“The administration of the aquaculture industry focuses solely on environmental sustainability, and attention is concentrated into a few environmental parameters. In order to achieve the goal of sustainable development, social and economic sustainability should be included,” says Senior Scientist Otto Andreassen of Nofima.
The study also points out that stricter sustainability requirements are placed on the aquaculture industry than on other food and resource-based industries.
“Environmental considerations alone form the basis for growth in this industry. What would happen if the same was true also for other resource-based industries, such as the oil industry, agriculture, fishing and mineral mining?” asks Mr Andreassen in a rhetorical question.
In Africa, WorldFish and the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) are partnering to help promote consumer confidence in African fish for domestic and export markets.
The memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two companies will allow for the creation of standards that will provide an Africa-wide framework for producers, distributors and sellers to ensure safety and quality at all stages of the value chain, from catch to the plate.
The end goal is a continent-wide alignment of standards and certification schemes that will boost the the market for fish while also contributing to the commitments for a Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA).
In disease news, Chile has reported another Infectious Salmon Anaemia (ISA) outbreak in the Aysen region.
The HPR 3 variant was discovered on the Salmones Cupquelan SA during surveillance.
The Aqua Nor 2015 Sustainable Aquaculture Digital is now out. To read your free copy, please click here.
