objectives and principles of certification in capture fisheries vs. … · 2017. 11. 10. ·...

Norwegian Ministry of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs

Objectives and principles of certification in capture fisheries vs.

aquaculture

Deputy Director General Yngve Torgersen

Senior Adviser Anne Magnussøn

ROUND TABLE ON ECO-LABELLING AND CERTIFICATION

IN THE FISHERIES SECTOR

The Hague, The Netherlands 22-23 April 2009


The Riches of the Sea – Norway`s Future

Background

Certification of responsible and sustainable fisheries and aquaculture is both a business-to-business tool and a documentation intended for end-consumers in order to:

document production processes

make clear requirements to the producer

communicate responsibility to consumers -often through the use of labels



Objectives

Documenting that seafood products come from sustainable fisheries and aquaculture

Contributing to a more sustainable seafood production

Market access, value adding and competitive advantages



Third party certification

… an independent certification body confirms that a fishery or aquaculture production is conducted according to a standard or specification



Certified standards for of responsible and sustainable fisheries and aquaculture

Should be

cost-effective

based on sound science

Should not be

a tool for advocacy groups

derailing management processes

a technical barrier to trade

incurring heavy costs for industry and

consumers through

expensive verification

processes



Minimum requirements for certification for

the purpose of eco-labelling should:

be based on minimum substantive criteria for the definition of responsibility and sustainability

agreement between representative governments acting through international fora

a clear separation of roles of the involved parties

setting criteria

assessments/verifications

labelling



FAO guidelines on capture fisheries

In 2005 the UN Food and Agriculture organisation

(FAO) published ”Guidelines for the Eco-labelling of

Fish and Fishery Products from Marine Capture

Fisheries”. The minimum criteria in the guidelines

reflects:

the management system

the stock under consideration

ecosystem considerations

The criteria were based on - and interpreted in

accordance with - the current agreed international

instruments addressing fisheries.



FAO Guidelines - Aquaculture

FAO is developing technical guidelines for aquaculture certification

- but no definition of sustainable aquaculture has been developed internationally

How should sustainable aquaculture

be defined?



Focus areas for environmental sustainable salmon-farming

1. Genetic impact (including escape)

2. Pollution

3. Diseases

4. Use of coastal areas

5. Feed (sustainable fisheries)



1. Genetic impact

Future goals:

Aquaculture does not contribute to permanent changes in the genetic characteristics of wild fish stocks

Important check-points:

Knowledge about the effects escapees has on wild stocks

Technical requirements to the aquaculture installations, to avoid escapees



2. Pollution

Future goals:

All aquaculture sites operate within acceptable environmental conditions, and do not have higher effluence of nutrient salts and organic material than the carrying capacity of the recipient

Important check-point:

Ensure comprehensive benthic assessments both at the time of allocation and during operation



3. Fish disease

Future goals:

Diseases in fish farming do not have a regulating effect on stocks of wild fish, and as many farmed fish as possible grow to slaughter age with minimal use of medicines


Strict rules for controlling diseases

Use also the impact on wild stocks as a reference

Strict requirements for movement of live aquatic animals, including means of transport

Encourage industry to develop code of best practice



4. Use of coastal areas

Future goals:

The aquaculture industry has a site structure and area utilisation which reduces the impact on the environment and the risk of infection


Defining optimal siting criteria

Ensuring legal base for enabling the relocation of facilities in the overall interest of the industry and the community

Municipalities should have updated coastal zone plans



5. Feed

Future goals:

The aquaculture industry's needs for raw materials for feed is met without over-exploitation of wild marine resources


International work to combat IUU fishing, and reduce discards to a minimum

Ensure that the feed used in aquaculture originates from sustainable fisheries

Increased use of marine by-products for feed and development of feed technology boosting growth and reducing environmental impact



ConclusionCertification of fisheries vs aquaculture

Some important differences for the applicant business operator:

Wild capture fisheries are managed in cooperation with other nations

Fisheries management is the responsibility of representative governments setting policy and objectives

Illegal, unreported and unregulated fisheries remains a problem in capture fisheries

Traceability is more complex in capture fisheries

objectives and principles of certification in capture fisheries vs. … · 2017. 11. 10. ·...

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