P. RAVICHANDRANCentral Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture &

Coastal Aquaculture Authority

REGULATORY NEEDS FOR SUSTAINABLE SHRIMP FARMING

Capture fisheries in 2012 - 181.8 million mt

Aquaculture production - 90.4 million mt (23.8 m mt of algae)

Fish for Human consumption - 158 million mt

Aquaculture contribution - 42.1%

- 66.6 million mt

Annual Growth rate 1990-2000 - 9.5%

2000-2012 - 6.2%

More than 90% of global aquaculture output is produced in developing countries.

AQUACULTURE GROWTH

With Capture Fisheries production is stagnant

Aquaculture is expected to meet the ever increasing

Global food fish demand.

Increasing Volume of production, trade and consumption

Increasing demand for

Improved sustainability,

Social acceptability, and

Human health safety

AQUACULTURE GROWTH

‘The management and conservation of the natural resource base and the orientation of technological and institutional change in such a manner as to ensure the attainment and continued satisfaction of human needs for present and future generations’.

Such sustainable development

conserves land, water, plant and animal genetic resources, environmentally non-degrading,

technically appropriate,

economically viable and

socially acceptable

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Sustainability key issues

1. Introduction of alien and/or genetically altered organisms

2. Potential conflicts with other users of aquatic resources

3. Food safety and aquatic animal health

4. Use of fish meal and fish oil

5. Environmental impact due to aquaculture farm effluent

6. Conversion of other land categories for aquaculture.

Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries

Considering the concerns expressed on the long-term sustainability of fisheries and aquaculture,

due to over-exploitation of important fish stocks,

damage to ecosystems,

economic losses, and

issues affecting fish trade,

FAO adopted on 31 October 1995, by consensus after a series of meetings during 1991 – 1995, the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (CCRF).

Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries

• Sets out principles and international standards of behaviour for responsible practices for effective conservation, management of living aquatic resources

• Recognizes the nutritional, economic, social and environmental and cultural importance of fisheries and interests of all stakeholders

• Takes into account the biological characteristics of the resources and their environments and

• The interests of consumers and other users

Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries

Technical Guidelines for Responsible Fisheries

International Principles for Responsible farming of specific candidate species

Location specific Codes of Practice (COP), BMPs suitable for adoption by farmers in particular social, economic and environmental contexts.

public and private sectors

ARTICLE 9. AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT

• AT NATIONAL LEVELAT NATIONAL LEVEL– Development of legal and administrative frame workDevelopment of legal and administrative frame work– Evaluation of the impact of aquaculture on genetic Evaluation of the impact of aquaculture on genetic

diversity and ecological integrity diversity and ecological integrity – Ecologically sustainable and rational use of resourcesEcologically sustainable and rational use of resources– Should not affect livelihood of local communities and Should not affect livelihood of local communities and

their access to water fronttheir access to water front– Environmental assessment and monitoringEnvironmental assessment and monitoring– Co-operation with neighbouring countries in trans-Co-operation with neighbouring countries in trans-

boundary ecosystems – introduction of exoticsboundary ecosystems – introduction of exotics– Conservation of genetic diversity and maintaining Conservation of genetic diversity and maintaining

integrity of aquatic communities and ecosystems.integrity of aquatic communities and ecosystems.

ARTICLE 9. AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT

• AT NATIONAL LEVEL (contd…..)

– International code and practices for introduction and transfer of aquatic organisms.

– To minimize risks of disease transfer to wild and cultured stocks

– Development of culture techniques for endangered species

ARTICLE 9. AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT• AT PRODUCTION LEVEL

In support of rural communities, producer organizations and fish farmers–Promote active participation of fish farmers and their communities –Promote effective farm and fish health management practices –Safe, effective and minimal use of therapeutants, hormones and drugs, antibiotics and other disease control chemicals should be ensured.–regulate the use of chemical inputs in aquaculture –the disposal of wastes does not constitute a hazard to human health and the environment

–ensure the food safety of aquaculture products

International principles for Responsible shrimp farming

• Key issues identified though consultation

• Development of an internationally agreed document– Globally accepted

management principles for “responsible” shrimp aquaculture

– Guiding principles– Key criteria

The 8 principles for responsible shrimp farming

1. Farm Siting2. Farm Design3. Water Use4. Broodstock and postlarvae5. Feed Management6. Health Management7. Food Safety8. Social Responsibility

Principle 1: Farm SitingPrinciple

Locate shrimp farms according to national planning and legal frameworks in environmentally suitable locations, making efficient use of land and water resources and in ways that conserve biodiversity, ecologically sensitive habitats and ecosystem functions, recognizing other land uses, and that other people and species depend upon these same ecosystems.

Implementation guidance• Build new shrimp farms above the inter-tidal zone. • No net loss of mangroves or other sensitive wetland

habitats. • Do not locate shrimp farms on sandy soils or other areas where

seepage or other areas where seepage or discharge of salt water may affect agricultural land or freshwater supplies.

• Do not locate new shrimp farms in areas that have already reached carrying capacity for aquaculture

• Retain buffer zones and habitat corridors between farms and other users and habitats.

• Obey land use and other planning laws and coastal management plans.

• Improve existing farms in inter-tidal and mangrove areas through mangrove restoration, retiring unproductive ponds and increasing productivity of remaining farm areas above the inter-tidal zone.

PrincipleDesign and construct shrimp farms in ways that minimize environmental damage.

Implementation guidance• Incorporate buffer areas and techniques and

engineering practices that minimize erosion and salination of surrounding areas during farm construction and operation.

• Minimize disturbance of acid-sulphate soils during construction and operation.

• Conserve biodiversity and encourage re-establishment of natural habitats in farm design

• Minimize creation of degraded areas such as unused soil piles and borrow pits.

• Design dykes, canals and infrastructure in ways that do not adversely affect hydrology.

• Separate effluent discharge points from inlet canal to reduce self pollution and maintain bio-security.

Principle 2: Farm Design

PrincipleMinimize the impact of water use for shrimp farming on water resources.

Implementation guidance• No use of fresh groundwater for

salinity control.• Use water efficiently through minimizing

water abstraction• Minimize discharge of farm effluents and

sediment to the environment. • Aim to return water with lower

concentrations of nutrients, organic matter and solids to the ecosystem than that (in influent) taken out

• Incorporate settlement and sedimentation ponds into the water inlet and outlet designs

• Manage water and soil quality to maintain suitable environmental conditions in shrimp ponds

• Obey national laws and guidelines on water use and effluent discharge.

Principle 3: Water Use

PrincipleWhere possible, use domesticated selected stocks of disease free and/or resistant shrimp broodstock and postlarvae to enhance bio-security, reduce disease incidence and increase production, whilst reducing the demand for wild stocks.

Implementation guidance• Avoid negative impacts on biodiversity from collection of

wild caught broodstock or post-larvae

• Give preference to local and indigenous shrimp species.

• Adopt on-farm quarantine and bio-security measures to reduce risks of disease introductions.

• Use domesticated stocks wherever possible.

• Stock good quality postlarvae to improve chances of successful harvest.

• Comply with national, regional and international criteria controlling the movement and quarantine of animals.

Principle 4: Broodstock and Postlarvae

PrincipleUtilize feeds and feed management practices that make efficient use of available feed resources, promote efficient shrimp growth, minimize production and discharge of wastes.

Implementation guidance• Use good quality formulated feeds. • Make efficient use of shrimp feed resources. • Minimize shrimp feed wastage.

Principle 5: Feed Management

PrincipleHealth management plans should be adopted that aim to reduce stress, minimize the risks of disease affecting both the cultured and wild stocks, and increase food safety.

Implementation guidance• Implement health management practices that

reduce shrimp stress and focus on disease prevention rather than treatment.

• Maintain bio-security and minimize disease transmission between broodstock, hatchery and growout systems.

• Implement management strategies that avoid spreading shrimp diseases within and between farms.

• Use veterinary drugs responsibly and minimize the use of antibiotics.

Principle 6: Health Management

Principle 7: Food Safety

PrincipleEnsure food safety and the quality of shrimp products, whilst reducing the risks to ecosystems and human health from chemical use.

Implementation guidance• No use of banned veterinary drugs and

chemicals• Be responsible in use of permitted

veterinary drugs and chemicals. • Apply quality control systems to produce

safe and quality shrimp farm products.• Implement measures for sanitary harvest,

handling and transport of shrimp.

PrincipleDevelop and operate farms in a socially responsible manner that benefits the farm, the local communities and the country, and that contributes effectively to rural development and particularly poverty alleviation in coastal areas, without compromising the environment.

Implementation guidance• Minimize conflicts with local communities that may result

from shrimp farm development and operation and ensure that aquaculture developments are mutually beneficial.

• Take measures to ensure shrimp farming benefits the communities in shrimp farm areas.

• Ensure shrimp farm worker welfare and fair working conditions.

• Minimize risks to smallholders engaged in shrimp farming through training, extension and appropriate technical and financial support

• Provide training to farmers and workers in responsible shrimp farming practices.

Principle 8: Social Benefits and equity

• Health Risk - Introduction of exotic viruses which might affect the native shrimp species

• Ecological risk of escape into natural environment and establishment thereby affecting the biodiversity

• Environmental risk - Globally L. vannamei culture is practiced in intensive systems which will lead to high nutrient loading in the system. To avoid such a loading highly technical and capital intensive recirculation systems/ Zero-water exchange system should be followed.

• Social risk - Social unrest is bound to result if high investors enter in the field and disturb the traditional and improved traditional system of farming that are being practiced by the small farmers

• Market risk - Globally the supply level will increase and result in further reduction in prices and we have to compete with established players in the field.

Risks of introduction of L. vannamei

Sl. No. Disease L. vannamei Reported in India

    1 Taura syndrome (TS) X    2 White spot disease (WSD)

    3 Yellowhead disease (YHD) X     4 Tetrahedral baculovirosis (BP)

    5 Spherical baculovirosis (MBV) X    6 Infectious hypodermal and

haematopoietic necrosis (IHHN)

9 Lymphoid Organ Vacuolization virus X

10 Reo like Viruses (REO) X

11 Necrotising Hepatopancreatitis (NHP)(Bacterial disease)

X

Health Risks

Guidelines for mitigation of Health Risks

• Shortlisting of the SPF Vannamei suppliers based on their genetic selection programme and the level of pathogen exclusion of SPF facility.

• Legal empowerment under Livestock importation Act, 1898.• Chennai as the legal point of entry for the present.

Importation through centralized quarantineImportation through centralized quarantine – Establishment of Aquatic Quarantine in Chennai

– Strict Pre-quarantine and Qurantine protocol to be notified under the Act and regulated by the Animal Quarantine Officer of AQ & CS of Ministry of Agriculture

– Import permit to be issued to limited number of hatcheries based on the seed requirements and the biosecurity facilities.

Guidelines for the mitigation of Ecological Risks

• No direct release of wastewater from Quarantine, Hatcheries and Farms permitted.

• Effluent treatment system is mandatory for all the three stages.

• Effluent treatment to include complete cholorination and dechlorination during quarantine and hatchery stages to prevent the escape of smaller larvae and also the pathogens.

Guidelines for preventing use of non-SPF stock

• There is a possibility of producing vannamei seed from pond grown stock. This will lead to disease outbreaks and also poor growth due to inbreeding. The following guidelines are important for avoiding this.– Only hatcheries and farms registered with CAA will be

permitted to import and culture L. vannamei.– A separate permission should be obtained for the

purpose from CAA– Hatcheries can sell seed only to farmers who have been

permitted– Farmers should buy only from hatcheries permitted to

rear vannamei seed– Processors should buy L. vannamei only from farmers

permitted to culture vannamei– A movement document will be maintained which should

contain the copies of the permission granted to the source hatchery, the farm where it was cultured and the processor who is exporting.

Guidelines for mitigating Environmental Risks

• Stocking density of up to 60 no/m2 permitted• Strict compliance to waste water standards prescribed by CAA• Effluent Treatment System mandatory for all the farms culturing

L. vannamei irrespective of the size of the farm and at no time water should be directly released into the open source water.

• Regular inspection of the farms with the collection of samples of waste water will be done by a committee constituted for the purpose by CAA with State Fisheries Departments taking active role

• Guidelines for L. vannamei rearing in hatchery and farm is to be notified under the Coastal Aquaculture Act, 2005 and will be governed by the Authority with co-operation from the State Fisheries Departments

PRESENT SCENARIO

• Production levels are increasing with increase in farming area. • Disease problem is persisting with WSSV and IHHNV outbreaks• Lack of biosecurity • Total disregard of pond preparation methods• Global prices which were very good is coming down• The sector has to protect itself from the fly-by-night operators

who are mushrooming due to the high profitability experienced during the last year

• The concern is whatever happens, the person who will be affected seriously is the small farmer.

• The farmers need to understand the importance of selecting the good quality seed from a reputed hatchery rather than buying cheap seed.

HOW TO SUSTAIN THE PRODUCTION LEVELS

• FARMERS SHOULD AVOID STOCKING ANY SEED – EVEN IF THERE IS A DELAY IN STOCKING THEY SHOULD WAIT FOR THE GOOD QUALITY SEED FROM A GOOD HATCHERY

• FARMERS SHOULD CONCENTRATE ON BIOSECURITY TO AVOID PATHOGEN INTRODUCTION

• FARMERS SHOULD FOLLOW SET PRINCIPLES OF POND PREPARATION – WATER AND SOIL QUALITY MANAGEMENT

• GROUP FARMING IS ESSENTIAL IN AREAS WHERE THE FARMS ARE LOCATED IN VERY CLOSE QUARTERS

• THE WHOLE SECTOR WILL BE SUSTAINABLE ONLY WHEN THE FARMER HAS SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION AND PROFITABILITY