An Azerbaijan-based sturgeon producer, Azerbaijan Fish Farm LLC, has recently been awarded Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) certification, making it the first sturgeon producer to achieve this status.
Best Aquaculture Practices is a certification program of the Global Seafood Alliance (GSA). Through the BAP program, the GSA aims to promote environmentally and socially responsible seafood practices, whilst setting the standard for aquaculture operations.
Azerbaijan Fish Farm (AFF) is the first sturgeon breeding farm to receive BAP certification. Since its establishment in 2017, AFF has aimed to prioritise innovation and responsible fish breeding and caviar production in Azerbaijan. The BAP-certification recognizes AFF’s effort to foster sustainable practices.
“We applaud Azerbaijan Fish Farm for becoming the first caviar farm to achieve BAP certification. This underscores their commitment to responsible practices and their dedication to environmental responsibility, social accountability, food safety and animal welfare,” said Mike Berthet, a market development representative for Global Seafood Alliance, in a release from GSA.
In addition to its aim to advance responsible sturgeon aquaculture practices, AFF also seeks to contribute to the conservation of sturgeon in the Caspian Sea, where the populations are highly endangered. Currently the company organizes fish release events, releasing 10 sturgeons for every jar of caviar sold.