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The Global Seafood Alliance (GSA) has released an updated version of its Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) Feed Mill Standard, introducing new rules aimed at improving traceability and responsible sourcing in aquaculture feed production.
The revised standard, Issue 3.3, will take effect on 17 November 2025, after which all certified feed mills must comply with the new requirements. GSA said the changes followed more than a year of consultation with stakeholders, with "the goal of modernizing the standard to meet marketplace expectations".
The update focuses on three key feed ingredients widely used in aquaculture: fishmeal and fish oil, soy, and palm oil. Among the most significant changes are clearer and more rigorous rules for sourcing these ingredients, as well as stronger systems to trace them throughout the supply chain. The GSA has also introduced "enhanced" reporting requirements for oil blends purchased from third-party manufacturers, designed to ensure greater transparency, the organisation said.
For marine ingredients, GSA has set deadlines for responsible sourcing, requiring 90% of these inputs to come from certified sources by 2028 and 100% by 2031. In the case of soy, feed mills must develop a sourcing plan by 1 January 2026 detailing how they will move towards using only deforestation- and conversion-free (DCF) soy, including a timeline and a written commitment, although no target date has yet been set for reaching full compliance.