The Global Aquaculture Alliance is replacing its executive director, as Andrew Mallison, the former director general of IFFO, the marine ingredients trade organization, takes over the position currently held by Wally Stevens.
The nonprofit GAA, a trade association dedicated to advancing environmentally and socially responsible aquaculture, made the announcement Thursday, 15 February. Based in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, U.S.A., GAA developed and operates the Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) third-party certification program.
Wally Stevens, who has been the GAA’s executive director since 2007, is “stepping aside to focus on other strategic ventures within the organization," according to a press release. Stevens will stay on as executive director until Mallison leaves IFFO, which is not expected until his successor is in place, the GAA said in its release. Stevens will continue to serve on GAA’s board of directors and executive committee.
Under Stevens’ leadership, GAA grew the number and size of many of its programs, including the BAP certification program, its flagship. Stevens oversaw an increase in the number of BAP-certified processing plants, farms, hatcheries, and feed mills increased from around 100 to nearly 1,900 during his tenure.
“Also under Stevens’ direction, GAA…asserted itself as a leading voice for responsible aquaculture through its various communications vehicles, including the GOAL conference, Global Aquaculture Advocate online magazine, MyGAA online community, GAA Films, and Global Aquaculture Academy online learning platform,” GAA said in its release.
Mallison, who has headed IFFO since 2011, said he aims to continue that growth and leadership in his new role.
“The aquaculture industry has a huge contribution to make to the future of global food security, rural and developing world economies, and human nutrition. Wally Stevens, George Chamberlain, and the GAA team have created a successful organization that has proved aquaculture is responsible and progressive,” Mallison said. “I look forward to being a part of GAA’s future and contributing to its continued success.”
Mallison has experience with running a certification program in the form of the IFFO Responsible Supply (RS) standard for producers of fishmeal and fish oil. The program has grown since its first certification in 2010 to now include 134 sites in 17 countries, representing more than 40 percent of the global production of fishmeal and fish oil.
Before joining IFFO, Mallison worked as director of standards and licensing for the Marine Stewardship Council from 2009 to 2011, and as global sourcing manager for seafood at Marks & Spencer, a retailer based in the United Kingdom, from 1996 to 2009. He also previously held positions as technical manager for Maple Leaf Foods and as technical director for Premier Foods (UK) Ltd.
“We are delighted that Andrew Mallison is joining GAA at an exciting time in our evolution,” Stevens said. “Over the years, GAA has embraced pioneers who look with an open mind to finding solutions to the challenges facing our industry. Andrew is but the latest pioneer to lead GAA in our pursuit of an industry that is increasingly responsible and sustainable.”
