Mainstream Canada’s Brent Island farm near Campbell River, British Columbia, is the world’s first salmon farm to be certified to the Global Aquaculture Alliance’s Best Aquaculture Practices farmed salmon standards, the company announced on Wednesday.
The BAP farmed salmon standards were finalized in June, a process that took more than two years.
Fernando Villarroel, Mainstream Canada’s managing director, said the company selected the BAP standards because they align with the company’s principles of sustainability.
“By meeting this new standards, we are proving our commitment to find ways to constantly improve our operations as part of our sustainability principles,” said Villarroel. “Our vision as part of the Cermaq Group is to be a global leader in the aquaculture industry and we are committed to creating value through sustainable aquaculture, which is our mission statement.
“The standards are dedicated to advancing environmentally and socially responsible aquaculture. They are made to continuously improve over time and they are the result of an international science-based certification program,” he added.
“The Global Aquaculture Alliance proudly congratulates Mainstream Canada for leading the industry in achieving the first BAP salmon farm certification,” said GAA President George Chamberlain said. “This prestigious accomplishment culminates a three-year development process for the standards that involved dedicated NGOs, academics and industry representatives working together to develop consensus-based salmon standards that benefit the community, the environment and consumers.”
This spring, the company was also the first salmon-farming company to receive Aboriginal Principles for Sustainable Aquaculture certification through the Aboriginal Aquaculture Association. In addition, the company received a COR award from the Food and Manufacturing Industry Occupational Safety Alliance of B.C., recognizing safe work practices.
