Consumers now have access to more fish from Best Aquaculture Certified (BAP) facilities after the certification of several new processing plants in Ecuador and the United States.
The Aquamar and Produmar plants of Tropical Aquaculture Products, Inc. and its sister company, Tropical Aquaculture Europe, recently achieved BAP certification. The two large plants in Ecuador have a combined weekly exporting capacity over 225mt of tilapia fillets.
"As the aquaculture industry advances, retailers, consumers and producers are searching for common standards on social responsibility, environmental sustainability, food safety and traceability," Tropical President John Schramm said. "BAP now gives our customers these comprehensive certification standards designed to address both industry and NGO concerns."
Tropical's plants and farms also carry SQF 2000 level 3 and ISO certifications, and will continue them. "Currently, Tropical is focused on BAP certification across all plants and farms," Mr Schramm said. "This milestone exemplifies the group's commitment and willingness to invest in sustainable aquaculture operations."
Tropical Aquaculture Products is North America's leading fresh tilapia supplier. The vertically integrated company with processing and farm facilities in Ecuador, Colombia and Brazil produces, processes, and ships more than 9,000mt of fresh tilapia per year to global markets.
