Organic Aquaculture

Organic Production in Aquaculture

Defining “organic aquaculture” is very much a work-in-progress and, for many reasons, an endeavor marked by controversy. Members of both the organic and the aquaculture communities disagree on how, or even if, aquatic animal and plant production systems can qualify as “organic” as the term is commonly used. Any potential definition must be a multi-faceted one. “Organic” in the context of food production connotes standards and certification – a verifiable claim for the production process and production practices – as well as more elusive characteristics such as consumer expectation for food quality and safety and general environmental, social, and economic benefits for farmers and for society. The variety of species produced in aquacultural systems and vast differences in cultural requirements for finfish, shellfish, mollusks, and aquatic plants add to the complexity of defining this sector. Some species and some production systems may prove quite difficult to adapt to a traditional “organic” system. [See the Conventional Aquaculture section in this document for detail about existing production systems.]

Traditional organic farming systems “rely on ecologically based practices, such as cultural and biological pest management, and virtually exclude the use of synthetic chemicals in crop production and prohibit the use of antibiotics and hormones in livestock production.” [Briefing Room: Organic Farming and Marketing, 2004] Sustainability, environmental stewardship, and holistic, integrated approaches to production are hallmarks of organic systems. Standards for organic cropping and terrestrial livestock husbandry practices have existed for decades. In recent years, standards have been incorporated into state and national organic rule making and certification requirements. [See Organic Agriculture background section in this document for detail about agricultural practices and standards.]

Interpreting practices and standards developed for terrestrial species into practices and standards relevant to aquatic species, both animal and plant, remains a major challenge for organic aquaculture. How can aquatic operations comply with the requirements for an organic system plan, for obtaining acceptable stock, for implementing health care monitoring and management, for maintaining prescribed “living conditions,” for development and acceptance of allowed and prohibited substances lists, for organic feed requirements, for controlled post-harvest processing, for nutrient management, and for required animal identification and record-keeping?

Many specialists agree that the most immediate deterrent to production of organic animals is the issue of providing organically produced feed, especially for species requiring significant proportions of animal-based protein. Where will it come from? Can wild-caught fish and fish by-products be utilized as organic feed stock for farmed species? Should emphasis be placed on farming lowtrophic species?

Other points of discussion:

• Criteria for evaluating the suitability of a production site for an organic aquaculture operation; specifically, how standards will be developed for the site of production to address nutrient concentration/effluent management and water testing parameters, chemical drift, the emergence and transfer of disease, the escape of captive species to the wild, biodiversity, and detrimental impacts on indigenous species;
• Guidelines to control practices used in aquaculture operations that are consistent with organic principles, especially with regard to chemicals administered to control diseases and parasites, and to accommodating “natural behavior” and animal welfare in closed systems;
• Induction of triploidy in fish species;
• Origin of livestock requirement for aquaculture operations that obtain stock or fry from wild populations;
• Status of “wild caught” fish and related by-products;
• Conversion requirements for producers wishing to change over to an organic system;
• Recordkeeping/traceability elements, and inspection practices pertinent to aquatic species; and
• Harmonization of organic aquaculture standards between countries.

Today, organic aquaculture production takes place primarily in Europe, where certified organic salmon, carp, and trout are grown and sold. Certified organic mussels, Tiger shrimp, white shrimp, and tilapia also are cultured in such diverse places as Vietnam, Peru, Ecuador, Chile, New Zealand, and Israel. Standards and certification procedures are set by just a few certification agencies. Universal acceptance of any standards does not currently exist. [See the International Organic Aquaculture Standards section in this document for detail.] To risk investment in this sector, producers require formally recognized standards in order to communicate the advantages of organic aquaculture products to consumers. The key to the continued growth and development of organic aquaculture lies in resolving a number of issues that currently stand in the way of instituting internationally accepted certification standards.

Selected Readings

Further Comments of the Organic Trade Association (OTA) for the USDA-AMS-NOP Hearings on Organic Production and Handling of Aquatic Animals to be Labeled as Organic, by Tom Hutcheson. Federal Register Docket Number TM-00-03. May 3, 2000.

Full-text online: http://www.ota.com/pp/otaposition/frc/fish.html (accessed Dec. 15, 2004).

“Growing Organic Seafood Sales,” by Dan McGovern. IntraFish2, no. 5 (May 2004): 14, 16-19.

Full-text online: http://www.intrafish.com/pdf/download/2c95643bf128d4597b2176f78b462154/2004/5/14.pdf (accessed Dec. 15, 2004).

OMRI’s Comments on Organic Standards for Aquatic Animals submitted to National Organic Program, by Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI). Federal Register Docket Number TM00-03. May 17, 2000.

Full-text online: http://www.omri.org/fishy.pdf (accessed Dec. 15, 2004).

“Organic Aquaculture: Current Standards and Future Prospects: Chapter 6,” by Albert G. J. Tacon and Deborah J. Brister. Organic Agriculture, Environment and Food Security, edited by Nadia El-Hage Scialbba and Caroline Hattam. Environment and Natural Resources Series, 4. Rome, Italy: Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, 2002. [NAL Call Number: QED.E68 no. 4]

Full-text online: http://www.fao.org/DOCREP/005/Y4137E/y4137e06.htm (accessed Dec. 15, 2004).