BAP shrimp standards now a ‘Good Alternative’

Seafood Watch will recommend that consumers, chefs and businesses consider farmed shrimp assessed under the Global Aquaculture Alliance’s (GAA) BAP standards as a ‘buy’ option.

The determination came after an extensive evaluation of BAP farm standards for finfish and crustaceans conducted by the Seafood Watch science staff. The process of benchmarking existing eco-certification programs against Seafood Watch criteria began more than two years ago when Seafood Watch business partners sought guidance in navigating a marketplace of proliferating global eco-certification programs.

In order to meet the ‘Good Alternative’ recommendation bar, the GAA strengthened its certification requirements for habitat mitigation, water discharge and escapes.

“Seafood Watch has benchmarked more than 30 fisheries and aquaculture eco-standards developed under robust eco-certification programs,” said Jennifer Dianto Kemmerly, director of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program. “We strongly support the concept of independent eco-certification programs to identify sustainable seafood options. Our benchmarking assessment is a way to recognise the growing number of robust programs in the marketplace.”