Dipendra Das

1. Guiding principles to
sustainable aquaculture
development
Presented by
Dipendra Prasad Das
M.F.Sc. 4th
sem

2. Contents
• Coastal Aquaculture Guidelines Source Book
• FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries
• Holmenskollen Guidelines for Sustainable Aquaculture.

3. Coastal Aquaculture Guidelines Source Book
INTRODUCTION
These guidelines are to ensure orderly and sustainable development of
shrimp aquaculture in the country. The guidelines are intended to lead to
environmentally responsible and socially acceptable coastal aquaculture
and also enhance the positive contributions that shrimp farming and
other forms of aquaculture can make to socio-economic benefits,
livelihood security and poverty alleviation in the coastal areas. The
guidelines are intended to assist the farmers in adopting good
management practices (GMP). These guidelines are for the use of all
stakeholders involved, including shrimp farmers, the coastal community,
State Fisheries Departments, Pollution Control Boards and the Ministries
and Departments of the Governments of India and the States.

4. Some key principle of Coastal Aquaculture Guidelines:
• Guidelines for the Promotion of Environmental Management of Coastal Aquaculture
Development: Published by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), this document
offers detailed guidance on enhancing environmental management in coastal aquaculture.
It addresses potential environmental impacts, assessment methodologies, and management
options at both policy and farm levels.
• Guidelines for Regulating Coastal Aquaculture: Issued by the Coastal Aquaculture
Authority (CAA) of India, these guidelines focus on regulating coastal aquaculture
practices to ensure environmental sustainability and legal compliance. They cover aspects
such as site selection, farm design, and operational best practices.
• Guidelines for Sustainable Aquaculture: Recently published by the FAO, these guidelines
provide a comprehensive framework for managing and developing sustainable aquaculture.
They are designed to support stakeholders in implementing the Code of Conduct for
Responsible Fisheries.

5. While specific guidelines may vary across regions and countries, here are some key aspects typically
covered by coastal aquaculture guidelines:
1. Site Selection: Guidelines often provide criteria and considerations for selecting suitable sites
for coastal aquaculture operations. Factors such as water quality, current patterns, tidal range,
bathymetry, proximity to sensitive habitats, and social and cultural values are taken into account.
2. Environmental Protection: Guidelines emphasize the need to protect and minimize impacts on
coastal ecosystems and habitats. They may provide recommendations on avoiding or minimizing
impacts on sensitive areas such as coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangroves, and estuaries.
3. Aquaculture Practices: Guidelines provide recommendations for responsible aquaculture
practices to minimize environmental impacts. These may include appropriate stocking densities,
feed management strategies to reduce waste and nutrient discharge, disease prevention and
control measures, and water exchange management. Guidelines may also address issues related
to the use of chemicals, antibiotics, and genetically modified organisms, promoting responsible
and sustainable practices.
4. Biosecurity and Disease Management: Guidelines stress the importance of biosecurity
measures to prevent the introduction and spread of diseases. They may provide protocols for
disease prevention, early detection, and response, including quarantine procedures, health
monitoring, and disease reporting requirements.

6. 5. Social and Community Considerations: Coastal aquaculture guidelines
often highlight the importance of engaging with local communities and
stakeholders. They may include recommendations for community
consultation, participatory decision-making processes, and the consideration
of social and cultural values in aquaculture planning and development.
6. Monitoring and Compliance: Guidelines may outline monitoring
requirements to assess the environmental, social, and economic impacts of
aquaculture activities. Regular monitoring of water quality, ecosystem
health, and compliance with operational standards may be specified.
7. Research and Development: Guidelines may encourage research and
innovation to support the sustainable development of coastal aquaculture.
This includes research on environmental impacts, disease management, feed
efficiency, and technology advancements. Collaboration between
researchers, industry, and regulatory bodies is often promoted to foster
continuous improvement and knowledge exchange.

7. FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries
• Initiated in 1991 by the FAO Committee on Fisheries (COFI), developed in a multi-
stakeholder consultation process, and adopted in 1995 by over 170 Member
Governments of FAO, the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (CCRF)
represents the most significant globally recognized international framework relating
to the world’s marine, coastal and inland fisheries, including aquaculture.
• Based on major international agreements (UNCLOS, UNCED, CBD), the voluntary
Code sets out principles and international standards of behaviour for responsible
practices with a view to ensuring the effective conservation, management and
development of living aquatic resources, with respect for the ecosystem and
biodiversity.
• The Articles of the Code cover all major issues and practices in fisheries, including
fisheries management, fishing operations, aquaculture development, integration of
fisheries into coastal area management, post-harvest practices, trade, and fisheries
research, general principles, and provisions related to its implementation,
monitoring, updating, and special requirements of developing countries.

8. • The Articles of the Code cover all major issues and practices in
fisheries, including fisheries management, fishing operations,
aquaculture development, integration of fisheries into coastal area
management, post-harvest practices, trade, and fisheries research,
general principles, and provisions related to its implementation,
monitoring, updating, and special requirements of developing countries.
• The Code includes a section on Aquaculture Development and the FAO
Fisheries Department has published technical guidelines for
Aquaculture Development in support of the implementation of the
Code.
• The FAO Code of Conduct focuses more on production process quality
than food safety, labelling or traceability issues although these are
included in Article 9 (Aquaculture) and Article 11 (Post-harvest
Practices and Trade).

9. FEAP Code of Conduct
• The Federation of European Aquaculture Producers (FEAP) produced a
Code of Conduct in the spring of 2000. The primary goal of this Code is to
promote the responsible development and management of a viable
European aquaculture sector in order to assure a high standard of quality
food production while respecting environmental considerations and
consumer’s demands.
• As a Code of Conduct, it serves to establish and recommend guiding
principles for those in Europe who are producing live species through
aquaculture. The Code does not seek to distinguish between the species nor
the types or scales of farms that are encountered within the European
aquaculture sector. Its purpose is to establish common ground, through
effective self-regulation, for sectoral responsibility within society and
demonstrate the considerations of the production sector towards the species
it rears, the environment and the consumer.

10. FEAP has developed this Code of Conduct with specific reference to:
• The provisions for responsible aquaculture development contained in the FAO Code
of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (FAO, 1995);
• The FAO Technical Guidelines for Responsible Fisheries No. 5: Aquaculture
Development (FAO, 1997);
• The Holmenkollen Guidelines for Sustainable Industrial Fish Farming (Oslo, 1994);
• The Holmenkollen Guidelines for Sustainable Aquaculture (Oslo, 1997);
• The ICES Code of Practice on the Introductions and Transfers of Marine Organisms
(Copenhagen, 1994);
• Codes of Practice and Manual of Procedures for Consideration of Introductions and
Transfers of Marine and Freshwater Organisms (EIFAC, 1988);
• The Report on the Welfare of Farmed Fish (Farm Animal Welfare Council UK,
1996).

11. Holmenskollen Guidelines for Sustainable Aquaculture
1. Guiding Principles for farming fish;
• Shall make the best efforts to produce products of the highest quality at all stages of the
aquaculture process.
• Shall plan, operate and monitor aquaculture sites whose characteristics are compatible with
long-term sustainable operation, with acceptable ecological effects and in a manner that
avoids unacceptable interaction with the environment and that conserves water resources
• Shall consult and collaborate with regional, national and European authorities for the
development and implementation of policies, practices and regulations. These policies
should assist the achievement of environmental, economic and social sustainability of the
aquaculture production sector.
• Shall implement improvements in technology and in management where such advances
are economically possible and can assist the sustainability of the activity and improve the
social and environmental compatibility of aquaculture.
• Shall recognize the international concerns for the maintenance of biodiversity.
• Shall consult and co-operate with other aquaculture producers and sectoral suppliers for
the development and agreement of common standards and objectives.

12. 2. Consumers
The fish farmers of Europe shall provide nutritious products of the highest quality,
guaranteeing full transparency of operation.
Aquaculture is a controlled process that allows the farmer to harvest fish, which is of
consistent good quality, with the following characteristics:
• A safe source of proteins and fish oils of high dietetic quality
• Nutritious
• Freshness
• Good taste
• Continuous availability
• Detailed traceability
• Diversity of choice
Fish farmers shall contribute actively towards the balanced and sustainable development
of aquaculture. They shall make their best efforts to assure the transparent development
of the activity, responding to the demands and to the benefit of the consumer.

13. 3. Social and Economic Relationships
To assure these aspects, those who are active in fish farming
• Shall co-operate with those involved in research, technological
development and training activities that seek to improve the social and
environmental compatibility of aquaculture.
• Shall work together with other water users to assure equitable use of
the resource and mutual understanding.
• Shall acknowledge their responsibility towards local society by
providing a safe and stable workplace.
• Shall provide training appropriate to the responsibilities of each
individual
• Shall encourage the principles of lifelong learning and support the
recognition of skills and competence in the workforce.

14. 4. Fish Husbandry
• Any person who owns farmed fish, or has farmed fish under his or her control, and
every person engaged in the overseeing of farmed fish shall, according to their
responsibilities, ensure that every step is taken to safeguard the health and welfare of
such fish.
5. Environment
• Fish farmers shall make every reasonable effort to maintain biological diversity.
• The practice of aquaculture requires water and other raw materials and therefore the
profession accepts that the activity has an impact and is committed to limit it.
• All fish farms should be designed, developed and managed with a view to the equitable
and efficient use of resources.
• Fish farmers should apply the best available technology and procedures in order to
optimize the farm husbandry and to minimize the impact of the interactions of the farm
with the environment.
• All workers should be aware of the issues concerning such interactions.

15. References
• caa.gov.in
• fao.org
• feap.info

16. Thank You