Aquaculture Certification the WWF Approach Carson Roper – WWF US Geneva, Switzerland 16 June 2010

223 Fastest growth is in developing countries MT x

But aquaculture has impacts  Habitat conversion  Antibiotic & chemical use  Benthic biodiversity  Escape of exotics  Social & labor  Feed management 3 3

4 Solution Standards for certifying aquaculture products 4

5 WWF has expertise to create standards  Rainforest Marketing – 1980s  Forest Stewardship Council – 1990s  Marine Stewardship Council – 1990s  Marine Aquarium Council – 1990s  Protected Harvest – 2000  Climate Savers s  New Program for IT Industry – 2007  Aquaculture Dialogues – 2000s 5

666 Process  Global initiative  Multi-stakeholder  Open and inclusive  Transparent  Based on sound science  Measurable standards  Consensus-based  Goal is to follow ISEAL guidelines 6

7 Objectives of the Dialogues  Measurably reduce the critical impacts of aquaculture on society  Measurably reduce the critical impacts of aquaculture on the environment  Help strengthen the economic viability of aquaculture 9 7

8 Aquaculture Dialogue Standards - Timeline  Tilapia …………………. Available  Pangasius …………….. Q  Oysters ………………… Q  Clams ………..………… Q  Mussels …………..…… Q  Scallops ………………... Q  Abalone ………………… Q  Shrimp …………………. Q  Salmon …………………. Q  Freshwater trout ……….. Q

Aquaculture Stewardship Council Creating Change on the Water 9 9

10 Aquaculture Stewardship Council  The ASC will offer farm level annual certification.  The ASC will use accredited third-party Certification Bodies (CB) that are ISO 65 compliant.  The ASC will initially offer certification for 12 aquaculture commodity species, which are: salmon, shrimp, pangasius, tilapia, freshwater trout, oysters, mussels, clams, scallops, abalone, cobia, and seriola.  The ASC standards will focus on minimizing environmental and social impacts.  The ASC will “partner” with accredited organizations that offer food safety standards and traceability. Thus offering “one-stop-shopping” for certification. 10

Aquaculture Stewardship Council What is ASC? More than a standards holding body, it is a global transformation system for aquaculture:  Credible – goal is to follow ISEAL guidelines, multi stakeholder, open and transparent, science based performance metrics  Effective – minimizes the environmental and social footprint of commercial aquaculture by addressing key impacts  Adds value – connects the farm to the marketplace by promoting sustainable practices through a consumer - label 11

12 Aquaculture Stewardship Council Farm = “unit of certification” Aquaculture Dialogues = “standard creation process” Aquaculture Stewardship Council = “standard holding body” Certification Bodies = “3 rd party ISO 65 accredited” the process incorporates firewalls to maintain independence and integrity 12

13 Aquaculture Stewardship Council 13

14 Aquaculture Stewardship Council  ASC to be fully operational by mid  Dr. Philip Smith has been hired as the Development Director –  The Development Director is tasked with:  Sourcing potential partners and funding for start-up costs.  Updating business plan and projections.  Creating the administrative and institutionalization of the ASC (governance, by-laws, etc…); and, ASC set up – office, web- site, staff, etc.  Establishing a certification process. 14

Aquaculture Stewardship Council  Buidling ASC: part of broader programme:  Module I : Building ASC  Module II: Accomplishment of Aquaculture Dialogues  Module III-VI: Improvement Programmes »Tilapia »Pangasius »Shrimps »Salmon 15

16 Get involved