Continued progress in standards development and market reach was reported at the Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) Standards Oversight Committee (SOC) meeting held March 14 in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
In his introduction, GAA Executive Director Stevens summarized the overall progress of the BAP program. He referred to large posters and said market demand for “two-star” product from BAP-certified farms and processing plants is driving an increase in farm certification, particularly at tilapia facilities. Additional processors are becoming engaged in anticipation of the BAP salmon farm standards.
Stevens also described the proposed new organizational structure that would integrate the Aquaculture Certification Council (ACC) with GAA to manage the BAP certification process using ISO-accredited inspection bodies to conduct facility audits. Under the plan, the SOC would become part of the Responsible Aquaculture Foundation, a new body with charitable status. Within the foundation, Jeffrey Peterson would direct BAP’s education and training program.
Integrated Operating Modules
ACC President Jim Heerin joined Vice President Bill More and Peterson in providing an update on the Integrated Operating Module (IOM) program for multiple small shrimp farms.
In IOMs, a number of farms with similar production methods and combined total annual production not exceeding 4,000 mt can be grouped together. All undergo full inspections and participate in traceability, but modified administrative arrangements allow the farms to save on certification costs. Each IOM must have a written quality management system defining how the group is managed to meet BAP standards criteria.
Feed Standards
The BAP feed mill standards were approved for release pending final changes and review. Requested changes included a requirement that sources for all fishmeal and fish oil be certified to the International Fishmeal and Fish Oil Organisation (IFFO) Global Standard for Responsible Supply or Marine Stewardship Council Sustainable Fishery Standard within three years. Until that time, feed mills are required to develop a plan for transition to sustainable fishmeal sources.
Tilapia, Salmon Standards
Review of the BAP standards for tilapia farms saw a request to begin collecting fuel and energy use data so figures for direct energy use can be calculated. The SOC recommended the establishment of a minimum mean annual survival rate as an indicator of fish welfare. It was also suggested that the guidelines for predator control should be further strengthened and defined.
Progress continues to be made on the BAP standards for salmon farms. Jon Bryan of the Tasmanian Conservation Trust was approved to join the Salmon Farm Technical Committee. As at tilapia facilities, fuel and energy use data will be recorded. In the future, such topics as greenhouse gases, acidification, biotic resource utilization, accumulated energy and eutrophication potential may be addressed in the standards.
Introduced Species
The BAP standards require documented proof that it is legal to farm a species in a particular place. To strengthen this, the applicability of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) Code of Practice on the Introductions and Transfers of Marine Organisms 2005 was considered.
The code outlines requirements for member countries to consider ecological, genetic, disease and economic impacts prior to introducing a marine species. However, ICES only has 20 member countries, with no tropical or developing countries. It was concluded that the BAP program is functionally equivalent to the World Wildlife Fund tilapia standards regarding introduced species.
Social Accountability
Various options were discussed as to how to strengthen social accountability in the BAP standards. They could include a specific anti-discrimination clause and bans on forced or bonded labor. Interviews with workers could be conducted off site to allow more freedom in responses.
Collaboration between BAP and Fair Trade certification — which channels price premiums back to producers for social projects and community benefits — may be considered. In a presentation, Maya Spaull of TransFair explained that Fair Trade certification does not aim to duplicate BAP. The program addresses economic and social criteria in the production and trade of agricultural products, and wants to address environmental issues, but not through its own standards.
Audit Formatting
BAP’s shift to ISO-65-accredited certification bodies for inspections saw a corresponding shift in the audit documents. BAP’s original audit forms included critical and scored questions, while the new processing plant audit has eliminated all scored questions in favor of the yes/no responses typical of GFSI-compliant standards.
To make the program more consistent across facility types, possible solutions include converting scored questions “up” to critical or “down” to recommendations in the guidelines. Another option is to keep the scoring system, but identify persistent problem areas and then modify the standards accordingly. No decision on how to address the situation was made.
