GAA Appoints New Standards Oversight Committee Member

The Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA) has filled an open position on its 12-member Standards Oversight Committee (SOC), which oversees the development of the Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) certification standards for farmed seafood. Nguyen Hoang Tuan of Vietnam has accepted the position, which is for a representative of the non-governmental conservation community.

New SOC Member Nguyen Hoang Tuan of Vietnam.Currently, Mr. Tuan is the aquaculture program manager for Blueyou Consulting AG, a Zürich-based consultancy focused on seafood sustainability. Previously, he was a technical expert for the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ).

Mr. Tuan has a B.S. in environmental science from Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and an M.S. in environmental science from Vietnam’s Institute for Environment and Resources and has taken a Ph.D. course in sustainability and environment at Hanyang University. He has also been a lecturer at Ton Duc Thang University.

“We are delighted to welcome Tuan onto the SOC. He brings a wealth of expertise in seafood sustainability and detailed knowledge of aquaculture systems in Southeast Asia,” said BAP Standards Coordinator Dan Lee.

The position became available when Dawn Purchase, aquaculture program manager for U.K.-based Marine Conservation Society, stepped down from the SOC after six years of service.

The SOC comprises members with broad stakeholder representation — one-third conservation, one-third academia and one-third industry. SOC members review emerging aquaculture issues, vote on draft BAP standards and consider revisions to new and existing BAP standards. They must also impartially consider other members’ positions as well as public comments on draft BAP standards. Following public comment, SOC members vote on final standards.

About GAA
The Global Aquaculture Alliance is an international, nonprofit trade association dedicated to advancing environmentally and socially responsible aquaculture. Through the development of its Best Aquaculture Practices certification standards, GAA has become the leading standards-setting organization for aquaculture seafood.