FEED MILL OPERATIONS AT PARTNER EWOS CANADA NOW BAP CERTIFIED.

Gold River, BC – The Global Aquaculture Alliance, the leading standards-setting organization for aquaculture seafood, has awarded its Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) certification for feed operations to Ewos Canada Ltd., the exclusive provider of feed to Skuna Bay, Vancouver Island Craft Raised Salmon, owned by Grieg Seafood BC. This means that every single Skuna Bay Salmon delivered to the market is 3 BAP Star certified - from their sea farms through their processor and now their feed supplier.

“Our Craftsman Farmers have been tending our farms using Best Aquaculture Practices’ high standards since 2011 when our first sea farm sites were certified. It’s very gratifying to have our important partners at Ewos Canada join with our processor Walcan Seafoods as Best Aquaculture Practices certified partners. We are proud to say that now we have all of our fish BAP certified from feed operations to sea farms and then through to inspection, selection, preparation and packing,” said Dave Mergle, Director, Skuna Bay Salmon.

Ewos Canada has worked closely with Skuna Bay to meet their four important feed procurement objectives including reducing use of wild feeder fish to achieve a ‘fish in fish out’ ratio of almost 1:1; use only feeder fish from certified sustainable fisheries; procure locally in order to minimize carbon footprint; use the most healthful ingredients available for our salmon that is also healthy and safe for people. To attain certification, Ewos Canada was individually and personally inspected by an independent and certified auditor to ensure it meets specific criteria and standards. Best Aquaculture Practices unique and robust standards are developed by a committee of diverse stakeholders including leading progressive environmental and related advocacy organizations. Under BAP’s stringent policies, Ewos Canada must be audited and reassessed every year in order to retain the high standard of BAP certification.

“We have always said that we are committed to meeting and upholding Best Aquaculture Practices’ sustainability standards in all Skuna Bay salmon not only now, but in the future through ongoing certification,” said Mergle. “Having our feed supplier join us in this accomplishment by becoming themselves BAP certified is remarkable and demonstrates our commitment to the highest standards.”

Skuna Bay Salmon is raised in the ocean using environmentally and socially responsible practices to help meet the growing global demand for sustainable and nutritious food sources. The Global Aquaculture Alliance recognizes that aquaculture is the only sustainable means of increasing seafood supply to meet the food needs of the world’s growing population.

“We saw Global Aquaculture Alliance and Best Aquaculture Practices certification as a natural fit for Skuna Bay. We share the same values and passion for farming and sharing healthful, sustainable salmon,” said Mergle.

“Skuna Bay’s commitment to certify all their salmon farms to the prestigious BAP standards and now extending it to Walcan, their processing partner, demonstrates their leadership in responsible aquaculture and assures the confidence of the marketplace”, said GAA President George Chamberlain.