Challenging the Aquaculture Industry on Sustainability-Greenpeace ...

<strong>Aquaculture</strong>
Certification
06
©GREENPEACE / D BELTRA
image Shrimps.
The growth of aquaculture has led to a multiplicity of concerns
attached to environmental impacts, social impacts, food safety,
animal health and welfare and economic/financial issues. All of <strong>the</strong>se
factors influence <strong>the</strong> sustainability of a given aquaculture system.
Presently, <strong>the</strong>re are a growing number of certification schemes which
seek to reassure buyers, retailers and consumers about various of
<strong>the</strong>se concerns. Currently existing certification schemes, however, do
not cover all of <strong>the</strong>se issues and can sometimes present a confusing
and conflicting picture to retailers and consumers. A recent analysis of
18 aquaculture certification schemes by <strong>the</strong> World Wildlife Fund
(WWF) showed that <strong>the</strong>y generally had major shortcomings in terms
of <strong>the</strong> way in which <strong>the</strong>y considered environmental standards and
social issues 68 .
The WWF report sets out benchmark criteria on environmental,
social and animal welfare issues in aquaculture. The FAO has also
recently published a document which covers many of <strong>the</strong> relevant
issues and could be used as a guide by certification bodies 69 . Any
certification process, as an absolute minimum, needs to conform to
<strong>the</strong>se FAO guidelines. None<strong>the</strong>less, certification criteria alone will
not ensure <strong>the</strong> sustainability of <strong>the</strong> aquaculture industry worldwide.
In order to do so, a more fundamental rethink and restructuring of
<strong>the</strong> industry is essential.
Greenpeace International <strong>Challenging</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Aquaculture</strong> <strong>Industry</strong> on Sustainability 17