Responsible aquaculture management practices Aquamarkets, Manila 2 nd -6 th June 2003 Michael Phillips, NACA.

Responsible aquaculture management practices

Aquamarkets, Manila

2nd-6th June 2003

Michael Phillips, NACA

Aquaculture for food

Human populations on the increase Capture fisheries production is limited Aquatic meat is still a cheap protein in many

countries Need to feed people Aquaculture is essential to contribute to

demand-supply gap! Globally fastest growing food production sector

Growing attention on aquaculture

Media, lobby groups, civil society organizations

Consumer awareness and preferences

Human health concerns Environmental issues Social concerns and equity Export oriented production for

affluent societies Equitability of income and poverty

alleviation from export oriented aquaculture

Food quality and safety concerns

BSE, FMD, human health concerns EU and USA regulations No avian or mammalian material in livestock feed Restrictions on feeding material from same species

Veterinary drugs and anti-microbials Livestock, aquaculture

Chemical use in aquaculture Human health repercussions

International rules and obligations

WTO, SPS agreement Human health Animal health

Doha – “Trade and development” Fisheries given special attention

FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries Convention on Biological Diversity CITES National rules, bilateral agreements

Labeling for EU, US markets

Responsible aquaculture management and markets

Traditionally, the only concern was product quality and (post-harvest) food safety

Now, increasing recognition of the importance of the food production process

Therefore, growing emphasis on the importance of responsible aquaculture management practices

Increasingly important to implement and have systems in place that effectively communicate and assure

Consortium program on Shrimp farming and the environment “To analyse and share experiences on better management of

shrimp aquaculture in coastal areas” Main partners are the World Bank, NACA, WWF and FAO. Government, private sector and NGOs participated in activities,

totaling over 100 researchers in 20 countries Funding - Bank-Netherlands partnership, AVINA and MacArthur

Foundation, FAO, in-kind support substantial 1999 -2002

Consortium program objectives1. Better understanding of key

issues

2. Encourage debate, discussion and consensus around these issues

3. Identify better management practices (BMPs)

4. Evaluate cost, benefits and barriers for adoption of BMPs

5. Strategies to support implementation of BMPs

Special attention being given to social issues, employment and poverty

Consortium program structure Comprises 35 complementary case studies

on different aspects of shrimp aquaculture Over 100 researchers, 20 countries Case studies on specific topics in:

Asia Africa and the Middle East Latin America

Thematic reviews (studies of a global nature)

Studies involve wide range of stakeholders and consultations

Terms of Reference and study reports circulated for public discussion

Outcome of the consortium work

Issues to be addressed through better management Shrimp farm siting and its impacts on habitats Shrimp farm design and construction Water use, quality, and effluent discharge Shrimp PLs and wild broodstock/PL collection Responsible use of chemicals, food quality and safety Feed and feed management Effluent and solid waste management Shrimp health management Employment and social impacts Shrimp culture, rural development and poverty alleviation

For each of these, the consortium work has identified “worse” and “better” practices.

On farm economic costs and benefits assessed

Reducing impacts on water resources Better practice:

Minimize release of nutrients and organic matter

Reduced water exchange

Economic benefits: Reduced energy costs Reduce disease risk

Feed and feed management Better practice:

Use of high quality feeds, efficient use of fish meal

Feed monitoring Feeding according to demand Low FCR

Economic benefits: Substantial increase in profitability

Major findings

Impacts can be managed Farm level (mostly) Local area, national levels

Key better management practices can lead to more profitable farming

Issue is providing incentives, and support for implementation

Such results provide a basis for international agreement on BMP principles (including possibly certification systems)

Improvements in shrimp production: examples from extensive farms in India

Shrimp crop production (kg.ha-1)

Kg/H

a

Ponds0

200

400

600

800

1000

A1 A2 B1 B2 C1 C2 D1 D2

Demo

Previouscrop

Challenges ahead Much known about better management practice

Implementation is a key factor Market access moving towards product trace-ability and

certification of responsible practices: Farm to table (or farm to fork) approach EU/US mandatory requirements for labeling Aquaculture product certification

Transformation of the sector is a challenge: Large numbers of small-scale farmers! Low investment, low input systems Creating effective cooperation to support responsible farm management

practices Providing supporting policy, legal, institutional framework Participatory process towards agreeing responsible practice?

Cr mouth

SF MnBk

cana

lRoad

Kr port

Muttukuru

Open scrub

(RF)Pattapupalem

Venkatareddipalem

Varagali Momidi

Kattuvapali

SF

SF

M

M

Bk

canal

M

Kandleru Creek, AP, India: FCC 432 IRS-1C LISS-III (20/02/01 )

Legend

Kr = Krisnapatnam

M = Mangrove

SP = Salt Pan

SF = Shrimp farm

BK = Buckingham

CR = Creek

RF = Reserve Forest

SP

Bay of Bengal

Sand bar

Better farmer organization is a way forward

Local groups/“clubs” can form the base of the market chain

An example from India “Self-made” rules and

regulations: Don’t use antibiotics

How to provide such progressive farming groups business incentives through market access?

Empowering producers?

Importance of partnerships Farmer-farmer

Farmer groups have significant opportunities for local organization and “self-help” Farmer groups can be a building block for product supply Farmer-farmer communication networks (complements limited extension)

Farmer-input suppliers Farmers to hatcheries, nurseries (chemical salesmen!), investors (in sustainable

practice) Farmer-buyer-processor-exporters-importers-consumers

Partnership along the market chain (for trace-ability) and also to reward and support market access for farmers adopting better practice

Public-private Regulations and incentives that support better management Support to communication and awareness building

Inter and intra-regional cooperation Harmonization of SPS measures (for trade, aquaculture chemicals) Participation of stakeholders in standard setting (eg WTO, certification)

Addressing the challenge Responsible aquaculture management practice will be a basic requirement

for market access Implementing better management practice represents an opportunity to

address problems, improve the sectors’ image, promote the sector’s development

Certification, and trace-ability of product will be required However, the transition in the sector will not be easy. Fair trade schemes that support sector’s development, and small-scale

farming sector are required Better understanding of mechanisms and support required

Support to development of credible certification systems will be required Increased stakeholder participation, transparency, harmonized approach, more bottom

up approach Need for harmonized, transparent, credible standards

Better partnerships

For more information

www.enaca.org/shrimp

Thank you!