HQSM tilapia and shrimp certified by ACC

HQ Sustainable Maritime Industries, Inc., announced that its tilapia grow out operations and processing operations for tilapia and shrimp have been certified by the Aquaculture Certification Council, Inc. (ACC).

The certification makes HQSM the only Hainan-based ''Two Star'' certified facility.

HQSM is one of the few tilapia producers in the world to receive the certification, said William More, ACC vice president and director, referring to the Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) standards for tilapia developed by the Global Aquaculture Alliance.

More said compliance with BAP standards is of growing importance as many retail and foodservice buyers now require their seafood providers to meet independent, third-party qualification to ensure product quality.

More congratulated HQSM on this achievement and encouraged consumers to look for ACC-certified aquaculture products as a measure of security.

The HQSM grow out facilities and plant in China are certified annually in accordance with US HACCP quality control regulations, as required by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Economic Community (EU) Code assignment of quality, permitting its products to be sold in these international markets.

HQSM's nutraceutical plant also has a certification of Chinese Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP). In addition, China has developed an advanced quality monitoring standard for aquaculture management for all exported products which has been made even more demanding through the recent Food Safety Legislation.

HQSM uses an all natural method which is now extended to its feed produced in its recently completed feed mill. Prior to harvesting, HQSM conducts its own testing in addition to efforts by the China Inspection Quarantine, which adhere strictly to the FDA requirements for tilapia.

HQSM is an integrated aquaculture and aquatic product processing company with operations based in the environmentally pristine island province of Hainan in China's South Sea.