Archive for the ‘Policy & Management’ Category


National Sustainable Offshore Aquaculture Act

December 23rd, 2009 by Hayley

Surfaced Aquapod

Open Ocean Aquaculture (Source: Ocean Farm Technologies, Inc.)

The National Sustainable Offshore Aquaculture Act 2009 has been introduced in the US to protect ocean health from risks of open ocean aquaculture. 

There are currently no overarching policies or laws stipulating how this method of fish farming should be governed in America’s territorial waters, generally beyond three miles from the coastline. 

This legislation establishes the first legally binding national standards for how fish farming should be conducted in the open ocean and offers a scientific based precautionary approach including environmental, socioeconomic and liability standards.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has said it will offer its own national aquaculture policy early in 2010.

Click here to read the full article.

permalink | trackback

Posted by Hayley Tags: , ,
Posted in Policy & Management | No Comments »


Aquaculture Stewardship Council

December 1st, 2009 by Michelle

WWF is in the process of forming an Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), similar to the existing Marine Stewardship Council.  The ASC is expected to be operational by 2011 and will be responsible for working with independent, third party entities to certify farms that are in compliance with the standards for responsible aquaculture being developed by participants of the Aquaculture Dialogues.

Mussels - soon to be certifed? (Source: Stock.xchng)

Mussels - soon to be certified? (Source: Stock.xchng)

Over 2000 participants, including farmers, conservationists, academics and government officials  are working towards developing standards for 12 species: shrimp, salmon, abalone, clams, mussels, scallops, oysters, Pangasius, tilapia, trout, Seriola and cobia.  WWF believe the outcome of the dialogues will be the creation of the most credible standards for the aquaculture industry, which the ASC will implement.   

Not everyone shares this view – according to an article on SeafoodSource 70 international non-government organisations from 5 countries expressed their opposition to the formation of the ASC in a letter to WWF.  They believe the ASC will support industrial aquaculture and harm local environments and indigenous communities.

What do you think?  Will the ASC encourage more sustainable aquaculture practises world wide or will it simply be another ‘eco-labelling’ system that will confuse consumers?

permalink | trackback

Posted by Michelle Tags: ,
Posted in Environmental Impacts, Policy & Management | 1 Comment »


Welcome to Envirofinfish.org!!

July 17th, 2009 by Steve

Cobia in an Aquapod - Photograph Steve Page

Cobia in an Aquapod - Photograph Steve Page

This website is being developed to provide a platform to exchange ideas and information about sustainable aquaculture and the development and use of practical regulation, policy and management frameworks to ensure sustainability while optimising production and hence economic benefit.

Globally, aquaculture is growing rapidly, but production needs to exceed current growth rates if it is to meet the projected shortfall in seafood (about 38 million tonnes per year by 2030 according to the FAO).  Marine finfish can supply a major part of the projected shortfall, but to deliver, the sector will need significant additional investment.  That investment, in most countries, will only be realised if investors can see clear and equitable processes are in place for licences and other approvals to be issued and some secure tenure provided for marine sites.  To ensure sustainability, it will essential for appropriate regulatory measures to be put in place that foster development while ensuring environmental sustainability.

This website has been set up in response to the need for an interactive space to upload and share information about environmental monitoring, planning, policy, and regulation with reference to marine aquaculture development.  Hopefully, it will reduce duplication of effort when researching and designing appropriate environmental regulatory regimes for marine aquaculture and assist in implementation of best practise principles worldwide.

permalink | trackback

Posted by Steve Posted in Environmental Impacts, Environmental Monitoring, Fish Health, Policy & Management | 1 Comment »


Next Page »