The Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA) is inviting the public to submit comments on a draft of the new Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) standards for finfish and crustacean farms.
The new standards and accompanying guidelines have been approved by the BAP Standards Oversight Committee (SOC) for public comment on the social and environmental responsibility of the aquaculture industry.
The new standards, which cover animal welfare, food safety and traceability, indicate a shift from the current species specific BAP standards that are separately adapted for shrimp, tilapia, pangasius and catfish. They now apply to all types of productions systems that raise finfish or crustaceans, with the exception of salmonids reared in cages, for which separate standards exist.
Wally Stevens, executive director, GAA, said: "A combined farm standard that addresses aquaculture by culture system rather than species is a logical progression for BAP. It opens up the programme to an even greater range of farmers and creates a consistent set of global performance targets. Incorporation of issues learned through individual species standards development also adds additional robustness to the new farm standards."
A draft of the new standards is now online at www.gaalliance.org/bap/comments.php
