The Global Seafood Alliance (GSA), headquartered in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, is a leading international nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing responsible seafood practices through certification, advocacy, and education. GSA unites seafood stakeholders across the supply chain with a mission to build trust in seafood by ensuring environmental responsibility, social accountability, animal health, and food safety throughout aquaculture and wild fisheries.
Core Business
GSA operates as a global certification and advocacy body offering comprehensive seafood assurance programs. The organization is best known for developing and managing:
- Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) Certification
- Best Seafood Practices (BSP) Certification
- Seafood Processing Standards (SPS)
- Responsible Seafood Advocate, an educational publication promoting best practices across the seafood value chain
GSA serves as a crucial platform for industry collaboration, technical benchmarking, consumer awareness, and regulatory alignment.
Product & Service Offerings
- Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) – One of the world’s most comprehensive third-party certification programs for aquaculture, covering the entire production chain: hatcheries, farms, feed mills, and processing plants.
- Best Seafood Practices (BSP) – Certification standard for wild fisheries with a focus on vessel conduct, labor practices, and chain of custody.
- Seafood Processing Standard (SPS) – Now in its 6.0 version, this standard ensures seafood is processed under globally recognized food safety and social responsibility norms.
- Responsible Seafood Advocate – A digital publication and knowledge hub for industry insights, innovations, and sustainability trends.
Specialization & Core USP
GSA is distinct for its vertically integrated and holistic certification model, offering:
- Four-Star Certification – Recognizing companies certified across the entire aquaculture production chain.
- Cross-Platform Integration – Enabling traceability from hatchery to consumer.
- Labor and Social Accountability Standards – Aligned with international frameworks including ILO conventions and SEDEX/SMETA audits.
- Global Reach – Accepted and recognized by major retailers and foodservice operators worldwide.
Financials & Growth
As a nonprofit organization, GSA operates through program fees, grants, and partnerships. Key indicators of its global footprint include:
- Over 3,100 BAP-certified facilities in more than 39 countries as of 2023
- BAP-certified seafood available in over 30,000 retail locations globally
- Annual budget exceeding $10 million, reinvested in standard development, outreach, and capacity building
Shipment & Industry Impact
While GSA does not trade in seafood, it influences the movement and purchasing standards of millions of metric tons of seafood globally. Companies with GSA certifications gain market access in:
- North America – Major retailers like Walmart, Costco, Kroger, and Sysco prioritize BAP-certified products
- Europe and Asia – With expanding recognition in markets like the UK, Japan, and South Korea
- Certification facilitates entry into premium markets and enhances trust among institutional buyers
Target Market
- Seafood producers and processors
- Retailers and foodservice operators
- Importers and exporters
- Sustainability-focused NGOs and certification partners
- Consumers seeking responsibly sourced seafood
GSA aligns with both B2B and B2C segments, creating impact across the value chain through assurance, education, and transparency.
Capabilities
- Development and maintenance of globally benchmarked seafood standards
- Training and technical support for certification readiness
- Supply chain risk mitigation tools
- Advocacy and consumer education through global campaigns
- Digital traceability integration with partner platforms
Certifications & Compliance
GSA certifications meet or exceed industry benchmarks:
- BAP is Benchmark Certified by the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative (GSSI)
- Compliant with Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) for processing standards
- Aligned with ISEAL Codes of Good Practice for credible standards and assurance
- BSP incorporates the Responsible Fishing Vessel Standard (RFVS)
Customer Testimonials
Endorsements from leading seafood brands and retailers include:
- “We source BAP-certified products to ensure our supply chain meets the highest standards in sustainability and accountability.” – Costco
- “GSA helps us assure customers that our seafood is responsibly produced and safe.” – Major U.S. Foodservice Distributor
Major Achievements
- Recognized as one of the most influential seafood certification bodies globally
- Facilitated training and certification in emerging aquaculture regions, including India, Vietnam, and Latin America
- Developed the world’s first certification standard for seafood feed mills
- Launched Responsible Seafood Summit and advocacy campaigns that reached millions of consumers globally
The Global Seafood Alliance continues to lead the industry in defining responsible practices and ensuring that the global seafood supply chain remains sustainable, ethical, and transparent.
