A draft of the Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) hatchery and nursery standards for finfish, crustaceans and mollusks is now available for public comment until 31 March 2014.
These standards apply to all species for which BAP farm standards exist, including shrimp, salmon, tilapia, catfish, pangasius and mussels.
They apply to all aquaculture facilities that produce eggs and/or juvenile aquatic animals for live transfer to other aquaculture facilities. Production facilities include ponds or tanks on land with directed inflows and outflows of water, trays located intertidally on the foreshore, or rafts or cages (net pens) floating in a body of water. They do not apply to facilities that produce only aquatic animals for harvest and slaughter for human consumption.
Currently, BAP hatchery standards exist for only shrimp. Once finalised, the new BAP hatchery standards for finfish, crustaceans and mollusks will replace the existing BAP shrimp hatchery standards. Also, the new BAP hatchery standards would allow companies to pursue four-star designation for species such as salmon, tilapia, catfish and pangasius.
BAP Standards Coordinator Daniel Lee has urged all interested parties to review the draft, adding that all properly submitted comments would receive responses and would potentially influence the finished piece.
To submit comments, use the electronic form at www.gaalliance.org/bap/comments.php, email Mr Lee at dangaelle@aol.com or send a fax to +44-1248-716729.
