Global Aquaculture Alliance to Form Oversight Committee to Advise on BAP Standards; Comments, Nominations Welcome

The Global Aquaculture Alliance announced during its Global Outlook for Aquaculture Leadership 2007 conference that it will form a 12-member Standards Oversight Committee to coordinate the development of its Best Aquaculture Practices certification standards for aquaculture facilities.

In this revision of the BAP standards development process, the SOC will manage public input, oversee the process of developing standards, and coordinate revisions to BAP standards. Its members will include equal representation from three key stakeholder groups: nongovernmental conservation and social justice organizations, academic institutions and regulatory agencies, and industry. 

GAA Executive Director, Wally Stevens, said a number of conservation stakeholders participated in the conception and design of the Standards Oversight Committee structure. Their input was invaluable in this enhancement of the BAP standards development process.

In the interest of further involving stakeholders in the BAP program, GAA is soliciting public comments on the proposed new standards development process through a page on the organization’s website.

The comment page includes an electronic comment form as well as a downloadable file that outlines how the SOC would function in coordination with GAA’s board and the BAP technical committees that draft standards. The 60-day comment period will end December 31.

While GAA has always sought input from a broad range of stakeholders in the development of its standards, it has come to recognize the importance of formalizing this process in a more structured and transparent manner.

“As aquaculture expands throughout the world, producers and marketers of cultured seafood products have recognized the benefits of broadly accepted standards that address a range of key issues -- including environmental and social responsibility, animal welfare, food safety, and traceability,” GAA President George Chamberlain said.

As the new SOC committee formalizes, nominations for its membership should be sent to BAP Standards Coordinator Daniel Lee by e-mail at dangaelle@aol.com or faxed to +44-0-1248-716729. Appointments to the SOC are expected to be made during the first quarter of 2008.