Solutions for sustainable mariculture - Convention on Biological ...

<strong>Solutions</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>sustainable</strong> <strong>mariculture</strong> - avoiding the adverse effects of <strong>mariculture</strong> on biological diversityANNEX IIIRECOMMENDATIONS OF THE AD HOC TECHNICAL EXPERT GROUPON MARICULTUREThe Expert Group thanks FAO <strong>for</strong> its technicalsupport and <strong>for</strong> the provision of meeting facilitiesand welcomes the ef<strong>for</strong>ts of the FAO in implementingthe Code of Conduct on Responsible Fisheries.1. General recommendationsThe Expert Group:(a) Recommends that <strong>Convention</strong> on BiologicalDiversity should adopt the Article 9 of the‘Aquaculture Development’ of CCRF (FAO,1995) and other provisions of the CCRF <strong>for</strong>dealing with <strong>mariculture</strong> because it has thenecessary ingredients to develop legislationand policy framework at national, regionaland international levels;(b) Notes that the FAO glossary of terms isskewed towards marine capture fisheries, andrecommends that this glossary be expandedin regards to its terminology related to aquaculture;(c) Recommends that the <strong>Convention</strong> onBiological Diversity, FAO and other relevantorganizations harmonize the use of terms inregards to <strong>mariculture</strong> by further developingand adopting the FAO glossary;(d) Recommends that the <strong>Convention</strong> onBiological Diversity collaborate with the FAO,and other relevant organizations to developprogrammes to assess the consequences of<strong>mariculture</strong> <strong>for</strong> biodiversity;(e) Recommends the promotion of technicalexchange and training programmes, andtransfer of tools and technology;(f) Recommends the facilitation of the provisionof funding <strong>for</strong> country-level, regional,and international activities relating to the priorityneeds identified by the Expert Group;(g) Recommends that the <strong>Convention</strong> onBiological Diversity undertake a comprehensivereview of all relevant documents on goodpractices in management relevant to <strong>mariculture</strong>;(h) Recommends that the <strong>Convention</strong> onBiological Diversity in collaboration with relevantbodies review and evaluate meanswhere <strong>mariculture</strong> can be used to help restoreor maintain biodiversity;(i) Recommends promotion of good managementand good legal and institutionalarrangements <strong>for</strong> <strong>sustainable</strong> <strong>mariculture</strong>.2. Mitigating adverse effects of <strong>mariculture</strong> onmarine and coastal biodiversityThe Expert Group recognizes the complexity of<strong>mariculture</strong> activities, the highly variable circumstancesof different geographical areas, <strong>mariculture</strong>practices and cultured species, social, cultural andeconomic conditions. Although this diversity willinfluence mitigation options, the Group recommendsthe use of following methods and techniques<strong>for</strong> the mitigation of adverse biodiversityrelatedeffects of <strong>mariculture</strong>:(a) Environmental impact assessments (EIAs) orsimilar assessment and monitoring proceduresshould be made mandatory <strong>for</strong> <strong>mariculture</strong>developments with due considerationof scale and nature of the operation, as well asthe carrying capacities of the ecosystem onthe ecosystem level. Immediate, intermediateand long-term likely impacts on all levels ofbiodiversity must be addressed;(b) Criteria should be developed <strong>for</strong> when EIAs46