June 7, 2016

The Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Colombia's Federación Colombiana De Acuicultores (FEDEACUA).

The signing ensures that Colombian farmers, processors, hatchery operators and feed manufacturers are able to access the Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) third-party certification programme to comply with local and international market requirements.

FEDEACUA committed to provide the support and funding necessary for farms, processing plants, hatcheries and feed mills to apply for BAP certification.

The agency set aside US$150,000, which will go toward BAP certification.

In exchange, GAA agreed to provide the education and training necessary for facilities to apply for BAP certification, serving as an effective tool to develop broad-based sustainable aquaculture in Colombia.

Additionally, GAA, through the BAP market development team, agree to promote BAP-certified facilities in Colombia to retailers and foodservice companies worldwide.

"FEDEACUA has set an excellent example of how government and the private sector can work harmoniously to improve responsible aquaculture in a country," said Marcos Moya, BAP's market development manager for supply chain. "This represents real change on the water for the responsible aquaculture movement."