FAO.org

Aquaculture governance is the set of processes by which a jurisdiction manages its resources with respect to aquaculture, how its stakeholders participate in making and implementing decisions affecting the sector, how government personnel are accountable to the aquaculture community and other stakeholders, and how the respect of the rule of law is applied and enforced. Good governance of aquaculture is a necessary condition for the sector to fully realize its potential for growth. Good governance will also ensure the order and sustainability of this growth. The present technical guidelines on “aquaculture governance and sector development” have been produced to support the implementation of Article 9 of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries on aquaculture development. In addition to principles of good aquaculture governance (effectiveness and efficiency, equity, accountability and predictability of the law), these technical guidelines include suggestions/recommendations for the aquaculture sector; its administration, its legal and regulatory framework, licence policies and non-state participation in decisionmaking and implementation. The guidelines are to be interpreted and applied in their entirety in a manner consistent with national laws and regulations and, where applicable, international agreements. They are for use by government and non-government agencies responsible for aquaculture, and producer associations at the sub-national, national and regional levels. The objective of these guidelines is to assist policy makers and other stakeholders in the establishment and implementation of good governance in aquaculture by producing a blueprint of practices that can be tailored to suit particular administrative, cultural and legal environments. Such good governance practices could be adapted to any jurisdiction wishing to enhance aquaculture sustainability