6 | Global Aquaculture Alliance
only helped distinguish the best operators
within a very competitive marketplace, it
has also provided the means to achieve
a certification that enables access to the
market. Markets throughout the world are
increasingly looking for the GAA label of
certified approval.
THE CERTIFICATION
PROCESS
To participate in the Best Aquaculture
Practices program, applicants are initially
provided with criteria documents which
allow for their own respective self-moni-
toring and review. When accepted, facili-
ties undergo a site inspection and present
specified production records for traceabil-
ity for at least three months.After success-
ful inspection, facilities pay a program fee
based on total annual seafood production
volume. Farms that wish to participate
in the BAP certification program may do
so individually (with or without a spon-
sor), or they may be organized as part of a
group of farms under the active assistance
of a sponsoring organization. Integrated
Operating Module (IOM) Farm Units are
groups of medium to small-sized farms
that have been organized under the spon-
sorship of a processor, farmer cooperative
or association, or other legally recognized
entity. Certification can be achieved in a
range of processes as criteria has been
customized for everything from finfish
and crustacean farm standards, seafood
processing/repacking plant standards,
salmon farm standards, mussel farm stan-
