BAP Program Grows With Public Comment on Salmon Standards

A draft of the new Best Aquaculture Practices standards for salmon farms, developed under the guidance of the Standards Oversight Committee of the Global Aquaculture Alliance, is now posted for public comment at www.gaalliance.org/bap/comments.php , reports www.megafishnet.com with reference to BAP.

"These standards mark another step in the progression of BAP as the world leader in aquaculture certification," GAA President George Chamberlain said. "Since salmon are such an important species to consumers and aquaculturists alike, the comments we receive will help lead to improved practices across the globe."

Comments can be sent via the online form on the GAA website or through e-mail or fax to BAP Standards Coordinator Daniel Lee dangaelle@aol.com, +44-1248-716729) or Technical Committee Chairman John Forster (salmonbap@gaalliance.org). Interested parties must submit comments by Jan. 10, 2011. All properly submitted comments will be acknowledged.

"We're looking for general input, of course, but also hope to collect ideas on several specific aspects of these standards," Forster said. "For example, what metrics should be used to evaluate escapes, and since sea lice challenges vary so greatly by species of fish, culture region and season, would recognition of localized lice control guidelines within area management agreements work better than specific BAP-defined values?"

The new BAP salmon farm standards -- which will join the BAP program's previous standards for shrimp, tilapia, channel catfish and Pangasius -- apply only to the saltwater cage and net pen production of Atlantic salmon, chinook salmon, coho salmon and rainbow trout. An annex to these standards will later address other salmonid culture systems.

In addition to social and environmental responsibility, the salmon farm standards encompass animal health and welfare, food safety and traceability. The standards address biodiversity protection and encourage cooperation among neighboring farms. They also require controlled use of chemical treatments and close monitoring of feed ingredients from marine sources.
 
For additional information on the comments process and Best Aquaculture Practices certification, contact Daniel Lee at +44-1248-712906, e-mail dangaelle@aol.com .

About BAP
The Best Aquaculture Practices program is a comprehensive, rigorous, metrics-based certification program for aquaculture -- including farms, hatcheries and processing plants. BAP standards cover the environment, social responsibility, animal welfare, food safety and traceability. For more information on BAP, visit www.gaalliance.org/bap/ .