#USA #Global Seafood Alliance #Portsmouth #BAP #BSP

Transforming Seafood Operations: GSA's Impact in 2025

The Global Seafood Alliance (GSA) has made remarkable strides in promoting best practices in seafood production, with significant outcomes recorded in 2025. The GSA's certification standards, namely the Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) and Best Seafood Practices (BSP), have prompted certified producers to implement a total of 7,808 documented enhancements across various seafood operations. This dynamic change represents a strong commitment within the industry towards achieving operational excellence and responsible seafood sourcing.

Certification and Improvements

To qualify for GSA certifications, participants must address non-conformities identified during thorough third-party audits. This requirement has led to notable improvements in several critical areas:

• - Food Safety: 2,523 improvements
• - Social Accountability: 2,542 improvements
• - Environmental Responsibility: 1,950 improvements
• - Animal Welfare: 505 improvements
• - Traceability: 288 improvements

These enhancements collectively demonstrate how GSA's standards foster an environment of continuous development and adherence to ethical practices. By the end of 2025, total certified production levels surged to over 3.2 million metric tons, marking a significant milestone in the progress of the seafood sector.

Growth and Engagement

In 2025, the number of certified producers grew by 3%, culminating in a robust network of 4,308 producers across 45 countries. This diverse pool includes 563 processing plants, 3,223 farms, 364 hatcheries, and 158 feed mills. Furthermore, the program witnessed the commitment of over 200 retail and foodservice entities worldwide, all dedicated to sourcing seafood from BAP-certified producers. This robust market support reflects a growing recognition of third-party certification's value.

The data about producer retention also emphasizes the program's effectiveness, with an impressive 86% retention rate for BAP participants in 2025. Additionally, GSA certified 16 vessels by year's end, enhancing the overall integrity and reach of certified seafood.

CEO Insights

Mike Kocsis, CEO of GSA, expressed pride in the nearly 8,000 improvements logged across certified facilities. He attributed this success to the industry's commitment to progress and acknowledged the producers and partners who actively endorse third-party certification. Kocsis emphasized the importance of such initiatives in advancing responsible seafood practices on a global scale, underscoring the GSA team's dedication to promoting sustainable practices.

Milestones of 2025

The year was also significant for establishing benchmarks in certification achievements. For instance, Profand Vessels marked a historic moment as the first Argentine entity to secure BSP certification for their vessels. Simultaneously, Harimanada Co., Ltd. achieved the distinction of being the world's first BAP-certified oyster producer in Japan, while Yumbah Aquaculture claimed the same title in Australia. These pioneering steps reflect GSA's influence in addressing and championing responsible seafood production methods.

Looking to the future, GSA has made a commitment to end eyestalk ablation for BAP-certified producers by 2030, setting a progressive standard for ethical treatment of seafood species.

Additionally, GSA released global market research conducted by GlobeScan aimed at understanding consumer purchasing decisions concerning seafood and certification labels—a vital step in aligning production with consumer expectations.

Conclusion

Established in 1997, the Global Seafood Alliance is dedicated to advancing responsible seafood practices through education, advocacy, and certification. The GSA's certifications ensure that the seafood industry meets environmental, social, and safety standards globally. As GSA continues to grow and evolve, it is set to play an instrumental role in shaping the future of sustainable seafood practices worldwide. To discover more about GSA's initiatives and the impact of their certification programs, visit www.globalseafood.org.