An increasing demand for sustainable seafood is currently confronted by restricted supply. The availability of sustainable seafood from fisheries is on the decrease, and it is becoming more and more important to structure the rapid growth in aquaculture and to challenge and implement good management practices.
The AquaGAP label was developed on customer request, with many retailers taking the decision to only source seafood from certified suppliers from 2010 onwards. Immediate action is required to bring farmers and processors, feed companies as well as hatcheries up to the standard of internationally recognized levels.
The AquaGAP label can be used on the international market and opens a wide range of new possibilities for farms implementing good practices and companies wishing to confirm the high quality of their aquaculture products.
The aim is to bring farming practices to an internationally recognized level and ensure consumer trust in quality seafood products. This programme is not limited to individual species or specific regions. The AquaGAP logo ensures that quality seafood from all regions can be recognised by importers/retailers and most importantly, the final customer. Besides the main focus on improving management practices and ensuring the good health of both the species under production and the surrounding environment, this standard includes aspects of social accountability and food safety. A crucial part of the implementation is complete product traceability, from the farm to the final consumer.
AquaGAP was developed by the Institute for Marketecology (IMO) and is owned by the non-profit Swiss Bio-Foundation. After many years of consultation with farmers, NGOs, government organizations and other stakeholders, Good Aquaculture Practices can now be certified for all species worldwide.