Certification Issues for Some Common Aquaculture Species

Passing the Panda Standard: A TAD Off the Mark?

“…According to the review, the spread of disease from farm to wild fish is a possibility but is of low relative importance. The review also indicates that a high incidence of disease on a farm can be expected at sites where waterquality parameters are outside optimal ranges and that fish are often susceptible to disease when stocked at high density and subject to stress (Boyd et al 2005). The draft standard (WWF 2008a) reiterates this position, stating that ''there are few recorded cases of disease directly attributed to tilapia farming.''…”

“…These are the following: fish health, resource use, water quality and the aquatic environment, and user conflicts and wildlife. The review (Boyd et al 2005) notes that tilapia are more resistant to disease than most farmed fish species and that there is little use of antibiotics, drugs, and other chemicals for disease control in their culture. It also suggests that certification programs should discourage the use of antibiotics and drugs and should disallow their use as prophylactics.…”

“…Findings relating to tilapia were published in a peer-reviewed article that provided a reference point for the subsequent development of TAD principles (Boyd et al 2005). Because the TAD is an ongoing process that has not yet reached its final conclusion, it represents something of a ''moving target.''…”

“…To assist aquaculture dialogue stakeholders to develop certification standards, the WWF commissioned a review of information on culture methods, possible negative environmental and social impacts, and food safety concerns for a number of cultured aquatic species under consideration for certification (Boyd et al 2005). Findings relating to tilapia were published in a peer-reviewed article that provided a reference point for the subsequent development of TAD principles (Boyd et al 2005).…”

“…Because the TAD is an ongoing process that has not yet reached its final conclusion, it represents something of a ''moving target.'' In this article, therefore, the authors elected to evaluate the most recent version of the draft standards (which remain under public review and subject to further change) (WWF 2008a), alongside the review (Boyd et al 2005) (which is a complete document, the central assumptions of which continue, with some notable exceptions, to be reflected in subsequent draft TAD standards). Additional information is drawn from supporting documents published on the TAD Web site as outcomes of TAD meetings.…”