Vega Salmon First in Europe to be Certified to BSP
Vega Salmon has achieved Best Seafood Practices (BSP) certification for its processing plant located in Handewitt, Germany, standards-holder the Global Seafood Alliance announced on September 29.
Vega’s wild-caught salmon is harvested from a fishery certified to a Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative (GSSI)-recognized standard (in this case, the Marine Stewardship Council). Earlier this year, Vega Salmon’s processing plant was the first in Germany to be certified to GSA’s Seafood Processing Standard (SPS).
The combination of a fishery certified to a GSSI-recognized fisheries standard together with processing through Vega’s SPS-certified plant, means that Vega Salmon represents the first BSP seafood supply chain in Europe. GSSI’s Global Benchmark Tool provides formal recognition of seafood certification schemes that successfully complete a rigorous and transparent benchmark process, underpinned by the FAO Guidelines. The tool aims to minimize the overall environmental impact of how we produce, catch and supply seafood to meet a growing global demand. “We are proud of being the first BSP salmon processor in Europe and proud of being a vital part of the needed sustainable movement,” said Vega Salmon CEO Jakob Graasbøll Enemark.
Vega Salmon’s brands include Vega Basic, New Nordic, The Salmon Chef and Purity. Purity salmon is farmed at low density, less than 20 kilograms per square meter. Vega Salmon also markets cold and hot smoked salmon, marinated salmon, fresh and frozen salmon portions and fillets, and smoked trout, as well as convenient ready-to-eat concepts of spiced portions. The company sells its products in more than 30 countries worldwide, with a focus on food safety, great taste and quality.
Processing plants that handle farmed or wild seafood, or both, can pursue certification to SPS Issue 5.1 as part of the Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) and Best Seafood Practices (BSP) third-party certification programs. The BSP program is focused on environmental responsibility, social accountability and food safety, certifying high standards of vessel and processor management including worker rights, safety systems, and well-being.
The BSP program was launched in 2021 and is the world’s only third-party certification program capable of linking responsible wild-capture fisheries to certified processing plants (through the Seafood Processing Standard) and certified vessels (through the Responsible Fishing Vessel Standard). Such supply chains are highlighted on the BSP website.
About Best Seafood Practices
Best Seafood Practices (BSP) is a third-party certification program developed by the Global Seafood Alliance, an international, nonprofit trade association headquartered in Portsmouth, N.H., USA, dedicated to advancing environmentally and socially responsible seafood practices through education, advocacy and third-party assurances. Through the development of its Best Aquaculture Practices and Best Seafood Practices certification standards, GSA has become the leading standards-setting organization for seafood.
About Vega Salmon
Vega Salmon is a Danish company engaged in the processing and refinement of both farmed and wild-caught salmon and trout in the fresh, smoked and value added product categories for international consumers through its processing facility in the northern part of Germany. Vega Salmon exports to more than 30 countries world wide and employs 600+ highly skilled and dedicated people, with the aim and purpose of delivering world class salmon every day. Read more about Vega here: https://vega-salmon.dk
