Aquaculture Training Programs

Good Aquaculture Practices (GAqP) Program

Overview:

The food safety of farm-raised (aquaculture) seafood presents a significant and growing concern in the United States. The U.S. imports about 90% of its seafood by value, with more than half originating from aquaculture operations. Products from aquaculture have been associated with certain food safety issues, such as the risk of contamination by chemical and biological agents. They are one of the most frequently refused food categories by the U.S. and other countries. Fish and fishery products account for more than 20% of all food shipment refusals each year, resulting in significant financial losses for producers and increased inspection costs. While comprehensive government inspection and certification programs seem like a reasonable approach, they require substantial resources and present significant logistical challenges given the scale of global aquaculture operations.

The necessity for aquaculture to develop in a responsible manner is well accepted and understood and has generally been incorporated into countries' regulations and certifications, where legislation exists. Aquaculture farmers are aware of the commercial importance of producing high quality products; however, small-scale and traditional fish farmers may be reluctant to make changes and resist implementing improved practices due to concerns about increased operational costs that could reduce profit margins.

The Good Aquacultural Practices (GAqP) program offers a structured approach to address these challenges. Similar to prerequisite programs and good manufacturing or hygienic practices used in food processing facilities, GAqP combines systematic procedures and protocols designed to achieve three key objectives: efficient production, consumer safety, and environmental sustainability. Since most food safety and quality issues with aquaculture products originate at the farm level, GAqP training primarily targets farms and farm operators. However, addressing aquaculture food safety requires balancing regulatory oversight, economic considerations, and industry-wide collaboration to ensure safe seafood reaches consumers. An integrated, multidisciplinary approach that encompasses the entire food chain is essential, placing responsibility for safe seafood supply on all those involved in production, processing, and trade. The most powerful incentive driving aquaculture producers toward high-quality practices is market access. Producers must comply with importing countries' regulations and maintain strong reputations with buyers to remain commercially viable. This market-driven approach may prove more effective than regulatory enforcement alone in promoting widespread adoption of safe aquaculture practices.

Program Components:

GAqP is a 5-day course incorporating multiple learning modalities.

• • Lecture and presentations - Foundational knowledge delivery
• • Problem analysis and exercise - Practical application of concepts
• • Farm visit - Real-world assessment opportunities
• • Evaluation - Knowledge and skill assessment

The on-farm visit represents a critical program component, allowing participants to evaluate local practices and develop improvement recommendations under teaching team guidance. The GAqP recommendations are designed to be globally applicable, independent of location or specific agricultural and industrial circumstances. Upon completion of the course, participants earn JIFSAN/FDA certification.

The JIFSAN GAqP Program operates on a Train-the-Trainer concept, where program graduates can subsequently take a one-day Train-the-Trainer course. This course will enable the graduates to additionally train others in Good Aquaculture Practices. This multiplier effect extends the program's reach and impact across the aquaculture industry. Train-the-Trainer Course is designed for:

• • Extension specialists and equivalent professionals
• • Individuals with aquaculture food safety education responsibilities

Upon completing the JIFSAN course, participants are expected to deliver their own in-country training programs and report their activities to JIFSAN. Future trainers receive access to the manual and materials at no charge.

Program Development and Evolution:

JIFSAN initially collaborated with Johnson Diversey Corporation and enlisted experts from academia and FDA to develop the GAqP training program. Following the pilot program in Vietnam in 2006, program materials have been continuously improved and content expanded to meet international producer needs.

GAqP Training Presentations

Welcome to Good Aquaculture Practices Training
Day 1: 60 minutes
An introductory guide to the training program, including an overview of the instructors, agenda, and training timeline.
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Introduction to Good Aquaculture Practices
Day 1: 75 minutes
Introduces participants to Good Aquaculture Practices (GAqPs a voluntary, prevention-based program designed to minimize: Animal disease risks, Food safety hazards, Antimicrobial resistance, and Violations at import
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In-Country Presentation
Day 1: 30-45 minutes
A teaching tool that encourages participants to describe local aquaculture standards in their country using GAqP principles. Helps identify relevant regulations, policies, or informal standards in their region.
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Best Management Practices
Day 1: 4 hours
To provide aquaculture farmers with practical guidance on food safety, environmental protection, and sustainable production through the development and application of BMPs.
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Biosecurity
Day 2: 3 hours 45 minutes
Explains how drugs used in aquaculture are regulated, approved, and monitored in the context of ensuring seafood safety for U.S. consumers.
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Aquaculture Drugs Overview
Day 2: 30 minutes
Explains that aquaculture drugs must be FDA-approved, used only as directed, and carefully monitored to prevent unsafe residues and protect both food safety and public health.
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U.S. FDA Import Operations
Day 2: 45 minutes
Provides an overview of the U.S. FDA’s regulatory authority over imported seafood, the seafood safety process, and food safety oversight.
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Aquaculture Food Safety
Day 3: 4 hours
Focuses on practices that ensure safe aquaculture food products. Helps participants develop a GAqP Food Safety Plan that promotes transparency, regulatory compliance, and consumer trust.
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U.S. FDA Traceability Rule for Seafood
Day 3: 30 minutes
Introduces the FDA’s Food Traceability Rule and its application to the seafood and aquaculture industry.
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Why Consider GAqPs?
Day 3: 45 minutes
Explains the importance and benefits of implementing GAqPs for farms, producers, consumers, and global food systems.
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Farm Visit and Presentations
Day 4: 8 hours
Includes a hands-on farm visit where participants observe and assess aquaculture practices. Each group presents their findings to highlight good and bad practices. Followed by a post-test to evaluate understanding.
Download (PPTX)

Good Aquaculture Practices © 2025 by JIFSAN Joint Institute for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0

Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) Program

Overview:

Unlike primary production facilities like aquaculture farms, Seafood processors typically have access to multiple food safety training programs and maintain their own safety and quality control systems. They must comply with Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) requirements and undergo regulatory inspections at local, state, and federal levels.

Program Components:

As a complement to the GAqP program, JIFSAN offers HACCP training—a comprehensive program in seafood HACCP protocols. The program structure includes:

• • Lecture and presentations - Foundational knowledge delivery
• • Problem analysis and exercise - Practical application of concepts
• • Production facility visit - Real-world assessment opportunities
• • Evaluation - Knowledge and skill assessment

• • Online component - Participants register and complete the Seafood HACCP Alliance course offered by Cornell University which includes:
• • Face-to-face component - Delivered as an in-person component to build upon skills learned in the online portion.

Upon completion of both components, participants earn AFDO/Seafood Alliance seafood HACCP certification.

Similar to GAqP Program, HACCP program also follows the Train-the-Trainer model, where program graduates can additionally take a 2-day Train-the-Trainer course. This course will enable the graduates to subsequently train extension specialists and equivalent professionals as well as individuals with aquaculture food safety education responsibilities. The Train-the-Trainer approach amplifies the program's reach throughout the aquaculture sector.

Upon completing the JIFSAN course, participants are expected to deliver their own in-country training programs and report their activities to JIFSAN. Future trainers receive access to the manual and materials at no charge.

Previous International GAqP and HACCP Trainings

WHO

World Health Organization's Five Keys to Safer Aquaculture Products to Protect Public Health

The Joint Institute for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (JIFSAN) has joined with the World Health Organization (WHO) in producing FIVE KEYS TO SAFER AQUACULTURE PRODUCTS TO PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH.

The training manual is designed for use by health educators and aquaculture specialists conducting health and aquaculture training for small aquaculture producers who raise fish for themselves, their families, for sale in local markets or to larger distributors. The manual describes the key practices needed to ensure safer fish production, from where to place the ponds to post-harvest handling.

Download:
The manual is available for download on the WHO publications page.