March 8, 2016

The Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA) and IDH, The Sustainable Trade Initiative, will strengthen their collaborative relationship.

The announcement was made during the Seafood Expo North America.

GAA will build an iBAP "pillar" within the IDH-operated FIT Fund, which is designed to catalyse change and co-fund aquaculture improvements worldwide.

The organisation intends to act as an "implementing partner," responsible for technical supervision, monitoring and reporting, and execution of iBAP projects qualifying for the Fund.

"IDH endorses GAA's iBAP programme as it supports producers to move towards more responsible farming practices by achieving BAP certification," said Aldin Hilbrands, IDH's programme director. "Key issues for our FIT Fund are health management and feeding practices; both are captured within the BAP standard. We look forward to develop this partnership and expand the joint impact of our programmes."

"IDH has such great experience in creating and co-funding successful aquaculture improvement programmes through many sectors worldwide," said Iain Shone, GAA's development director. "With their experience and support, we can get many more facilities to enroll into iBAP. The beauty of this partnership is being able to move quickly into training on the ground and help facilities progress quickly and towards successful certification."