BAP For Chile’s First Mussel Processing Plant
Congratulations to Blue Shell S.A., Chile’s first mussel processing plant to attain Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) certification.
It’s also the world’s fifth mussel processing plant to attain BAP certification; the other four are in Canada.
Located in Dalcahue, Chiloé, the processing plant has an annual production capacity of about 10,000 metric tons of mussels and 1,300 metric tons of clams. The company’s mussel products are marketed in numerous South American, North America, European, African and Asian countries. Product forms include IQF cooked mussel meat, IQF cooked half shell mussels, IQF cooked whole shell mussel and vacuum-packed cooked and frozen whole mussels.
Blue Shell’s mussel-farming subsidiary, Cultivos Azules, which currently has six farms sites, plans to pursue BAP certification.
“BAP certification is a great contribution to the entire production chain, as it allows us to maintain our leadership and provide the best product to our customers,” said Blue Shell in a statement.
Mussel processing plants became eligible for BAP certification with the completion of the BAP mussel farm standards in August 2013. Currently, there are a total of 11 BAP-certified mussel farm sites between two companies, all of which are in Canada.
About BAP
Best Aquaculture Practices is an international certification program based on achievable, science-based and continuously improved performance standards for the entire aquaculture supply chain — farms, hatcheries, processing plants and feed mills — that assure healthful foods produced through environmentally and socially responsible means. BAP certification is based on independent audits that evaluate compliance with the BAP standards developed by the Global Aquaculture Alliance.
