Basa
What to check for
Location
Mekong Delta
Production method
Open net pen, freshwater
Certification
Global Seafood Alliance Best Aquaculture Practices (GAA BAP) 3*
Rating summary
Pangasius certified by the Global Seafood Alliance (GSA), formerly Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA), Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) are managed well and the Farm Standard mitigates many areas of environmental concern in farming, including habitat alteration; freshwater impacts; nutrient and organic pollution; escapes; interactions with local wildlife. The Farm Standard also has criteria in place to ensure animal welfare and humane slaughter. A 4* rating ensures compliance with the BAP Feed Mill Standard. However, there are still improvements that could be made, including the addition of a mandatory Environmental Impact Assessment, and no longer allowing the lethal control of predators to take place.Pangasius are omnivores and therefore are not heavily reliant on marine proteins and oils to form part of their diet. Pangasius requires no fish oil and only a small amount of fishmeal in their diet and therefore, they are a net producer of protein, rather than a consumer, and this may contribute towards future food security.This rating is based on full compliance with certification requirements. Commercial buyers should therefore ensure that full compliance has been achieved for this rating to be applicable.Rating last updated December 2024.
Technical consultation summary
Brooke tech summary (Summer 2024 - check alignment with Sarahs conclusions Winter 2024):The Global Seafood Alliance (GSA), formerly Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA), Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) 3* and 4* certifications address several issues of environmental concern in pangasius farming. The certification standard also requires audits, which consist of farm inspections and standard criteria enforcement.There are several issues of environmental concern associated with pangasius production, these include: habitat alteration; freshwater impacts; nutrient and organic pollution; escapes; interactions with local wildlife and enforcement of regulations. However, the GSA BAP 3* and 4* standards have criteria in place to ensure there is adequate animal welfare and humane slaughter.Pangasius are omnivores and therefore are not heavily reliant on marine proteins and oils to form part of their diet. Additionally, under the GSA BAP 3* and 4* standards, at least 50% of marine protein must be certified by MarinTrust or other GSSI (Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative)-recognised standards. Furthermore, the BAP certified Feed Mill standard requires 100% of palm oil in feeds to be 100% responsibly sourced, certified by RSPO (Round Table on Sustainable Palm Oil). Additionally, at least 50% of soy products should be sourced from standards that meet FEFAC Guidelines, which are traceable to countries that are deforestation free.However, the standard does not cover all aspects of environmental concern and allows the lethal control of predators to take place.It is only by sourcing certified pangasius that you can be assured that the issues of critical environmental concern are being addressed.This rating is based on full compliance with certification requirements. Commercial buyers should therefore ensure that full compliance has been achieved for this rating to be applicable.
