Gold River, BC – The Global Aquaculture Alliance, the leading standards-setting organization for aquaculture seafood, has awarded its Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) certification to three additional farms operated by Skuna Bay, Vancouver Island Craft Raised Salmon and owned by Grieg Seafood BC. With a total of 11 farms now BAP certified, Skuna Bay continues its commitment to only source its salmon from BAP certified farms.

“Our Craftsman Farmers have been tending our farms using Best Aquaculture Practices’ high standards since 2011 when our first four sites were certified followed by another four in 2012. We at Skuna Bay are now extremely proud to broaden that certification to include an additional three sea farms now totaling 11,” said Dave Mergle, Director, Skuna Bay Salmon.

Under BAP’s stringent policies, each new Skuna Bay farm of young salmon must be newly certified—and that certification concludes a year later.

“Most importantly, 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.

To attain certification, each farm is 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.

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.

The Global Aquaculture Alliance’s review process involved an audit of Skuna Bay’s social responsibility, food safety, animal welfare, traceability and biosecurity processes and systems. In addition, the review included a visit to its farms. Best Aquaculture Practices certification standards for salmon farms incorporate ongoing guidelines and quantitative criteria for veterinary care, nets, and feed content and ratios.

“Skuna Bay’s commitment to certify all their salmon farms to the prestigious BAP standards demonstrates their leadership in responsible aquaculture and assures the confidence of the marketplace”, said GAA President George Chamberlain. “This full certification will encourage and inspire aquaculturists around the world to seek this global standard of excellence”.

“Skuna Bay Salmon are raised by craftsmen farmers who use their judgment, experience and passion to monitor the well-being of their salmon at our remote sites every day. Our salmon are harvested and cleaned by hand so they arrive in the chef’s kitchen pristine, firm and ocean-fresh,” said Mergle. “Chefs and diners can see and taste the premium quality of Skuna Bay Salmon. With Best Aquaculture Practices certification they also have the assurance that it’s raised and harvested responsibly.”