GSSI recognized certification

Once a scheme successfully completes the Benchmark Process, the scheme is formally and publicly announced as ‘GSSI recognized’. This means that they are ‘in alignment’ with all 175 Essential Components (under v2.0) and thus aligned with the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, FAO Ecolabelling Guidelines (for fisheries or aquaculture) and FAO Technical Guidelines for Aquaculture Certification for aquaculture. The number of Supplementary Components found to be ‘in alignment’ varies for each scheme. It is important to note that GSSI recognition does not include a ranking of any kind, nor does it declare the scheme ‘sustainable’. Finally, the GSSI Benchmark Process looks at environmental, governmental and operational criteria and does not include social issues.

CSC RFM

Certified Seafood Collaborative’s Responsible Fisheries Management (RFM) Certification Program

Date of recognition under version 2.0: 30 June 2023

Fisheries Certification
(Responsible Fisheries Management Standard version 2.1, effective 1 October 2020)

IRFM

Iceland Responsible Fisheries
Management (IRFM) Certification Programme

Date of recognition: 8 November 2016

Fisheries Certification
(Fisheries Management Standard Version 2.0, effective 1 July 2016)

MSC

Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)

Date of recognition: 14 March 2017

Fisheries Certification
(MSC Fisheries Certification Requirements and Guidance Version 2.0, effective 1 October 2014)

BAP

Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) Certification

Date of recognition: 4 October 2017

Aquaculture Certification
Aquaculture Facility Certification for Salmon Farms (Issue 2, Revision 3, October 2016) and Finfish and Crustacean Farms (Issue 2.4, 23 May 2017)

GLOBALG.A.P.

GLOBALG.A.P. Aquaculture Certification System

Date of recognition: 20 April 2018

Aquaculture Certification
GLOBALG.A.P. Integrated Farm Assurance System (Aquaculture V5.2, February 1 2019; Aquaculture v5.3-GFS, May 21 2020; Aquaculture V5.4-GFS March 2 2021)

ASC

Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC)

Date of recognition: 31 August, 2018

Aquaculture Certification
Salmon Standard (Version 1.3, July 2019) and Shrimp Standard (Version 1.0, March 27, 2014)

G.U.L.F.

Audubon Gulf United for Lasting Fisheries (G.U.L.F.) Responsible Fisheries Management (RFM) Certification Program.

Date of recognition: October 4, 2018

Fisheries Certification

G.U.L.F. is part of RFM since May 2, 2023

Audubon G.U.L.F. RFM Certification Standard, v1.2 (July 10, 2018)

 

CQA

BIM Certified Quality Aquaculture (CQA) scheme

Date of recognition: 6 February 2019

Aquaculture Certification
BIM CQA Farm Standard (Issue 1, Revision 1, November 2018).

MEL Japan

Marine Eco-Label Japan (MEL) V2 Scheme for Aquaculture and Fisheries

Date of recognition under Version 2.0: September 21, 2023

Aquaculture Certification
Aquaculture Management Standard (Version 1.0, 2018)

Fisheries Certification
Fisheries Management Standard (Version 2.0, 2018)