For several months, we have been conducting an investigation of the shrimp company, Choice Canning, which is a member of the Global Seafood Alliance. Choice Canning has been passed by SGS auditors for certification under the Global Seafood Alliance's Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) standard. Part of that investigation has involved an ongoing conversation with a former Choice Canning employee who managed a plant for the company in Andhra Pradesh. We began talking while they were still on staff with Choice Canning and we have continued the dialogue since they stepped down from their position wi…
The Global Seafood Alliance appreciates The Outlaw Ocean Project bringing this to our attention. We take these matters very seriously. When credible evidence of activities in violation of our Best Aquaculture Practices standards are reported, they are thoroughly investigated. The process is managed by our Program Integrity department with involvement of specialized and impartial third-party investigators. Are you willing to provide evidence of the mentioned violations that would assist our processes outlined above?
The piece touches on a number of issues of concern about the BAP-certification process which we believe to be in the public interest to report on. We are writing to give you the opportunity to comment on them. We will consider any response for inclusion in the piece. Please reply by 1pm ET on Monday March 18 if you would like us to do so.
The issues of concern include:
- A forthcoming report by the Corporate Accountability Lab, an advocacy group, which argues that the BAP auditing process in India is deeply flawed.
- Internal communications which suggest that Choice Canning employees routinel…