture industry.   The Responsible Aquaculture Program began as a straightforward set of "Guiding Principles for Responsible Aquaculture" that promote a cooperative approach to establishing aquaculture operations that reflect environmental, economic, and social sustainability. The principles call for minimal ecological impacts, water conservation, improved feed and drug use, and reductions in effluents.   The principles were then expanded upon as GAA's "Codes of Practice for Responsible Shrimp Farming". By applying the general guidelines contained in the codes, farm operators can evaluate the performance of their operations in such areas as food safety, mangrove conservation, effluent discharge, chemical use, and salinization. Social issues are also discussed.   After the codes were published, extensive reviews of international standards led GAA to establish a set of quantitative Best Aquaculture Practices standards for responsible shrimp farming that address social and environmental issues, as well as food safety and traceability. The standards specifically deal with property rights and regulatory compliance, community and employee relations, mangrove conservation, effluent and sediment management, soil and water conservation, postlarvae sources, drug and chemical management, microbial sanitation, and harvest and transport. BAP standards for several fish species are now under development.   RAP has progressed in depth and specificity throughout its development. However, it remains a voluntary program that is primarily educational in nature. To answer the industry's growing call for more formal recognition of sustainable practices, GAA aligned with Aquaculture Certification Council, Inc.   Aquaculture Certification Council, Inc. The nonprofit organization Aquaculture Certification Council, Inc. offers "process" certification for shrimp production facilities with a primary orientation toward seafood buyers. This international nongovernmental body exclusively applies GAA's Best Aquaculture Practices standards in a certification system that combines onsite inspection and effluent sampling with mandatory requirements for product safety and traceability. Click to visit the Aquaculture Certification Council, Inc. website for more information on BAP facility certification.   Global Aquaculture Alliance -- http://www.gaalliance.org  Feeding the World Through Responsible Aquaculture 5661 Telegraph Road, Suite 3A -- St. Louis, Missouri 63129 USA Telephone: 314-293-5500 -- Fax: 314-293-5525 -- E-mail: homeoffice@gaalliance.org [ Site contents copyright 2004 Global Aquaculture Alliance. All rights reserved. ]