A draft of the comprehensive new Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) standards for finfish and crustacean farms is now posted for public comment at www.gaalliance.org/bap/comments.php.

Deadline for Comments: Jan. 31, 2013

Comments can be submitted using the electronic form or sent by e-mail or fax to BAP Standards Coordinator Daniel Lee -- dangaelle@aol.com, +44-1248-716729. Interested parties must submit comments by Jan. 31, 2013. 

The new BAP standards have a very wide scope and now apply to all types of production systems that raise finfish or crustaceans, with the exception of salmonids reared in cages, for which separate standards exist. This reflects a shift from the current species-specific BAP standards that are separately tailored for shrimp, tilapia, Pangasius and catfish.

\"A combined farm standard that addresses aquaculture by culture system rather than species is a logical progression for BAP,\" Global Aquaculture Alliance Executive Director Wally Stevens said. \"It opens up the program to an even greater range of farmers and creates a consistent set of global performance targets. Incorporation of issues learned through individual species standards development also adds additional robustness to the new farm standards.\"

The new standards and accompanying guidelines are provided online in PDF format. In addition to social and environmental responsibility, the standards encompass animal welfare, food safety and traceability. The continuously evolving BAP program sets achievable, science-based standards for the whole supply chain to encourage wide participation and effect positive changes within the aquaculture industry.

The BAP Standards Oversight Committee (SOC) approved the release of the new draft farm standards for public comment. All properly submitted comments will be published, receive responses and be referred to the SOC with corresponding proposed changes to the standards. 

For additional information on the comments process and Best Aquaculture Practices certification, contact Daniel Lee at +44-1248-712906, e-mail dangaelle@aol.com