Azerbaijan Fish Farm LLC (AFF) has become the world’s inaugural caviar producer to be awarded the prestigious Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) certification. This remarkable recognition, conferred by the Global Seafood Alliance (GSA), highlights AFF’s unwavering commitment to sustainability and solidifies its leadership position in the aquaculture industry.
Since its inception in 2017, AFF has been a trailblazer in the realm of innovative and sustainable fish breeding, particularly in the production of sturgeon caviar in Azerbaijan. Mike Berthet, GSA’s market development representative in the UK, commended AFF’s milestone achievement, emphasizing the company’s dedication to responsible practices across environmental stewardship, social accountability, food safety, and animal welfare.
AFF’s approach to sustainable aquaculture integrates traditional methods with modern technologies, utilizing Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS), cage culture models, and advanced seaside tanks to ensure optimal conditions for fish incubation and growth. Notably, AFF’s unique utilization of both freshwater from the Kura River and saltwater from the Caspian Sea mimics the natural habitat of sturgeons, ensuring the premium quality of their caviar.
Moreover, AFF distinguishes itself through its eco-friendly initiatives and conservation efforts. The company’s commitment to the preservation of endangered sturgeon populations is evident in its fish release events, where 10 sturgeons are released for every jar of caviar sold. This exemplifies AFF’s dedication to ecosystem sustainability and reinforces its brand ethos.
Currently, Azerbaijan Fish Farm LLC exports its premium caviar to esteemed markets worldwide, including the USA, UAE, Singapore, and Hong Kong. With the BAP certification underscoring its sustainability initiatives, AFF continues to lead by example in responsible caviar production, elevating Azerbaijan’s prominence in the global aquaculture arena.
The Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) certification program, developed by the Global Seafood Alliance, is a third-party certification initiative aimed at promoting environmentally and socially responsible seafood practices. Through its standards, GSA has emerged as a leading organization in setting industry benchmarks for seafood sustainability and accountability.
