Profile Basic legislation Legal definition Guidelines and codes of conduct International arrangements Planning Authorization system Access to land and water EIA Operation Water and wastewater Fish movement Disease control Drugs Feed Food safety	Miscellaneous References Legislation Related resources Related links

Profile

Basic legislation

Legal definition

The General Fisheries Statute defines aquaculture as the cultivation of living aquatic species with appropriate techniques in a natural or artificial environment and, generally, under control («[s]e entiende por acuicultura el cultivo de especies hidrobiológicas mediante técnicas apropiadas en ambientes naturales o artificiales y, generalmente, bajo control»).

Moreover, aquaculture is explicitly included in the concept of fisheries activities, along with research fisheries, capture fisheries, processing and trade of fishery products.

Guidelines and codes of conduct

There are no guidelines or codes of conduct on aquaculture.

ACUANAL (Asociación Nacional de Acuicultores de Colombia) is the National Association of Aquaculture Farmers in Colombia.

International arrangements

Colombia is a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). In addition, it is one of the Andean Community nations (CAN - Comunidad Andina de Naciones).

Colombia is also a party to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and to both the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Biosafety Protocol.

Planning

Authorization system

As provided by the General Fisheries Statute and its 1991 Regulation, a permit is required for the conduct of aquaculture. Aquaculture farms and permits must be entered in the Register of Permits, Authorizations, Association Contracts, Concessions and Licences for Fisheries and Aquaculture (Registro de Permisos, Autorizaciones, Contractos de Asociación, Concesiones y Patentes de Pesca y Acuicultura). Following the above-mentioned institutional reform, the granting of permits and their registration are now managed by INCODER.

Procedural rules regarding permits for the conduct of fisheries activities are found in the Regulation to the Statute. As a general rule, permits are not transferable. Commercial aquaculture permits have a maximum duration of 10 years, which may be extended. Minimum content of the permit includes:

• Identification of the permit holder.
• Location of the activity and project area.
• Name of the watercourse or waterbody that will be used for aquaculture and identification of the required use permit or concession for public areas.
• Authorized species for farming and estimate of production volumes.
• Authorized activities: incubation, breeding, fattening, reproduction, processing and trade.
• Authorization to capture parental stocks, when required.
• Permit expiry date.
• Grounds for revocation and sanctions for non compliance.
• Production purpose.
• Requirements for extension.
• Obligation to present reports on a regular basis, as established.

Lastly, it is a burden of the permit holder to apply to the competent authority in order to get the additional permits required for the use of land, water, coasts, beaches and river or sea-beds.

It is worth noting that the Statute mentions aquaculture concessions, to be granted under the terms of the Regulation, whereas the latter only regulates concessions for traditional fisheries (pesca artesanal). The Regulation, however, additionally provides that traditional fishermen associations have a priority in the concession of areas of public use identified by the Minister of Agriculture as intended for inland aquaculture. Concessions last 20 years and are renewable.

Access to land and water

The General Fisheries Statute provides that the Ministry of Agriculture is in charge of establishing the areas intended for aquaculture purposes (zonas con vocación para la acuicultura) and of incorporating them in the land management plans of the Government. Aquaculture areas are those meeting the scientific, ecological and technical requirements for the farming of aquatic species, as specified by the Regulation to the Statute. Since INPA used to be responsible for the identification of such areas before the 2003 institutional reform, the task has now supposedly been transferred to INCODER. However, as reported below, other authorities have management competences on areas relevant for aquaculture.

Since its establishment in 1993, the Ministry of Environment, Housing and Land Development (Ministerio de Ambiente, Vivienda y Desarrollo Territorial) has taken over the tasks related to environmental matters that were carried out by other authorities, including the Ministry of Agriculture and the National Institute for Renewable Natural Resources (Instituto Nacional de los Recursos Naturales Renovables y del Ambiente - INDERENA ). Indeed, according to Law No.99 of 1993 creating the Ministry of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources and organizing the National Environmental System - SINA (Ley No.99 que crea el Ministerio del Medio Ambiente y los Recursos Naturales Renovables y se organiza el Sistema Nacional Ambiental - SINA), the Ministry of Environment is responsible for the management of marine and coastal resources, as well as that of brackish and freshwater ecosystems. The law does not make specific reference to the establishment of areas intended for aquaculture purposes.

Furthermore, under the terms of Decree No.2324 of 1984  , the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs of the Ministry of National Defense - DIRMAR (Dirección General Marítima del Ministerio de Defensa Nacional) is in charge of regulating maritime activities, which include the use of marine and coastal areas.

Access to water is subject to a concession system, as provided by Legislative Decree No.2.811 of 1974 establishing the National Code on Renewable Natural Resources and Environmental Protection (Código Nacional de Recursos Naturales Renovables y de Protección del Medio Ambiente), which makes no reference to water use for aquaculture. According to Decree No.1.594 of 1984, partially regulating Law No.9 of 1979 and Legislative Decree No.2.811 of 1974, concerning Water Uses and Liquid Waste (Decreto No.1.594 - Reglamenta parcialmente Ley No.9 de 1979 y el Decreto Ley No.2.811 de 1974, en cuanto a Usos del Agua y Residuos Líquidos), water use for the conservation of flora and fauna – which includes aquaculture – is at the second place in the priority list of water uses, after human consumption and domestic use purposes.

It is worth mentioning Law No.79 of 1986 establishing Rules for Water Conservation (Normas para la Conservación del Agua), which declares protection forest reserve areas the woods and natural vegetation surrounding waterbodies intended for several uses, including aquaculture.

EIA

The Environmental Licensing System, regulated by Law No.99 of 1993 creating the Ministry of Environment and Decree No.1180 of 2003  regulating Title VIII of Law No.99 of 1993 on Environmental Licences (Decreto No.1180 por el cual se reglamenta el Título VIII de la Ley No.99 de 1993 sobre Licencias Ambientales), is applicable to any activity likely to provoke serious damage to renewable natural resources or to the environment, or introduce significant modifications to the landscape. No specific provisions are made with regard to aquaculture.

Competent authorities for the granting of licences may be the Ministry of Environment, the Autonomous Regional Corporations and certain Municipal or District Authorities, as established by the law. However, the introduction of parental specimens for the reproduction of exotic species that may affect ecosystems and wildlife must be authorized by the Ministry.

The environmental licensing procedure initiates with an application to the competent authority in order to establish whether an Environmental Analysis of Alternatives (Diagnóstico Ambiental de Alternativas) is needed. When required, this document must provide the following data:

• Information on the location and characteristics of the geographic, environmental and social frame of the different project alternatives.
• A comparative analysis of the effects and risks of the project.
• The possible solutions and control and mitigation measures for each option.

Subsequently, the authority shall require an Environmental Impact Study concerning one or more project alternatives, which must include the following information:

• Project location.
• Abiotic, biotic and socioeconomic elements that may be negatively affected by the project.
• Impact assessment.
• Outline of the prevention, mitigation, correction and compensation plans.
• Environmental management plan of the project.

Environmental Impact Studies must be presented jointly with the environmental licence application. The authority shall then issue a resolution granting or refusing the licence.

Operation

Water and wastewater

This matter is mainly regulated by Decree No.1.594 of 1984, partially regulating Law No.9 of 1979 and Legislative Decree No.2.811 of 1974, concerning Water Uses and Liquid Waste. The Decree establishes water quality standards for the purpose of conservation of flora and fauna – which includes aquaculture, as mentioned above.

Specific rules for the protection of the environment from wastewater discharge are to be issued by the competent authority for the concerned water use. No specific provision was found with regard to aquaculture effluents. General provisions on wastewater discharge are made in Law No.9 of 1979 establishing Health Measures (Ley No.9 - Dicta Medidas Sanitarias).

Fish movement

Fish movement within the country is mentioned by the General Fisheries Statute, which empowers INPA, now INCODER, to establish the requirement of a specific permit (salvoconducto). This permit, however, has apparently been revoked by Acuerdo (INCODER) No.9 of 2003  , establishing the requirements and procedures for the granting of permits and authorizations concerning the conduct of fisheries and aquaculture (Acuerdo No.9 de octubre 2 de 2003, del INCODER, por el cual se establecen los requisitos y procedimientos para el otorgamiento de los permisos y patentes relacionados con el ejercicio de la actividad pesquera y acuícola). Unfortunately, a copy of this regulation could not be obtained.

According to the Regulation, the first import of aquatic species must be jointly authorized by the Ministry of Environment and INCODER (formerly INDERENA and INPA). Under the terms of Law No.99 of 1993, the introduction of exotic species of flora or fauna that might negatively affect natural ecosystems and wildlife is subject to the granting of an environmental licence by the Ministry of Environment.

Moreover, an authorization is required for the import and export of fishery resources and products. The Regulation to the Statute provides that the competent authorities for the granting of such authorization are INCOMEX and the Directorate-General for Customs of the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (Dirección General de Aduanas del Ministerio de Hacienda y Crédito Público). However, both authorities have been abolished and their successors are respectively the Vice-ministry of Foreign Trade of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism (Viceministerio de Comercio Exterior del Ministerio de Comercio, Industria y Turismo) and the Special Administrative Unit Directorate of National Taxation and Customs (Unidad Administrativa Especial Dirección de Impuestos y Aduanas Nacionales – DIAN), attached to the Ministry of Finance. Before issuing an authorization for the import and export of fishery resources and products, said authorities must seek the approval of the Ministry of Agriculture or a delegated authority, i.e. INCODER.

The Colombian Institute for Agriculture and Livestock (Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario – ICA), attached to the Ministry of Agriculture, is the main authority for health checks and certification for animal imports and exports in general. Health requirements for the import and export of live fish and fish products are set by ICA Resolution No.3.382 of 2003, establishing Health Measures for the Import of Animals and Animal Products (Resolución No.3.382 - Medidas Sanitarias para la Importación de Animales y sus Productos). The import of live animals - including fish, molluscs and crustaceans at any development stage - eggs and fish gametes, fertilized crustaceans eggs and all types of animal products is subject to the granting of an import zoosanitary paper (documento zoosanitario para importación), which is valid for a single shipment and expires after 90 day. ICA is responsible for documentation control, physical inspection and for the granting of the health inspection certificate (Certificado de Inspección Sanitaria – CIS) at the authorized entry point, as indicated in the import zoosanitary paper. The export zoosanitary certificate (certificado zoosanitario para exportación) may only be issued after all the health requirements of the country of destination are met. A separate certificate is required for each shipment and its validity shall match that of the corresponding import permit, or else last 90 days.

Disease control

Decree No.1.562 of 1984, regulating Titles VII (Epidemiologic Surveillance and Control) and XI (Surveillance and Control) of Law No.9 of 1979 establishing Health Measures (Decreto No.1.562 - Reglamenta los Títulos VII (Vigilancia y Control Epidemiológico) y XI (Vigilancia y Control) de la Ley Nº 9 de 1979 sobre Medidas Sanitarias) makes general provisions on the mandatory communication of diseases in humans, animals and environment to the closest health authority.

Animal disease control is covered by Decree No. 1.840 of 1994 on the Management of Animal and Plant Health (Decreto No.1.840 - Manejo de Sanidad Animal y Vegetal). Although, no specific provision is made on fish disease in the Decree, its provisions are applicable to all animal and plant species, including genetic resources.

The main authority for the management of animal health is the ICA, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (Ministerio de Salud).

Drugs

ICA is the competent authority for regulating the production and use of chemicals and veterinary drugs. ICA Resolution No.3.382 of 2003 provides that, although the import of veterinary drugs does not require a zoosanitary paper, shipments are subject to documentation control, physical inspection and to the granting of the health inspection certificate (CIS) at the entry point.

No specific provision was found with regard to fish feed.

Feed

ICA Resolution No.1.414 of 1989 establishing Rules for the Production and Trade of Animal Feedstuff (Resolución No.1.414 - Normas sobre la Industria y Comercio de los Alimentos para Animales), regulates the production, import, distribution and quality control of animal feed. Producers and importers must be registered with ICA.

The import of animal-based feedstuff requires a zoozanitary paper, as established by ICA Resolution No.3.382 of 2003.

Food safety

Food safety is regulated by Law No.9 of 1979 establishing Health Measures (Ley No.9 - Dicta Medidas Sanitarias) and its Regulations:

• Decree No.561 of 1984 regulating Title V (Food Products) of Law No.9 of 1979 establishing Health Measures, concerning Capture, Processing, Transport and Sale of Fishery Products (Decreto No.561 - Reglamenta el Título V (Alimentos) de la Ley No.9 de 1979 que dicta Medidas Sanitarias, en cuanto a Captura, Procesamiento, Transporte y Expendio de los Productos de la Pesca); and
• Decree No.3.075 of 1997 partially regulating Law No.9 of 1979, concerning the Production, Processing, Packaging, Storage, Transport, Distribution and Trade of Food Products (Decreto No.3.075 - Reglamenta parcialmente la Ley No.9 de 1979, en cuanto a las Actividades de Fabricación, Procesamiento, Envase, Almacenamiento, Transporte, Distribución y Comercialización de Alimentos), which is explicitly applicable to fish products as well.

These texts establish rules and standards to ensure fish products quality. In particular, Decree No.561 of 1984 details specific quality standards for each type of live, fresh or processed fishery product. Provisions are also made to regulate the processing of fish products on board of fishing vessels and in processing plants.

Miscellaneous

Aquaculture investment

References

Legislation

Related resources

	Search parameters: country=COL, Keywords=aquaculture;mariculture
	Records Returned: 25
Title of text	Date of text	Consolidated date	Entry into force	Countries
Resolución Nº 157 - Incentivo para el abastecimiento de productos en la acuicultura de exportación.	2010-05-14			Colombia
Resolución Nº 1.569 - Planes de manejo ambiental para el funcionamiento de zoocriaderos con fines comerciales de la especie Helix aspersa.	2009-08-14			Colombia
Resolución Nº 29 - Define una línea de crédito para financiar proyectos en el marco del Programa Agro Ingreso Seguro.	2008-12-31			Colombia
Resolución Nº 32 - Define una línea especial de crédito para financiar las necesidades de capitalización y los recursos requeridos en la actividad productiva de algunos productos del sector agropecuario con destino total o parcial al mercado externo.	2008-12-31			Colombia
Resolución Nº 3.698 - Comercialización de los alevinos producidos por el Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario (ICA).	2008-10-28			Colombia
Decreto Nº 4.064 - Requisitos ambientales y zoosanitarios para la realización de las actividades de zoocría de especímenes de la especie Hélix aspersa.	2008-10-24			Colombia
Resolución Nº 5 - Define una línea especial de crédito para financiar las necesidades de capitalización y los recursos requeridos en la actividad productiva de algunos productos del sector agropecuario con destino total o parcial al mercado externo.	2008-04-10			Colombia
Resolución Nº 4 - Define una línea de crédito para financiar la capitalización y los recursos requeridos en la actividad productiva de algunos productos del sector agropecuario con destino total o parcial al mercado externo.	2008-04-04			Colombia
Resolución Nº 116 - Crea el Programa de Incentivos Sanitarios para la Acuicultura de Exportación.	2008-03-31			Colombia
Resolución Nº 21 - Define una línea de crédito para financiar proyectos en el marco del Programa Agro Ingreso Seguro.	2007-12-21			Colombia
Resolución Nº 2.778 - Requisitos para la importación de alimentos destinados a la alimentación de los camarones.	2007-10-18			Colombia
Resolución Nº 1.701 - Deja sin efecto las cuotas de pesca asignadas a cada titular de permiso de pesca comercial ornamental.	2007-06-29			Colombia
Resolución Nº 1.414 - Crea el registro de productores de camarón y de peces para consumo humano con destino a la exportación.	2006-05-26			Colombia
Resolución Nº 21 - Implementa el Decreto Nº 4.335 en materia de beneficios para empresas acuicultoras.	2005-01-13			Colombia
Acuerdo Nº 9 - Requisitos y procedimientos para el otorgamiento de los permisos y patentes relacionados con el ejercicio de la actividad pesquera y acuícola.	2003-10-02			Colombia
Decreto Nº 133 - Delega funciones en materia de actividades acuícolas y pesqueras al Instituto Nacional de Pesca y Acuicultura (INPA).	1996-01-17			Colombia
Resolución Nº 461 - Requisitos para el cultivo de mojarra roja o mojarra plateada en ambientes naturales o artificiales controlados.	1995-11-08			Colombia
Resolución Nº 283 - Plan de actividades y de investigación para la obtención de permisos de pesca comercial exploratoria, de investigación y de cultivo.	1992-04-29			Colombia
Decreto Nº 2.256 - Reglamenta la Ley Nº 13 de 1990.	1991-10-04			Colombia
Decreto Nº 1.477 - Aprueba la estructura orgánica del Instituto Nacional de Pesca y Acuicultura (INPA).	1991-06-06			Colombia
Decreto Nº 1.334 - Aprueba los estatutos del Instituto Nacional de Pesca y Acuicultura (INPA).	1991-05-23			Colombia
Ley Nº 13 - Estatuto General de Pesca.	1990-01-15			Colombia
Resolución Nº 1.218 - Normas que regulan la asistencia técnica en materia de fauna silvestre, pesca y acuicultura.	1984-12-10			Colombia
Decreto Nº 1.877 - Aprovechamiento integral de los recursos marinos vivos y no vivos.	1979-08-02			Colombia
Decreto Nº 1.681 - Recursos hidrobiológicos.	1978-08-04			Colombia

Related links

Country profiles: Colombia