Aquaculture Stewardship Council Fires Back at Senate Over Certification Safety Concerns

The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) is pushing back hard against US Senate criticism over seafood safety failures, emphasizing that none of its certified products were implicated in contamination cases that triggered a congressional investigation—while revealing significant enforcement actions within its own program.

In a detailed 12-page response to the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, ASC CEO Chris Ninnes defended the organization's certification program after Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) questioned major seafood certification bodies about recurring safety failures among...

ADM's Bern Aqua Becomes Belgium's First BAP-Certified Feed Producer

ADM subsidiary Bern Aqua has become Belgium's first Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP)-certified feed producer, the Global Seafood Alliance announced June 11.

The certification covers Bern Aqua's Olen feed mill, which specializes in hatchery and nursery feeds for shrimp and fish across more than 50 countries. GSA said the milestone "underscores growing industry demand for greater traceability, responsible sourcing and third-party certified feed production."

"We are incredibly proud of this certification, which marks an important step forward in our mission to deliver superior nutrition solutions for...

Global Seafood Alliance Unveils Expanded Agenda for 25th Responsible Seafood Summit in Bangkok

The Global Seafood Alliance (GSA) has rolled out an expanded agenda for this year’s Responsible Seafood Summit, marking the event’s 25th edition. The conference will take place September 21–24 at the Shangri‑La Bangkok and is being hosted in partnership with The Center for Responsible Seafood.

Designed as a four‑day gathering for seafood professionals across the supply chain, the Summit will combine conference sessions, networking events and optional industry field trips. Organizers say the updated program is intended to deliver...

The International Fish Feed Company is World’s First BAP-Certified Feed Mill in Oman

The International Fish Feed Company (IFFC) is the first feed mill in Oman to attain Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) certification, Global Seafood Alliance (GSA) has announced.

IFFC was established in 2023 with a state-of-the-art facility and boasts an annual production capacity of 31,200 metric tons of high-quality aquafeed, supporting responsible growth in the aquaculture sector in Oman and the region.

Said Ajit Jacob, Chief Operating Officer of International Fish Feed Company, “Achieving the Best Aquaculture Practices...

Global Seafood Alliance at Seafood Expo North America 2026

Seafood Expo North America (SENA) is almost here, and Global Seafood Alliance is gearing up for another energizing few days in Boston. Taking place March 15–17, 2026, SENA brings together the global seafood community for connection, collaboration, and conversations that shape the future of our industry.

Throughout the show, the GSA team will be on site (come say hi to us at Booth 2065!) and ready to connect — whether you’re stopping by to learn more about our certification programs, explore what’s new...

Global Seafood Alliance Bans Eyestalk Ablation for BAP Shrimp Suppliers by 2030

The Global Seafood Alliance (GSA) announced that it will require all shrimp producers certified to its Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) standards to cease eyestalk ablation, or stop sourcing shrimp postlarvae from hatcheries that use the practice, by the end of 2030.

Eyestalk ablation has become a contentious issue as it involves “the pinching, cauterizing or surgical removal of a broodstock female shrimp’s eyestalk” as a breeding technique that prompts the spawning process. For nearly 40 years, this has been a standard practice within the industry.

Japanese Company Becomes World’s First BAP-Certified Oyster Producer

Yesterday, the Global Seafood Alliance (GSA) announced that Japanese oyster producer Harimanada Co., Ltd. (HCL) became the world’s first BAP-certified (Best Aquaculture Practices) oyster producer in Japan with the certification of its processing plant.

“Attaining BAP certification for the first time in the oyster industry in Japan is a significant milestone for our company,” commented HCL President and CEO Hiroyasu Nagara.

“Building on our ISO 22000 certification and government designation as a flagship production area, we’re expanding globally to deliver responsible, delicious oysters to Southeast Asia, the Middle East and..."

Senators Question Seafood Certification Programs Over Safety Failures

Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) are demanding answers from major seafood certification programs about recurring safety failures among certified processors, according to a May 27 letter campaign targeting industry leaders.

The senators sent letters to the Global Seafood Alliance, Marine Stewardship Council, and Aquaculture Stewardship Council, questioning how these programs address food safety gaps in certified supply chains. The inquiry stems from mounting evidence that certified processors continue shipping unsafe products to US consumers.

"Between August and October 2025, the FDA issued eight safety alerts on imported...

GSA Appoints Libby Woodhatch and Jeremy Woodrow to its Board of Directors

The Global Seafood Alliance (GSA) has appointed Libby Woodhatch, Executive Chair of MarinTrust, and Jeremy Woodrow, Executive Director of the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI), to its Board of Directors.

“We are thrilled to welcome Libby and Jeremy to the GSA Board of Directors,” said GSA CEO Mike Kocsis. “Both bring deep expertise and leadership across critical areas of the seafood value chain—from responsible sourcing and certification to global marketing and market development.”

Together, Woodhatch and Woodrow bring nearly three decades of industry...

GSA Highlights Transformative Advances in Sustainable Seafood

In a landmark year for sustainable seafood practices, producers certified under the Global Seafood Alliance's (GSA) Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) and Best Seafood Practices (BSP) programs made substantial strides in 2025. These certified entities recorded a total of 7,808 enhancements across their global operations, reinforcing the seafood industry's dedication to sustainable and responsible practices.

By the end of 2025, certified production at the plant level surpassed a significant 3.2 million metric tons. This achievement stems from the rigorous requirements of GSA certification, which demands rectifying...

Thailand to Host 25th Global Seafood Alliance Responsible Seafood Summit

The Global Seafood Alliance (GSA) is set to host its 25th annual Responsible Seafood Summit at the prestigious Shangri-La Bangkok, a 5-star luxury hotel in Thailand, known as one of the world's leading regions for shrimp production.

Scheduled for the week of September 21, 2026, the summit marks a significant collaboration with The Center for Responsible Seafood (TCRS), infusing the event with the TCRS Shrimp Summit content.

Mike Kocsis, CEO of GSA, expressed enthusiasm for the strategic partnership, highlighting the unique opportunity...

Global Seafood Alliance Announces Keynotes, Full Program for Upcoming Responsible Seafood Summit

The Global Seafood Alliance (GSA) announced its keynote speaker lineup for its upcoming Responsible Seafood Summit, which will take place in Cartagena, Colombia, from September 29 to October 2.

“The seafood industry has a huge impact on hundreds of millions of people’s lives. The expert speakers we have convened will explore the ways in which seafood impacts global food security, human health, economies and the environment,” said Jamie Wright, Program Director for the Summit. “Our CEO Mike Kocsis will challenge attendees to think about the impacts that their...