Anniversary: Five Years Of BAP-Certified Salmon Farms
British Columbia’s salmon-farming industry is celebrating five years of commitment to the Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) third-party certification program with the five-year anniversary of the world’s first BAP-certified salmon farm.
Cermaq Canada’s Brent Island salmon farm, located near Campbell River, British Columbia, attained BAP certification five years ago this month, becoming the first farm to do so since the adoption of the BAP salmon farm standards in June 2011.
British Columbia’s salmon-farming industry has embraced BAP, the world’s most comprehensive third-party aquaculture certification. Currently, a total of 62 salmon farm sites in British Columbia are engaged in the BAP program between three producers – Cermaq Canada, Marine Harvest Canada and Grieg Seafood BC, all members of the BC Salmon Farmers Association (BCSFA).
That means they are currently BAP certified or between audits because the farm sites are fallow. British Columbia is the world’s only region with 100 percent of its Atlantic salmon farms certified to the BAP standard.
“Our members have shown a demonstrable commitment to sustainable and responsible salmon farming, with their third-party audited performance to the BAP salmon farm standards serving as a prime exhibit,” said Jeremy Dunn, Executive Director of the B.C. Salmon Farmers Association.
“We commend British Columbia’s salmon producers, and salmon producers throughout Canada, for embracing the BAP program since the adoption of the BAP salmon farm standards five years ago,” said GAA President George Chamberlain. “By obtaining BAP certification, producers are actively showing their commitment not only to environmental responsibility but also to social responsibility, food safety, and animal health and welfare.”
The full-cycle value chain of salmon aquaculture is BAP certified in British Columbia, with 11 certified salmon hatcheries, three processing plants and two feed mills serving the aquaculture industry.
About BAP
A division of the Global Aquaculture Alliance, Best Aquaculture Practices is an international certification program based on achievable, science-based and continuously improved performance standards for the entire aquaculture supply chain – farms, hatcheries, processing plants and feed mills – that assure healthful foods produced through environmentally and socially responsible means. BAP certification is based on independent audits that evaluate compliance with the BAP standards developed by the Global Aquaculture Alliance.
About B.C. Salmon Farmers Association
B.C. salmon farmers grow 58 percent of all salmon raised in Canada and account for 60 percent of the total landed value of seafood in British Columbia, generating more than $1.14 billion towards the provincial economy. The BCSFA represents the province’s vibrant and diversified salmon aquaculture sector, inclusive of companies raising salmon, as well as the businesses that proudly provide services and supplies.
