The Aquaculture Dialogues Creating standards for responsible aquaculture Christoph Mathiesen, WWF November 5-6th, Barcelona
Metric Tons 1970 Almost half of seafood is produced on a farm 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 140.000.000 120.000.000 Total Global Fish Production (Fisheries plus Aquaculture) 100.000.000 Global Aquaculture Production 80.000.000 60.000.000 40.000.000 20.000.000 0 Data Source FAO Fishstat 2006 Year
Fastest growth is in tropical countries MT x 10 6 333
WWF and Aquaculture Focus on aquaculture began with shrimp We looked at impacts and realized they could be reduced Evolved into multistakeholder development of performance-based, voluntary standards An aquaculture eco-label should cover a suite of species
Goal of the Aquaculture Dialogues Create measurable standards for environmentally and socially responsible aquaculture Industry should remain economically viable!
Why Create Standards? Minimize aquaculture s impact on: Society Environment 6
Key Impacts Across Multiple Species Water pollution Feed management Escapes and genetic impacts Use of water Habitat conversion Disease and parasite transfer Energy efficiency and carbon footprint Social/community impacts and user conflicts 7
Use standards to transform aquaculture Certify producers (ASC) robust, make difference Benchmark other standards Incorporate into government programs Create foundation for lending and investment screens
Number of producers Standards will encourage innovation Performance Curve Performance Shift Best Performance Performance level (e.g. water pollution) 9
Production (metric tons x millions) Production (metric tons x thousands) Production (metric tons x thousands) Production (metric tons x millions) Production (metric tons x millions) Production (metric tons x thousands) Standards to be created for 12 species Tilapia Salmon Trout Shrimp Aquaculture Pangasius Capture Abalone Source: FAO FishStat Aquaculture Production: Quantities 1950-2005 and Capture Production: 1950-2005 10
Production (metric tons x millions) Production (metric tons x millions) Production (metric tons x millions) Production (metric tons x millions) Standards to be created for 12 species Mussels Oysters Clams, Cockles & Arkshells Scallops Aquaculture Seriola/cobia Aquaculture Dialogue in development Capture 11 Source: FAO FishStat Aquaculture Production: Quantities 1950-2005 and Capture Production: 1950-2005
WWF has the expertise to create standards 7 Rainforest Marketing 1980s Forest Stewardship Council 1990s Marine Stewardship Council 1990s Marine Aquarium Council 1990s Protected Harvest 2000 Climate Savers - 2000s Aquaculture Dialogues 2000s Aquaculture Stewardship Council 2011 12
Aquaculture Dialogue Process 13
Dialogue process Multi-stakeholder Consensus oriented Transparent Based on sound science Performance-based Measurable standards ISEAL compliant -multi stakeholder, transparency, public hearing, -review on relevance and effectiveness 14
How do we create standards? Impact: The problem we want to minimize Principle: The guiding principle for addressing the impact Criteria: The area to focus on to address the impact Indicator: What to measure in order to determine the extent of the impact Standard: The number and/or performance level to reach to determine if the impact is being minimized
Piranha Aquaculture Dialogue Principle : Protect worker health and safety Criteria: Accidents on the farm Indicator: The number of lost fingers per month Standard: No more than 2 lost fingers per month
Examples from Pangasius Aquaculture Impact: Water pollution Principle: Minimize the negative impact of pangasius farming on water resources. Criteria: Water quality of effluents Indicators: Percentage change of total phosphorus between pond and inlet Percentage change of total nitrogen between pond and inlet Standards: Total phosphorus: maximum 150 percent change (inlet to outlet) Total nitrogen: maximum 120 percent change
Aquaculture Dialogue Standards Expected Timeline Tilapia. Q4 2009 Pangasius.. Q1 2010 Oysters Q2 2010 Clams.. Q2 2010 Mussels.. Q2 2010 Scallops... Q2 2010 Abalone Q3 2010 Shrimp. Q2 2010 Salmon. Q3 2010 Freshwater trout.. Q3 2010 18