Salmones Camanchaca''s salmon processing plant in Tome, Chile, has been two star certified by the Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) programme, making it the first two-star salmon facility in the Southern Hemisphere.

Salmones Camanchacas is now two star BAP certified Photo: Salmon Farm Protest Group/Marine Photobank

Salmones Camanchacas is now two star BAP certified Photo: Salmon Farm Protest Group/Marine Photobank

The salmon processing plant distributes fresh and frozen salmon fillets and portions in a range of sizes under the Camanchaca and Pier 33 brand names. A further three farms in the Los Lagos region of Chile are due to be BAP certified this month.

Peter Redmond, vice president of development, BAP, said: “Chile is a truly major salmon producing region, so it is exciting for us to recognise Camanchaca's multiple certifications. This achievement represents its considerable continued efforts to comply with the BAP standards for environmental and social responsibility.”

BAP two star certification is based on independent audits and means a company has set up integrated operations with a direct, traceable link between BAP certified farm and processing facilities.

Camanchaca is an 8,200sqm plant and has over 9,600sqm of freezer storage. With the ability to process almost 5,000 tonnes of salmon a month, the farm units usually harvest 4,000 tonnes of salmon per cycle.