The Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) programme recently gained its first three star salmon operation in North America - Northern Harvest Sea Farms.
To achieve its three star status, Northern Harvest had to partner with Skretting Canada, which has had two feed mills recently certified to BAP standards.
Seven of Northern Harvests' farm sites in eastern Canada are BAP certified already, allowing it to achieve its new star status. Its fish harvests are processed by its certified plant in New Brunswick.
Peter Redmond, vice president of development, BAP, said: “Northern Harvest is moving ahead as a leader in salmon certification. From plant to farms and now feed, the company is working hard to operate in a responsible way. We look forward to more and more facilities – both in North America and elsewhere – following their path."
Chris Beattie, general manager, North America, Skretting, added: “In the past two years, we have introduced sustainable raw material sourcing policies, a global carbon dioxide reduction target and ongoing R&D addressing areas of sustainability such as how to further reduce our use of fish oil. BAP certification is further recognition of our commitment to sustainability."
Northern Harvest Sea Farms plans to continue to expand its facilities and production.
BAP is an international certification programme based on achievable, science-based and continuously improved global performance standards for the entire aquaculture supply chain -- farms, hatcheries, processing plants and feed mills - it assures that food is produced through environmentally and socially responsible means.
