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. Progress in implementing the CCRF, at national, regional and global levels, is monitored and regularly discussed at COFI. However, implementation of all CCRF provisions is far from complete. Many fisheries and aquatic environments continue to suffer from inadequate management, significantly affecting resources and benefits.
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). For more information visit the FAO Fisheries Department website at http://www.fao.org/fi.
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. FEAP has developed this Code of Conduct with specific reference to:
It is assumed that European and national legislation will provide minimum standards for aquaculture. The Code will then serve as the basis for the development of individual national Codes of Practice in order to interpret and apply existing standards and to develop, refine or improve standards, as required.
The FEAP Code of Conduct focuses on production process quality rather than food safety, labelling or traceability issues. No mandatory independent third party verification, certification and/or surveillance is included. For more information visit the FEAP website at http://www.feap.org.
EUREP-GAP
In an interesting development the Euro-Retailer Produce Working Group (EUREP), made up of leading European food retailers, has established a mechanism for drawing up production standards for commodities entering the retail trade through their outlets. Extension to the products of aquaculture started in 2001. This is a particularly important trend as regardless of lower standards prescribed by legislation, products will not enter the retail trade unless they meet the retailer’s standard. The EUREP-GAP programme focuses on production process quality, labelling, traceability and food safety. Third party verification by an accredited certification body is required. More information can be found on the EUREP website at http://www.eurep.org.
Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA)
The GAA is an international non-profit trade association dedicated to advancing environmentally responsible aquaculture and is working to finalize a Responsible Aquaculture Programme of certifiable standards. The GAA programme focuses mainly on the management of shrimp farming and processing operations. Third party verification is required and certified operations can label their products with the GAA logo. More information is available on the GAA website at http://www.gaalliance.org.
Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)
The MSC programme is currently only concerned with the certification of sustainably managed marine resources and chain of custody issues, but may be extended to aquaculture in the future. For more information visit the MSC website at http://www.msc.org.
