Saudi Aquaculture Society in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture intends to host the events of the first Forum that is specialized in the international standards of practicing aquaculture activities on Sunday 1 Dhu al-Hijjah 1437 AH / September 4, 2016 at Burj Rafal Kempinski in Riyadh, which aims at defining the importance of the application of the best standards of aquaculture practices, as well as how to get its own certification and that for the betterment of aquaculture activities in the Kingdom and to achieve the highest international standards of operations.
Referrals were directed to investors in the aquaculture sector, as well as the commercial concerned authorities in marketing fish products and the representatives of some relevant official entities to the Ministry of Commerce and the Saudi Food and Drug Authority.
On the other hand, Eng. Al-Eiadh - His Excellency the Deputy Minister for Fishery Resources - confirmed that the Ministry will be seeking to make all aquaculture projects in the Kingdom to apply the Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP), stressing the keenness of His Excellency the Minister of Agriculture; Eng. Abdul Rahman bin Abdul Mohsen al-Fadhli- God bless- to raise the level of quality and performance in aquaculture projects through its support and follow-up of this matter, and the best example of his generous patronage to the agreement of mutual understanding and cooperation signed by the Saudi Aquaculture Society on the sidelines of Yanbu forum for investment opportunities in aquaculture sector with the Global Alliance for Aquaculture, which is considered one of the best donors of the Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) certifications that is internationally certified.
Eng. Ahmed Al-Bala, the Chairman of Saudi Aquaculture Society's Board of Directors, mentioned that Ministry of Environment and Water and Agriculture has recently signed with SAS a “ memorandum of understanding (MoU)” on the application of the Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) of Aquaculture projects in the Kingdom, so that the Saudi Arabia Aquaculture Society can follow up the implementation of these requirements and grant their own certificates. He pointed out that getting this certificate by the National Companies will be of significant benefit to the sector by maintaining the sustainability of such projects and the prevention of disease and the risks, in addition that this certificate will increase consumer confidence and open up a great marketing prospects by achieving the highest quality and safety standards, and he added that it will support the work of the projects and make it responsive to the requirements of international and domestic standards on all levels of social, environmental and food safety.