While governments in USA, Europe and elsewhere are slowly developing minimum requirements for organic/bio aquaculture certification, NGOs, consumers and other pressure groups express their objection to a definition – the organic one - which seems to carry many potential incongruences, possibly more than the organic agriculture definition.
In this area of uncertainty Friend of the Sea has thrown in a clearer and more reassuring definition, surely more acceptable to consumers: sustainability. Sustainability of the aquaculture plant and its potential impact on the environment. Among the Friend of the Sea requirements:
- an initial Environmental Impact Assessment;
- continuous monitoring of water parameters, procedures to limit escapes and by-catches;
- no GMO;
- no antifouling paints;
- use of Friend of the Sea certified fish feed; water, energy, feed, waste and carbon footprint management.
