Around 80 organizations from around the world have called for the revocation of sustainability certifications for salmon and trout farmed in Tasmania's Macquarie Harbour, branded as "misleading" for endangering one of the native species, the Maugean skate.
The Maugeana skate is an ancient fish species found only in Macquarie Harbour on the west coast of Tasmania. Alarm bells went off when the work of the Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies (Imas) pointed out that the number of stingrays had almost halved in seven years. A discouraging figure, as explained by these letters collected by The Guardian, was that salmon farming was a factor that had caused considerable changes in the habitat of the rays.
For the time being, the work of Imas on this decline continues, but according to scientists warn the Maugean skate is one of the extreme dang extinction. Therefore, as The Guardian reported, the organizations requested the revocation of the letters of the BAP and Global G.A.P. schemes, two internationally recognized sustainability certifications.
Thus, signatories include conservation, animal welfare, and community groups. Among the letters reported by The Guardian, they demanding that both schemes withdraw their certification, which they called "misleading." They speak that "greenwashing the extinction of the Maugean stingray is not 'best practice' or 'environmentally responsible'."
One notable certification program of the Global Seafood Alliance (GSA) is the Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP). It comprehensively covers four crucial aspects of responsible seafood production: environmental, social, food safety, and animal health & welfare. Thus, BAP focuses on maintaining high standards at every stage of the aquaculture production chain. By meeting these criteria, producers gain recognition for their commitment to sustainable and ethical practices in the aquaculture sector.
GLOBALG.A.P. serves as the internationally recognized standard for safe and sustainable farm production. It covers food safety, traceability, environmental conservation, workers' well-being, and animal welfare. The certification also integrates practices like ICM, IPC, QMS, and HACCP, promoting efficiency and responsible resource management.