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Blue Standard Aquaculture
Certification Council |
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12/20/2007 |
Volume 2 |
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In This Issue · Jeffrey Peterson Represents ACC in Zambia · ACC Initiates
BAP Certification of Seafood Processing Plants · New BAP Standard Addresses Fat, Oil and Grease in Processing Plants · Responsible Chemical Use in
Aquaculture Links Processing Plant Farm Hatchery Founding Supporter Facility
Buyers Contact Us |
Jeffrey Peterson Represents ACC in
Zambia
In December, 2007, Jeff Peterson, representing the Aquaculture Certification Council (ACC) and AIS Development with assistance of USAID funding, conducted a two day seminar on Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP’s) in Lusaka, Zambia. Seminar attendees included representatives from both the government and the private sector. The purpose of the seminar was to present and discuss the ACC’s program for BAP’s with specific focus on Tilapia. The BAP’s are based on a set of standards now in the final stages of development by the Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA). See the GAA website: www.aquaculturealliance.org for details. A principle goal of the seminar was to demonstrate to Zambian aquaculturists the value in adopting a Code of Good Conduct based on internationally accepted BAP’s. The ACC has helped develop similar programs in Nicaragua and Bangladesh. Zambia has a long and rich history of freshwater fish harvesting from the many lakes and rivers either wholly controlled or shared with its many neighbors. It also has a fairly well developed small-scale aquaculture sector consisting of many small growers whose production is intended for family or village consumption. The National Aquaculture Association of Zambia (NAAZ) has over 600 members country-wide. Pollution and over fishing have forced some villagers to abandon traditional fishing and resort to terrestrial hunting to supply food for their families and there is a growing interest in commercial scale aquaculture. Several entrepreneur-driven farms are in operation as well as two commercial hatcheries. Several seminar attendees are in the process of expanding their operations. The BAP seminar was a very timely event in that it can serve to promote sustainable and responsible growth of the industry. “What impressed me the most” says Jeff, “is that the group quickly grasped the importance of establishing and then adhering to a set of national standards for responsible aquaculture development”. By the second day of the seminar the group had broken down into two subgroups and were beginning to develop a draft Code of Good Conduct. It was pointed out that lenders and environmental NGO’s will consider acceptance of a Code of Good Conduct as an indicator of Zambian aquaculturists’ commitment to sustainable development.
ACC Initiates BAP Certification of Seafood Processing Plants HQ Sustainable Maritime Industries, a vertically integrated Aquaculture and Aquatic Seafood Processing Plant in the province of Hainan in the South China Sea, became the first facility to be BAP certified by the Aquaculture Certification Council using the new BAP Seafood Processing Plant standards that became effective in November 2007. The facility inspection was conducted by ACC accredited auditor Steven Newman and the ACC issued the certification on December 12, 2007. According to ACC Certification
Director
New BAP Standard Addresses Fat, Oil and Grease in Processing Plants
Permits to discharge effluents
of processing plants issued by governmental environmental management agencies
typically include a concentration limit for oil and grease. The Global
Aquaculture Alliance (GAA) standards establish oil and grease limits of 10
mg/l. Effluents from most seafood processing plants contain oil and grease that originates from product being processed or petroleum products used on plant equipment. Fat, oil, and grease, by definition, is any of various lipid based compounds composed of carbohydrates and proteins that are derived from the living cells of animal or vegetable products. Oil and grease of biological origin are not likely to be toxic but they may cause films and scum, increase the biological oxygen demand, and add to the accumulation of lipid based compounds in tissue of fish and other aquatic animals that may impart and objectionable taste and odor. Oil and grease pollution in natural waters can cause surface films and shoreline deposits that are environmentally degrading. Also, when released into the environment residues coat birds and other organisms leading to their death. High concentration of oil and grease in plant effluents entering waste treatment facilities will decrease the efficiency of waste water treatment methods and many plants have to either use grease interceptors or oil and water separators to remove high levels of fat, oil, or grease before it enters the treatment facilities. Facilities that are not using interceptors or separators may be able treat their effluents by skimming off floating oil and grease and passing the water through waste water oxidation ponds. Responsible Chemical Use In Aquaculture As the aquaculture industry has expanded, many aquaculturists have adopted chemicals used in the agriculture sector to treat pests, control algae and unwanted vegetation, and enhance growth and production. When properly applied, pesticides, algaecides, herbicides, and fungicides are indeed beneficial in controlling pests and noxious vegetation. However, their improper use and runoff from agriculture can affect water and sediment quality, alter microbial communities and biodiversity, kill nontarget animals and plants, and affect the health of farm workers. Some recommendations for use in the aquaculture industry include: ·
Use chemicals only when
all other responsible practices have failed to solve the problem. ·
Purchase only approved
chemicals registered for the intended use. Do not use banned or category 1
chemicals for aquaculture purposes. ·
Select properly labeled
chemicals, where all ingredients are shown, based on efficacy data and
available information regarding environmental persistence and potential
effects on nontarget organisms. Be aware of the potential risks of the
chemical selected. ·
Follow the instructions
on the label regarding proper dose, withdrawal period, storage and handling,
disposal, and expiration date. ·
Be certain workers are
properly attired and trained in the application of the chemical and know the
risks involved. ·
Reduce the risk of
potential runoff or pesticide drift to insure it does not enter the nontarget
environment. ·
Keep accurate records on
chemical applications that include date and amount used, method of
application, species treated, date product harvested, and testing results. ·
Test water, soil, and
product periodically for chemical residues. Table 1.
Hazardous and banned chemicals historically used in agriculture and
aquaculture.
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