Privacy Policy

PLEASE READ THIS PRIVACY POLICY CAREFULLY

The Global Seafood Alliance (also d/b/a Best Aquaculture Practices (“BAP”) and Best Seafood Practices (“BSP”), and collectively referred to herein as “GSA”, “we,” “us” and “our”) is committed to respecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy describes our collection of personal information in connection with your use of our websites, including those located at globalseafood.org, bapcertification.org, bspcertification.org, and certificationportal.org and the GSA Member Portals accessed at globalsignin.org, (the websites and GSA Member Portals collectively referred to herein as the “Site”). Additionally, this Privacy Policy describes how we use and share that information.

By continuing to use the Site after having an opportunity to review this Privacy Policy, you have accepted the Privacy Policy in its entirety and without modification and consented to our collection, use and sharing of your information, as described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with this Privacy Policy, please exit and do not use the Site.

We may revise this Privacy Policy periodically and will post any changes to the Site. Changes to this Privacy Policy are effective at the time they are posted and your continued use of our Site after posting will constitute acceptance of, and agreement to be bound by, those changes. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy from time to time.

1. Personal Information We Collect
   

   The personal information we collect depends on how you interact with our Site, may include:
   

   • Device Information: When you visit our Site, we may learn information about your browser and operating system (e.g., name, version, settings, etc.), device type and settings, IP address, MAC address, mobile device identifiers, internet service provider, referring and exit pages, the date and time of your visit, and other similar details.
   • Website Usage Data: We may collect information about your interactions with our Site, including the pages you visit, links or buttons you click, the search terms you enter, and other similar interactions with the Site.
   • Location Data: We may use various technologies to learn your geographic location, including by collecting your IP address or other Device Information, which may depend on your device’s settings for location services and how you interact with us.
   • Contact Information: We may collect your business or personal contact information, including your first and last name, postal address, telephone number, and email address, as well as your role, position or title with respect to your employment.
   • Payment Card Information and Payment Details: If you make payments to GSA via the Site (e.g., fees associated with BAP or BSP Certification or Membership), then we collect your payment card information and payment details.
   • Submitted Content: We collect the information you submit to us via our Site, including, but not limited to, information submitted via forms on our Site (e.g., our “Send Us a Message” or “Contact the Membership Team” pages); information submitted to our Site’s online community forums; information submitted as part of an application, self-assessment, assessment, re-assessment, evaluation, questionnaire, or similar document or form required or requested by GSA in connection with your application to and/or maintenance of your entity’s BAP or BSP Certification; and information submitted in connection with your application for and maintenance of your GSA Strategic Partner, Individual, or Corporate Membership, or your status as a GSA Marketplace Partner or approved Certification Body (“CB”).
   • GSA Account Credentials: If you register an account with GSA (a “GSA Account”), we will collect your GSA Account credentials, which may include a user name and password, and (as noted above) any Submitted Content that you provide to us online via your GSA Account.
   • Call records, email records, text records, video, and chat logs: If you call, email, text, or chat with GSA, we may keep records of those conversations including all such information you have provided to us in connection with such conversation.
   • Preferences: We may collect information about your preferences, such as your email preferences.

2. How We Collect Your Personal Information

   We may collect the information described above directly from you, from third parties we partner with, or through cookies or other automated means, as described below:

   • Directly from You: We collect information directly from you, including, but not limited to, when you contact us via the Site with questions or comments; provide Submitted Content via our Site; create or update a GSA Account; or update your email preferences.
   • Automatically from Your Device or Browser: Certain information is automatically collected from your device or browser and analyzed when you visit our Site, including Device Information, Website Usage Data, and Location Data.
   • Using Cookies: We or third parties who provide services to us may use cookies (small files stored on your device or browser), pixel tags (tiny graphic images embedded in a website or email), and other similar technologies to automatically collect information when you visit our Site, including, for example, Device Information, Website Usage Data, and Location Data. Through the use of cookies and similar technologies, we may link information about your interactions with our Site, for example, which pages you visit, which links you use, and how long you stay on each page.
   • From Third Parties: We work with third parties who provide services to us, like analytics companies, advertising and marketing companies, payment processors, email service providers, customer database service providers, and companies that assist with the operation and functionality of our Site and our organization more generally. These third parties may share information they have collected with us. For example, when you make a payment via our Site, any information you provide on the payment page will be collected and processed by our third-party payment processor, which may share certain payment details with us, but will not share your sensitive payment information with us.

     In addition, and as noted above, when you use our Site some of our third-party partners and service providers may use cookies and similar technologies to automatically collect information from your device or browser, and may share the information they have collected with us. For example, our data analytics providers (e.g., Google Analytics) may use the information they collect to provide us with aggregated information that helps us understand the operation, functionality, and use of our Site. Likewise, our marketing and advertising partners (e.g., Google, Facebook, etc.) may, in addition to using the information they collect to provide GSA with services, use the information collected via their cookies and other technologies in order to provide you with targeted advertising based on your browsing activities and interests. Some of our Site’s webpages “embed” posts from social media platforms (e.g., YouTube, etc.), which allows us to show you content, such as photos or videos, from our social media pages directly on our Site. When you visit these webpages, certain data may be transmitted to the social media platforms via their cookies or similar technologies.

   • Publicly Available Sources: We may collect information offline and from publicly available sources (e.g., Linked In) and combine this information with information we collect via the Site.

3. How We Use Your Personal Information

   • Access to and Use of Our Site; Analytics: We use the information listed in section 1 (“Personal Information We Collect”) to allow you to access and use the Site. In addition, we use your Device Information, Location Information, and Website Usage Data to monitor and evaluate the performance and functionality of our Website, including as part of our analytic practices, or otherwise to maintain or improve the content, security, and services offered through our Site. Information about Google Analytics’ collection and use of your information can be found here.
   • Managing Your BSP/BAP Certification(s), Marketplace Partnership, Approved-CB Status, and GSA Membership: We use the information you provide to us, including, e.g., Submitted Content and Contact Information, to process your application for certification, Marketplace Partner or approved-CB status, and membership, and to maintain your status as a BSP or BAP Certified entity, Marketplace Partner, approved CB, and/or GSA Member.
   • Communications: We use the information you provide to us, e.g., your Contact Information and Submitted Content, to communicate with you, including by responding to your requests and asking for feedback through surveys, reviews or other messages.
   • Payment Processing: We use your Payment Card Information and Payment Details to process any payments to GSA, including, for example, fees associated with BSP or BAP Certification, Marketplace Partnership, or GSA Membership.
   • Advertising and Marketing: We use the information listed in section 1 for purposes of advertising and marketing our services online, via email and direct mail, and/or other communication channels, including through partnerships with social media platforms and internet search engines. We may also use your expressed preferences and other collected information to personalize your experience using our Site, and to recommend other products, services or information that we believe you may be interested in.
   • Understanding Our Site Users and Customers: We use your Device Information, Location Information, and Website Usage Data to analyze your activity with us (including your interactions with our Site and our emails or other forms of communication). We may keep track of the pages you visit and the manner in which you use the Site to determine what services are most popular and whether to make changes to the Site. We may, from time to time, review your information and the information of other Site users or customers to help us analyze trends, patterns and preferences.
   • GSA Accounts: We use your GSA Account information and other information listed in section 1 to operate the GSA Accounts, including by making certain information and services available to GSA Account users.
   • Security: We use the information listed in section 1 to protect GSA and our users and customers from fraud, security threats, and other illegal or harmful activity.
   • Legal Obligations: We may use the information listed in section 1 to help us comply with legal and regulatory requirements and to respond to requests from courts, law enforcement agencies, or other government bodies.
   • As Otherwise Set Forth in an Agreement: To the extent that GSA has collected your personal information in connection with a Certification Agreement, a Marketplace Partner Agreement, or another agreement you’ve entered into with GSA, then we may use your information for the purposes set forth in those agreements.

4. How We Share Personal Information with Third Parties

   We may share your information with third parties for certain purposes, described below:

   • Service Providers: As noted above, we partner with third-party service providers to assist with many aspects of our organization, including the auditing and monitoring of our BSP and BAP Certified customers, operating and providing certain functionalities for our Site (including your GSA Account) and our organization more generally, and helping us communicate with our users and customers. These third parties may provide services related to any of the purposes described in section 3 (“How We Use Your Personal Information”), and we may share with them the types of information described in section 1 (“Personal Information We Collect”). Your information may also be collected and processed by third parties, such as the payment providers you select, who will process your information independently in accordance with their own privacy notices.
   • Marketing Agencies and Data Analytics Providers: We partner with third parties to assist with the advertising and marketing of our business and performing business and website analytics, including to analyzing your interests and activity on our Site (e.g., Google Analytics). We may share with them the types of information described in section 1 (“Personal Information We Collect”), which they may use for their own commercial purposes.
   • GSA Affiliates and Partners: We may disclose certain information to our GSA affiliates and partners for their use; for example, we may share your Contact Information with our sister organizations and GSA affiliates.
   • As Otherwise Set Forth in an Agreement: To the extent that GSA has collected your information in connection with a Certification Agreement, a Marketplace Partner Agreement, or another agreement with GSA, we may share your information with third parties as set forth in those agreements.
   • Successors in Interest: Your information may be transferred to another entity that succeeds to all or part of GSA’s business in connection with a sale, reorganization, consolidation, or merger.
   • Other Third Parties: We and our third party partners and service providers may disclose specific individual information if we or they reasonably believe it is necessary: (i) to comply with applicable law; (ii) to investigate any suspected misuse of the Site; (iii) to protect or defend the rights, property and interests of GSA, our customers, or the interests of our third party partners or service providers; or (iv) under exigent circumstances, to protect the personal safety of GSA staff or customers, users of the Site, or the public.

5. Your Privacy Choices

   You can control the information we collect and use in the following ways:

   • Automatically Collected Location Data: You can disable location-based services on your mobile device or web browser by adjusting the settings on your device or browser. This will prevent our Site from automatically accessing your device’s location information. Note that some services may not be available if you disable location-based services.
   • Emails: You can unsubscribe from marketing emails by clicking the unsubscribe link in the footer of such email. Note, however, that you (or the entity you represent) may be required to maintain an email address on file with GSA in order to receive email communications concerning, for example, your entity’s certification or membership status and requirements.
   • GSA Accounts: You can keep your information (including your Certification- and Membership-related information) and payment methods accurate and up-to-date by logging into your GSA Account on our Site. If you wish to cancel your GSA Account, please contact us using one of the methods provided in the “Contact Us” section below. Note, however, that you (or the entity you represent) may be required to maintain a GSA Account to comply with the terms of an applicable Certification Agreement or other agreement. For more information about BSP or BAP Certification requirements, please contact us using one of the methods provided in the “Contact Us” section below.
   • Cookies: You may opt out of certain third-party cookies by following your browser’s instructions or by using the opt-out tools provided by the following industry groups:
     • Digital Advertising Alliance (DAA): http://www.aboutads.info/choices/
     • Network Advertising Initiative (NAI): http://optout.networkadvertising.org
     • Your Online Choices www.youronlinechoices.eu

     If you do not accept cookies, you may experience some inconvenience in your use of the Site.

     Likewise, you can opt out of Google Analytics’ cookies by following the instructions provided here.

   • User Requests: You can contact us at any time using our toll free number: +1-603-317-5000 or by email: info@globalseafood.org to request we do any of the following: (i) erase or delete all or some of your personal information; (ii) change, update, or correct your personal information; (iii) restrict how we use all or some of your personal information; (iv) access your personal information and, where applicable and feasible, request to receive that personal information in a commonly used electronic format (or ask for this information to be provided in that format to a third party); or (v) disclose what personal information we collect, use, or disclose. You may also request that we stop sharing your personal information with third parties for certain purposes by contacting us at the above phone number or email address. We will consider and respond to any such requests promptly, and otherwise in accordance with applicable laws.

   If you are a resident of the EU, EAA, or UK, you may have other rights with respect to our collection and processing of your personal data. Please see section 12 (“Additional Notice to EU, EEA, and UK Residents”)

6. Children

   The Site is not directed to persons under the age of 16, and we do not knowingly or purposefully request or collect personal information from any person under the age of 16. If you believe that your child under the age of 16 has submitted personal information to GSA in connection with our Site, please contact us at info@globalseafood.org

7. Security

   Although we use reasonable measures to protect your personal information from loss or unauthorized access, we cannot guarantee the security of information provided over the Internet or stored in our databases. Your transmissions are, therefore, at your own risk. You can help protect your information by selecting strong, unique passwords for your GSA Account and any associated email accounts.

8. Supported Web Browsers and Do Not Track Signals

   We recommend that you use the latest web browser versions to optimize your experience. Older web browser versions may not be able to access or utilize all pages on our Site as intended. We may not be able to receive or honor web browser “Do Not Track” signals and our Site may continue to collect information in the manner described within this Privacy Policy.

9. Website Terms of Use

   This Privacy Policy constitutes an integrated part of GSA’s Terms of Use, located here.

10. Links to Other Websites; Social Media Platforms

    The Site may, from time to time, contain links to websites owned and operated by third parties (“Third Party Sites”). We encourage you to review the privacy policies of such Third Party Sites so that you understand how those websites collect, use, and share your information. We are not responsible for the privacy policies or other content on Third Party Sites.

    Similarly, this Privacy Policy does not cover the privacy and security practices of social media platforms on which GSA maintains its social media pages. Please review the terms, policies, and settings of those social media platforms if you have questions about how they collect, use and share your information.

11. Contact Us

    We welcome your comments and questions. Please contact us at:

    Phone: +1-603-317-5000
    Email: info@globalseafood.org
    Address:
    Global Seafood Alliance
    85 New Hampshire Avenue, Suite 200
    Portsmouth, NH 03801 USA

12. Additional Notices

    1. Notice to EU, EEA, and UK Residents
       Although GSA is based in the United States, we may, from time to time, process “personal data” of people who reside in the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or the United Kingdom, which processing may be subject to the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (also called the “GDPR”) or the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (also called the “UK-GDPR”). “Personal data” is defined in the GDPR and the UK-GDPR as “any information related to an identified or identifiable natural person,” and, for purposes of this Privacy Policy, references to “personal data” in this section include the categories of information set forth in Section 1 above, if applicable.

       We will only process your personal data to the extent applicable law allows us to do so.

       The United States has not sought nor received a finding of “adequacy” from the European Union or the United Kingdom under article 45 of the GDPR or article 45 of the UK-GDPR. Therefore, we rely on derogations for specific situations as set forth in article 49 of the GDPR and article 49 of the UK-GDPR. In particular, we collect and transfer to the U.S. personal data only: with your consent; to perform a contract with you; or to fulfill a compelling legitimate interest in a manner that does not outweigh your rights and freedoms.If you are a resident of the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or the United Kingdom, you have certain rights under applicable law, including the right to:

       • Request that we provide you access to the personal data that we maintain about you;
       • Request to correct, revise, or update any of the personal data we maintain about you;
       • Request that we erase the personal data we maintain about you;
       • Object to our processing of your personal data on the basis that the processing has a disproportionately detrimental impact on your interests, rights, and freedoms;
       • Request that we restrict our processing activities related to your personal data;
       • Withdraw your consent to our processing of your data at any time, however, such a withdrawal will not affect the lawfulness of our processing based on your consent prior to the withdrawal. Please note that where we rely on your consent in order to process your personal data and you then withdraw that consent, it may affect our provision of services to you, and may mean that we are unable to provide our services (either in part or in full) to you;
       • Request to have your personal data reproduced in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format, whether or not such request relates to the transmission of the personal data to another party; and
       • Require us to stop sending you marketing communications.

       Residents of the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or the United Kingdom may initiate any of the above requests, objections, or requirements by sending us an email at info@globalseafood.org and writing “GDPR Request” in the subject line. You may also write to us at the postal address provided in Section 11 above.

       Finally, you have the right to raise a concern about our collection and processing of your personal data with your local supervisory authority, available here (EU/EAA) or here (UK) and you may do so without prejudice to any other rights you may have.

    2. Notice to Residents of Japan
       Although GSA is based in the United States, we may, from time to time, process “personal information” of people who reside in Japan, which processing may be subject to the Act on the Protection of Personal Information (the “APPI”). “Personal information” means information about a living individual from which the identity of the individual can be ascertained (including information which enables identification by easy reference to, or in combination with other information), and information containing an individual identification code. For purposes of this Privacy Policy, references to “personal information” in this section include the categories of information set forth in Section 1 above, if applicable.

       We will only process your personal information to the extent applicable law allows us to do so.

       The United States has not sought nor received designation as an “equivalent country” from Japan’s data protection authority. You understand and agree that we may transfer your personal information to the United States for processing. The laws of the United States may not afford the same protection as the APPI, however, GSA will use reasonable measures to protect your personal information from loss and unauthorized access while in the United States. In the event that GSA transfers your personal information or “person-related information” to a third party in the United States, we will do so only with your consent or otherwise as required or permitted by applicable law, and we will take reasonable measures to ensure your personal information is protected by such third party.If you are a resident of Japan, you may request GSA provide you with additional information about our processing of your personal information (including the security measures we take to protect your information), and you may:

       • Request that we provide you access to the personal information that we maintain about you, including our record of transfers to third parties;
       • Request to correct, amend, or delete the personal information we maintain about you;
       • Request that we delete the personal information we maintain about you; and
       • Request that we cease processing your personal information in certain circumstances

       Residents of Japan may initiate any of the above requests, or raise a concern about our processing of your personal information, by sending us an email at info@globalseafood.org and writing “APPI Request” in the subject line. You may also write to us at the postal address provided in Section 11 above.