ORGANIC FARMING

General Priniciples Of Organic Aquaculture

In addition to the established IFOAM principles for organic production, the following principles and objectives formulated by the European Union also apply to organic aquaculture:

1. Integration of a healthy and sustainable aquatic farming system with the surrounding environment.
2. Wise use and care of water and water resources
3. Preservation of wild aquatic flora and fauna

Environmental objectives

The production system must be managed in such a way that the environmental integrity of the surrounding water and land areas and health of both wild and cultured organisms is preserved through:

• Having the minimum possible effects on local biological processes
• Preventing escape and predation of cultured organisms
• Maintaining healthy water conditions
• Using locally derived, sustainable foodstuff.
• Managing the production so that infectious organisms, parasites, and input factors have minimal impacts on wild organisms in the surrounding environment
• Providing for polyculture in the production system in order to close nutrient cycles where possible.

Organic food production objectives

• The production of aquaculture products of prime quality, free from artificial ingredients and with minimal contamination from the environment.
• Production methods that minimise the use of external resources.
• The prohibition of synthetic inputs such as antibiotics, pesticides, and other chemical additives.

Animal welfare objectives

• Promotion of the health and welfare of the cultured organisms by minimising stress, reducing the incidence of disease, and nurturing the vitality of the organisms through meeting their physiological and behavioural needs.
• Stocking rates should be similar to that found in the wild.
• Health management must be of high standard.

Social objectives

• Encouragement of the use of local resources and services.
• A safe, healthy and sustainable working environment for employees.
• Acceptance and support of the neighbouring community.
• The promotion of organic aquaculture to meet consumer needs and to improve existing practices in the aquaculture industry.

Last updated: 04-1-2008