Newfoundland mussel company wins BAP

Norlantic Processors Ltd. is the first mussel processing plant to attain Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) certification from the Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA).

         “To be the first in any achievement feels very rewarding. Earning BAP certification is a benchmark for the company’s processing plant,” company president Terry Mills acknowledged following the announcement by GAA.

Located in Pleasantview, on Notre Dame Bay in northeast Newfoundland, Norlantic Processors also operates three mussel farm sites totalling almost 730 hectares. The company is considering pursuing BAP certification for its mussel farms as well.

          GAA said the addition of sustainability standards and criteria for mussel farms represents “a key advancement for the BAP program, as the new standards will be used as a template for broader mollusk farm standards encompassing clams, oysters, scallops and abalone.”

         A vertically integrated company, Norlantic produces around 453,600 kgs (1 million lbs) of blue mussels a year and has plans to increase its harvest. Norlantic mussels are sold to retail and foodservice customers throughout North America under the NPL brand.