| ACC Advances BAP Certification, Auditing Procedures |
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| Since it began operations, the Aquaculture Certification Council has trained and accredited 113 independent inspectors and auditors from 30 countries. It has audited 88 aquaculture processing facilities and certified 54, which represents approximately 235,870 mt of production per year. ACC has inspected over 50 farms, certifying 38, and conducted educational seminars for local governments, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and industry representatives in 12 countries. |
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Objective Auditing
ACC has worked on an arms-length basis with the Global Aquaculture Alliance to establish the auditing procedures necessary for effective implementation of Best Aquaculture Practices certification. Recognizing the importance of objectivity and credibility to the certification process, ACC also works with conservation NGOs and other stakeholders to insure that its inspection and auditing requirements are objective and transparent. Most importantly, sustainable and responsible practices are encouraged at all points in the aquaculture value chain. |
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| As you might expect, ACC management and staff have learned a great deal during this time. The council has benefited greatly from working closely with many community, industry, and organization leaders in the continuing development of the processes and procedures necessary for an objective, worldwide, science-based certification system for aquaculture. |
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Certification Oversight Committee
ACC is forming a Certification Oversight Committee consisting of NGOs, academics, regulators, and industry members to review and revise procedures such as internal audits, calibration audits, certifier training, complaints and appeals, software systems, and data analysis. The objective is to achieve continuous improvement as technological and other changes warrant. |
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| As the result of our experiences and the recommendations of others, we have simplified and standardized program application forms and basic facility certification agreements. Fees have also been revised to relate more closely to facility production volumes, with minimums and maximums. |
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| As in any household, ACC works hard to keep its costs low. It operates within a budget, increasing program services as it generates fee income to cover their costs. ACC fees for the certification program, including those facilities pay for traceability, should be less than U.S. $.005/lb of product produced. We are also revising the certification procedures on the ACC website to provide more specific and relevant details on the certification process. |
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Traceability
Traceability is a critical component of ACC's certification system. ACC has engaged TraceRegister, Inc., a software company with extensive experience in the seafood industry, to develop a traceability system to track product from hatchery through processing. The information gathered will be stored in a secure central facility maintained by TraceRegister. Access will be available to ACC, certified facilities, and their customers on a password protected basis. |
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Worldwide Standard
Work remains to be done to make Best Aquaculture Practices certification the worldwide standard. But certification is here to stay and will prove to be a positive influence on the aquaculture industry, leading to long-term growth and stability for those who practice it. Moving forward, the Aquaculture Certification Council intends to be the organization best prepared, equipped, and dedicated to providing objective certification for sustainable aquaculture. |
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