GAA Seeks Standards Oversight Committee Member
The Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA) is looking to fill an open position on its 12-member Standards Oversight Committee (SOC). The position is for a representative of the non-governmental conservation community.
GAA coordinates the development of the Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) certification standards for seafood processing plants, farms, hatcheries and feed mills. The standards are developed and continually updated through production method-specific technical committees and under the guidance of the SOC. The SOC is comprised of members with broad stakeholder representation — one-third conservation, one-third academia and one-third industry.
The position became available when Dawn Purchase, aquaculture program manager for U.K.-based Marine Conservation Society, stepped down from the SOC after six years of service.
Candidates must work for a not-for-profit non-governmental organization (NGO) with an interest in supporting environmentally and socially responsible aquaculture as well as a belief in financially sound aquaculture. Candidates must have a good understanding of the global aquaculture sector. Ideally, this would include technical expertise in hatcheries or farms, scientific expertise in various aquaculture production methods and the environmental challenges associated with each, knowledge of human rights issues, and an understanding of the farmed seafood value chain.
SOC members review emerging issues, vote on draft standards and consider revisions to new and existing standards. They must also impartially consider other members’ positions as well as public comments on draft standards. Following public comment, SOC members vote on final standards.
SOC members are unremunerated, but reasonable travel and accommodation expenses are reimbursed for NGO members in line with SOC policy. Members typically contribute up to 10 days per year to SOC meetings, which are usually held in conjunction with existing events such as GAA’s annual GOAL conference, Seafood Expo Global, Seafood Expo North America and the SeaWeb Seafood Summit.
If interested in applying, please contact GAA Director of Strategic Engagements Melanie Siggs at melanie.siggs@aquaculturealliance.org or BAP Standards Coordinator Dan Lee at dan.lee@aquaculturealliance.org by Thursday, Nov. 30. Short-listed candidates will be contacted by Friday, Dec. 15, with a candidate being appointed by year’s end.
