BAP Programme Reaches 1-Million-Metric-Ton Milestone

There were 204 BAP-certified plants handling the 1.004 million metric tons of one-star product at the end of October 2012, up from 158 plants at the end of October 2011.

Additionally, the annual quantity of product originating from BAP-certified farms has more than doubled over the past 12 months. At the end of October 2012, there were 251 BAP-certified farms handling 445,000 metric tons of product, up from 209 BAP-certified farms handling 209,000 metric tons of product at the end of October 2011.

Were having a wonderful year, said Wally Stevens, executive director of the Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA), at GAAs GOAL 2012 conference in Bangkok, Thailand, which wrapped up on 2 November. The number of facilities is up over 500 thats a 34 per cent increase in certified facilities in the BAP programme.

The majority of the growth within the BAP programme is attributed to salmon and Pangasius. Since Mainstream Canadas Brent Island salmon farm in British Columbia became the first salmon farm to earn BAP certification in December 2011, 41 salmon farms and eight salmon-processing plants have achieved BAP certification, handling 140,800 and 114,400 metric tons of product, respectively.

As for Pangasius, there were eight Pangasius farms handling 29,700 metric tons of product at the end of October 2012, compared to two farms handling 8,500 metric tons of product a year ago. Additionally, there were 14 Pangasius processing plants handling nearly 155,000 metric tons of product at the end of October 2012, compared to three plants handling 36,600 metric tons of product a year ago.

BAP tilapia production has also experienced growth. At the end of October 2012, 33 tilapia farms and 53 tilapia-processing plants had achieved BAP certification, handling 110,700 and 203,400 metric tons of product, respectively. Thats up 25 per cent and 24 percent, respectively, from a year ago. BAP production of shrimp and channel catfish - the other two species for which BAP standards exist - has remained fairly constant over the past 12 months.