Kingfish Zeeland First in Europe to Complete Pilot of Raised Without Antibiotics Standard
The Kingfish Company, a Yellowtail Kingfish producer with its Kingfish Zeeland facility based in the Netherlands, has become the first company in Europe to successfully complete a pilot of Global Seafood Alliance’s (GSA) Raised Without Antibiotics Standard. Kingfish Zeeland was also the world’s first recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) to earn Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) certification in 2018.
Part of the BAP Vanguard program, the Raised Without Antibiotics Standard was released in 2021 to provide assurances that program participants have produced farmed seafood without the use of any antibiotics, whether approved for use by regulatory bodies and/or allowed for the species being farmed. To achieve the “Raised Without Antibiotics” claim, producers must prove they have the necessary procedures and practices in place to verify that antibiotics were not used through all phases of the life cycle of the year-class and lots in consideration for claims. Upon passing the audit, producers receive a confirmation letter for the facilities that participated in the program.
Cees-Jan Bastiannsen, Head of Quality and Sustainability at Kingfish Zeeland said of the program, “We are on a mission to make the perfect fish; innovating and raising the bar not just at Kingfish Zeeland, but in the seafood industry. That’s why we’re proud to have passed the BAP Vangaurd initiative, and thank BAP for partnering with us in the same ambition.”
The BAP Vanguard program was introduced to encourage rapid development of standards to recognize and incentivize promising advances and leading-edge innovations. The program also includes the Enhanced Social Accountability and Employee Health and Safety Audit Standard. Producers who voluntarily elect to participate in the Vanguard program must already have attained BAP certification. Kingfish Zeeland’s hatchery, farm and processing plant in the Netherlands are all currently certified to BAP standards.
“Kudos to Kingfish Zeeland for going above and beyond what’s required in the BAP program by becoming certified against the new Raised Without Antibiotics Standard. Companies that participate in the Vanguard program are leaders in their field and raise the bar for other farmed seafood producers,” said GSA CEO Brian Perkins.
About GSA
The Global Seafood Alliance is an international, nonprofit trade association dedicated to advancing responsible seafood practices through education, advocacy and third-party assurances. Through the development of its Best Aquaculture Practices and Best Seafood Practices certification programs, GSA has become the leading provider of assurances for seafood globally. The organization’s work addresses the full spectrum of responsibility, from environmental responsibility and social accountability to food safety. Established in 1997 as the Global Aquaculture Alliance, GSA is headquartered in Portsmouth, N.H., USA. To learn more, visit www.globalseafood.org.
About The Kingfish Company
The Kingfish Company is a pioneer and leader in sustainable land-based aquaculture. Current annual production capacity at its Kingfish Zeeland facility in the Netherlands is 1,500 tons of high quality and high value Yellowtail Kingfish.
Expansion is underway and capacity in the Netherlands will reach 3,500 tons in the second half of 2022. In the US, permitting for the company’s 8,500 tons capacity facility is progressing as planned.
Production is based on advanced recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), which protect biodiversity and ensure biosecurity. Animal welfare is paramount, and the fish is grown without use of antibiotics and vaccines. Operations run on 100 percent renewable energy, sourced from wind, solar and biogas. The company’s facilities operate on sea water, avoiding wasting of precious fresh water.
The Kingfish Company’s main product at present, the Yellowtail Kingfish (also known as Ricciola/Hiramasa/Greater Amberjack) is a highly versatile premium fish species, well known in the Italian and Asian fusion cuisines.
Its products are certified and approved as sustainable and environmentally friendly by Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) and British Retail Consortium (BRC). It was the winner of the 2019 Seafood Excellence Award, and it is recommended as green choice by Good Fish Foundation.
