Global Aquaculture Alliance forms strategic partnership with FishChoice

The Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA) and FishChoice have joined forces in a strategic partnership, the two organizations announced on 21 July.

The partnership will combine “GAA’s industry-leading aquaculture standards and expertise with FishChoice’s online platform designed to power progress on seafood sustainability,” GAA said in a press release.

FishChoice is the latest inductee into GAA’s strategic-partnership program, which currently consists of over 60 seafood associations and NGOs. The program is designed “to enhance communication and information sharing within the global aquaculture community,” according to GAA.

“By connecting FishChoice with GAA’s network and industry knowledge, the collaboration represents a significant advancement in the way both organizations address the needs of the aquaculture community,” GAA said.

The partnership agreement will see GAA grant FishChoice access to exclusive communications and resources – sent solely to strategic partners – as well as its virtual and in-person GOAL conference.

“FishChoice.com’s contributions to the seafood industry have been immense over the years. The work the organization does to simplify seafood for the industry and for consumers is vital,” GAA Marketing Manager Maddie Cassidy said. “We are excited to formalize the work that we do with FishChoice.com, as both of our organizations are aligned on our ultimate goals: supporting the seafood industry and encouraging the consumption of seafood worldwide.”

FishChoice.com partners have long been able to feature Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) certification on the profiles and product listings. In light of the partnership, FishChoice.com now provides information about GAA “and allows GAA members to highlight their membership directly on their FishChoice.com Partner Profile,” making it “easier for the thousands of FishChoice.com users to find GAA member businesses prioritizing sustainable aquaculture and/or source BAP-certified products.”

“The BAP certification scheme has been one of our certification partners on FishChoice.com for seven years. Through the new partnership, we look forward to adding GAA to our expanding list of sustainable seafood collaborators on the site and building on our previous relationship with GAA,” FishChoice Program Manager Tim Mullin said. “Partnering with GAA to share cutting-edge aquaculture information will allow us to further support and amplify businesses that carry sustainable aquaculture products.”

Among the companies who have already highlighted their GAA memberships on their FishChoice.com profiles are Kvarøy Arctic, Australis Aquaculture, Seattle Fish Company, Beaver Street Fisheries, Mazzetta Company, and Raw Seafoods.

“Communicating the story of a third-generation family farm in the Arctic Circle to an American audience has a unique set of challenges. It is vital for Kvarøy Arctic to continue to evolve and find ways to connect to the market. The story of provenance is paramount to our success,” Kvarøy Arctic Strategic Development Officer Jennifer Bushman said. “The Fish Choice-GAA site offers a platform to explain not just what we do but the thoughtful ways in which we do it. This includes having a place where in one snap shot you can find our partnerships, certifications, and recommendations.”

In April of this year, GAA announced it would be merging with Global Seafood Assurances and would change its name to the Global Seafood Alliance. Those rebranding efforts, according to the organization’s website, are underway.