1. Brussels Development Briefing n.32
Fish-farming the new driver of the blue
economy?
3rd July 2013
http://brusselsbriefings.net
Organic Aquaculture and sustainable fisheries-
ecolabelling and aquaculture certification
Mark Prein, GIZ

2. Seite 2Sektorvorhaben Förderung einer nachhaltigen Fischerei und Aquakultur10.07.2013
Organic aquaculture and sustainable fisheries -
ecolabelling and aquaculture certification
Mark Prein, GIZ

3. Seite 3
Definition: Organic Aquaculture
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production management systems that:
• promote and enhance biodiversity,
biological cycles and biological activity;
and are based on:
• minimal use of off-farm inputs;
• holistic management practices that restore,
maintain and enhance species diversity and
ecological harmony.

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History of Organic Aquaculture
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• 1994 Organic carp: Austria, Germany
• 1995 Organic salmon standard: Ireland (Naturland)
• 1998 Organic salmon standard (Soil Association)
• 1999 Organic shrimp standard: Ecuador (Naturland & GTZ)
• 2000 France national OA standard
• 2000 Organic shrimp: Vietnam (Naturland and SIPPO)
• 2000 IFOAM basic OA standard
• 2001 Organic tilapia: Israel
• 2002 Organic sea bream: France
• 2005 California bans labelling of organic seafood
• 2005 Organic micro-algae: Taiwan POC
• 2006 Organic pangasius: Vietnam (Naturland & GTZ)
• 2009 EU Organic Aquaculture Rules in force

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Organic Aquaculture Production (2009)
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0
10000
20000
30000
40000
50000
60000
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
tonnes
Bergleiter et al. 2009

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Status of Organic Aquaculture
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• 100,000 tons global production
• € 400 million total market value, € 1 billion producer turnover
• > 240 certified operations (China: 72)
• 30 countries
• 30 Species
• 80 different standards (EU: 18)
• Trend: steady growth
• National standards/labels
Bergleiter et al. 2009

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Geographic Distribution of
Organic Aquaculture Production (2008)
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Bergleiter et al. 2009

8. Seite 8Präsentationstitel hier eintragen10.07.2013
IFOAM 2010

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Species: Fish
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• “Carp”
• “Trout”
• Atlantic salmon
• Red drum
• Meagre
• Sea bream
• Sea bass
• Tilapia
• Striped catfish (pangasius)

10. Seite 10
Species: Shellfish
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• Black tiger shrimp
• Western white shrimp
• Pink shrimp
• Freshwater prawn
• Blue mussel
• Chilean mussel

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Production Issues
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• Species permitted; introductions
• Biodiversity (e.g. plants on dikes)
• Recommendation for polyculture
• Rearing systems: cages, ponds; tank systems (hatcheries)
• Stocking density limited
• Aeration use: Energy efficiency
• Climate impact (CO2/kg)
• Monitoring of effluent quality
• Ecological status of systems (e.g. benthos)
• Social Standards

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Production Issues: Health
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• Reduced instances of diseases
• Costs for medical treatments reduced
• Net cages: sea lice – cleaner fish (wrasse)
• No antibiotics in invertebrates (e.g. Naturland; EU less stringent)
• Vaccinations permitted
• Probiotics permitted
• Predator control: birds (nets), otters, seals
• Unwanted fish fry: plant extracts
• Detergents, anti-foulants
• Distance between farms

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Production Issues: Feed
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• Bottleneck in supply of certified organic feed =
main impediment to expansion !
• Net cages, semi-intensive pond culture
• Demand outstrips feed supply
• Ingredients sourced on international markets
• Initiate local production
• Sourcing ingredients locally
• Permissible sources and limits of fish meal and fish oil

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Certification of Smallholder Groups
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• Long history with certification of coffee and
tea farmer cooperatives
• Based on functioning ICS (Internal Control System)
• Costs typically covered by processing/exporting companies
• Certified shrimp farmer groups in Costa Rica, India,
Bangladesh, Vietnam, Indonesia

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Products
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• Fresh
• Frozen
• Smoked
• Marinated
• MAP-packed
• Value-added
products

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Consumer Perspective
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• Consumer is the driving factor!
• Evolution and diversification
• “Naturally grown” / “Sustainable”
• “Healthy”
• “Taste”
• “Fair”
• “Special Treat”
• = LOHAS (“Lifestyle of Health and Safety”)

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Future Outlook
Präsentationstitel hier eintragen10.07.2013
• Production increases: salmon, “shrimp”
• Total value of € 1 billion in 2012 (?)
• Undersupply for some finfish: e.g. tilapia, trout
• Further diversification needed
• Feed bottleneck to be solved
• Harmonization, but competitive business
• USDA decision – then expansion in the USA
• Market expansion, e.g. China, South Korea, Russia

18. Seite 18Sektorvorhaben Förderung einer nachhaltigen Fischerei und Aquakultur10.07.2013