Seafood farming production must increase to meet the world’s seafood needs. This type of farming, also known as aquaculture, currently provides half of all fish for human consumption, while at the same time lessening the heavy burden on wild-caught stocks and natural resources.

Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) is the world’s most trusted, comprehensive and proven third-party aquaculture certification program. We’ve been improving the environmental, social and economic performance of the aquaculture supply chain and growing the global supply of responsibly farmed seafood since 2002.

We’ve structured our program to ensure the highest level of integrity, with a team of staff members dedicated to ensuring that independent, third-party certification bodies (CBs) and auditors as well as BAP-certified aquaculture facilities are in compliance with program requirements.

Our standards for aquaculture, fisheries and salmonid-specific fisheries set the environmental sustainability bar for seafood. They undergo regular review to ensure the latest science and best management practices are incorporated into our Seafood Watch assessments.  Input into our standards review process is made through public and expert consultation, advisory committees and an annual meeting of the Multi-Stakeholder Group.

We support and drive continuous improvements in fisheries and aquaculture operations, with a focus on those that rate red or yellow whose practices can be improved.

We support the concept of independent eco-certification programs for seafood. We follow a process that allows for the identification of eco-certification standards that are equivalent to at least a Good Alternative. In addition to choosing from our Best Choices and Good Alternatives, seafood buyers can also look for eco-certified products we recommend.

Our seafood classification system is based on two categories: Ocean Wise Recommended or Not Recommended.

Ocean Wise seafood recommendations are generated from assessments using the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch (SFW) program methodology: Wild Capture Criteria and Aquaculture Criteria. Unlike the Seafood Watch three-tiered traffic light system of Red, Yellow, Green, Ocean Wise’s classification system is based on two categories: sustainable (Ocean Wise) or unsustainable (Not Recommended).

Ocean Wise recommendations are based on the following:

Wild Capture Fisheries with an Overall Score must be ≥ to 2.8 (out of 5)

The wild capture methodology is based on four main criteria:

1.  Impacts of the fishery on the stock in question

2.  Impacts of the fishery on other species

3.  Effectiveness of management

4.  Impacts on habitat and ecosystem

Ōra King salmon has once again shown it’s the premium choice for Kiwi chefs, receiving a four-star rating from the Global Aquaculture Alliance. The rating is the highest possible designation for responsible aquaculture production and means Ōra King is the first in the world to offer four-star Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) King salmon to the food service market.

“Put into restaurant terms, this is the equivalent of earning a Michelin star” says New Zealand King Salmon CEO and Managing Director Grant Rosewarne. “At Ōra King, we’ve always prided ourselves on supplying chefs with the finest quality King salmon that’s produced in a responsible and sustainable way, so we’re thrilled to have received this certification from the Global Aquaculture Alliance.

Verlasso has been a leader in sustainable practices for nearly a decade. We work closely with our local communities to reduce environmental impact with proven innovative sustainable farming techniques. Verlasso is pioneering new traditions in harmonious aquaculture and is a truly trusted source for sustainable quality salmon.

Located deep in the southern hemisphere, Chilean Patagonia offers the perfect environment for sustainable aquaculture. Featuring vast stretches of clean, cold, crystal clear water and strong ocean currents, the region is the perfect natural habitat for raising the finest farmed salmon. We never use hormones to grow our fish and always harvest at a smaller size to ensure the health of the population. No preventative antibiotics are ever used and our salmon has no antibiotics at harvest.

We are nested in the the windswept countryside, with spectacular glacial lakes, dramatic mountain ranges and clean, clear waters of Patagonia. It’s here that we raise our salmon with an ever-conscious eye towards their health and a commitment to protect the precious ecosystems surrounding our farms.