Norway gets its first BAP-certified fish farms
Kvarøy Fiskeoppdrett has become the first salmon farmer in Norway to be awarded Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) certification, the Global Aquaculture Alliance has announced.
The fish farmer, which is based on Kvarøy Island within the Arctic Circle and is known outside Norway as Kvarøy Arctic, achieved certification for two sites, at Movikodden and Selsøyvær.
Kvarøy plans to pursue BAP certification for its remaining three farm sites as well as its processing plant, hatchery and feed mill to attain BAP four-star designation, GAA said in a press release.
Highest standards
“It’s our intention to secure the full four-star rating and we’re in the process of that review now,” said Kvarøy Fiskeoppdrett chief executive Alf-Gøran Knutsen. “This is an important first step for our company to demonstrate our commitment to the highest sustainability standards, and an example that we hope our peers in Norway will follow.”
“We are very proud to attain BAP certification,” said Eirin Silvik, Kvarøy’s quality manager. “To be awarded BAP certification is a testament to our commitment to sustainable practices at our salmon farm sites. This would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of our exceptional staff.”
A significant first
Iain Shone, BAP’s director of market development-Europe, said: “We are thrilled to have Kvarøy as part of the BAP program. These particular salmon farm certifications mark a significant first for us in Norway, and we’re proud to call Kvarøy Fiskeoppdrett a new BAP producer partner.”
Kvarøy Arctic already has Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) and Global G.A.P. certification and its salmon are among a small number of farm-raised fish certified by the American Heart Association’s Heart-Check program.
