Organic aquaculture

Organic aquaculture is a holistic method for farming fish and other marine species in line with organic principles.[1] The ideals of this practice established sustainable marine environments with consideration for naturally occurring ecosystems, use of pesticides, and the treatment of aquatic life.[2] Managing aquaculture organically has become more popular since consumers are concerned about the harmful impacts of aquaculture on themselves and the environment.[3]

The availability of certified organic aquaculture products have become more widely available since the mid-1990s.[4] This seafood growing method has become popular in Germany, the United Kingdom and Switzerland,[5] but consumers can be confused or skeptical about the label due to conflicting and misleading standards around the world.[6]

A certified organic product seal on aquaculture products will mean an accredited certifying body has verified that the production methods meet or exceed a country's standard for organic aquaculture production.[2] Organic regulations designed around soil-based systems don't transfer well into aquaculture [7] and tend to conflict with large-scale, intensive (economically viable) practices/goals. There are a number of problems facing organic aquaculture: difficulty of sourcing and certifying organic juveniles (hatchery or sustainable wild stock); 35-40% higher feed cost; more labour-intensive; time and cost of the certification process; a higher risk of diseases, and uncertain benefits.[8] But, there is a definite consumer demand for organic seafood, and organic aquaculture may become a significant management option with continued research.

  1. ^ "IFOAM Aquaculture | IFOAM". www.ifoam.bio. Retrieved 2016-04-21.
  2. ^ a b "Safeguarding the Environment: Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance". www.aquaculture.ca. Archived from the original on 2016-03-23. Retrieved 2016-04-22.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Organic Aquaculture 2009: Production and Markets was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference The World of Organic Agriculture was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference The European consumers’ understanding and perceptions of the “organic” food regime: The case of aquaculture was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference Organic views of nature: The debate over organic certification for aquatic animals was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference Organic Aquaculture: a strategy for valorisation of semi-intensive aquaculture? was invoked but never defined (see the help page).