Chamberlain Talks GAA, BAP In Asia, Chile

Chamberlain Talks GAA, BAP In Asia, Chile

Global Aquaculture Alliance President George Chamberlain represented GAA and the Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) certification program at varied international venues in recent months. China Chamberlain presented a talk on “The Role of Industry Associations in Adding Value” at the annual conference of the International Fishmeal and Fish Oil Organisation (IFFO) in Beijing, China, on October 26. He explained GAA’s evolution, including the implementation of its BAP standards, and recommended continued collaboration between GAA and IFFO in their respective certification programs and annual meetings. IFFO is an international non-profit organization that represents fishmeal and fish oil producers and related trades throughout the world. IFFO has developed a global certification program for the responsible supply of fishmeal and fish oil that, like BAP, recognizes the importance of responsible sourcing, production and supply practices. GAA and IFFO are now working toward interconnecting BAP certification and the IFFO responsible supply standards to demonstrate the sustainability of the complete aquaculture supply chain. Indonesia In early October, Chamberlain presented “Global Status of Shrimp Farming” at the Indonesian Aquaculture meeting in Lampung, Indonesia. With a special emphasis on certification, he discussed the importance of sustainability as technology advances in breeding and intensive culture. Chamberlain also addressed disease issues, including the infectious myonecrosis virus that is plaguing Indonesian shrimp farms. The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries holds Indoaqua to share new technology with varied stakeholders and highlight innovations in the aquaculture sector. Thailand Chamberlain met with representatives of the Thai Board of Trade and Thai Frozen Food Association September 20 to discuss benchmarking of standards and traceability data. To gain additional credibility in world markets, Thailand established the ThaiGAP program of quality management for farmed products, which certifies food safety. The ThaiGAP standards have been benchmarked to the international Global-GAP system, and there is interest in benchmarking ThaiGAP with the Best Aquaculture Practices certification program for farmed seafood. The meeting was an opportunity for GAA to further collaborate with the newly formed ThaiGAP. Thai shrimp farmers are already recording some traceability data that could be made compatible with BAP’s required traceability system. Chile In Puerto Montt, Chile, Chamberlain made two presentations on certification – “Trends and Benchmarking” and “Customer and Retailer Views” – in a September 9 meeting of approximately 70 industry participants called ABCs of Certification. Organized by Adolfo Avial Associates, the event included presentations about the Best Aquaculture Practices program, GlobalGAP, SalmonChile and the World Wildlife Fund’s salmon standards. On September 10, BAP auditor Giovanni Garofalo visited two major processing plants to conduct a preassessment audit of compliance with BAP standards. His analysis indicated that Chilean salmon-processing plants are well positioned to become BAP-certified.

Shrimpculture in The Rainy Season

https://youtu.be/u-5XIeOQuNE

The Rainy Season, Do not be Lazy to Feed for Shrimps During the rainy season, the feeding programs (mainly related to the daily feeding) is usually disrupted both the feeding frequency and the level of prevalence of feed distribution in the pond. This condition is more influenced by human resource factor, mainly who is responsible for providing feed on shrimps. The factor associated with this condition is the level of discipline in conducting the feeding program that has been determined. It can not be denied, during the rainy season usually creates a feeling lazy on human. As already mentioned above that aspects of feeding programs are usually disrupted during the rainy season is the levels of feeding frequency and feed distribution prevalence. If connected with a sense of lazy that appears during the rainy season, the feeding conditions that occur are as follows: 1. During the rain, feeding program is not conducted. This condition cause a reduction in feeding frequency on that day; 2. During the rain, the feed given to shrimp is not scattered evenly in the pond but just piled on some point locations. This condition causes the feed is not spread evenly. Both conditions mentioned above, if conducted repeatedly in one period may lead to disruption of shrimp condition especially on the level of shrimps uniformity even in extreme conditions can cause a decreasing in shrimp populations with the rationale as follows: 1. Feed given unevenly in a pond (only in some locations) lead to some shrimps in a population missed the feed to be consumed. This condition can cause the level of shrimp growth in the population is not the same relatively, so if this happens repeatedly, the level of shrimps uniformity in the population will vary; 2. Reduced frequency of on shrimp feeding at a a moment will be able to make the shrimp in the process of cannibalism as a “claim” against the needs of feed at that time. Continuous process of cannibalism which will cause the decreasing of shrimp population in a cultivation period. Referring to the mentioned explanation above, even though the rainy season it should avoid feeling lazy in providing feed to the shrimp. Discipline factor is one important factor in the shrimp culture, especially during the rainy season. However as is often described in previous discussions that one of the basic philosophy of shrimp culture is "we follow the shrimp needs not the shrimps follow our desire." Referring to this condition it can be said that the shrimps were also always having needs that must be met in any season. So when the rainy season, it should avoid the feeling lazy to feed on shrimp, because when rain the shrimps also require feed to be consumed.

Global Outlook for Aquaculture Leadership

GOAL 2010 Highlights Shifting Seafood Demand,
Need for Greater Aquaculture Productivity
Economist Albert Zeufack set the stage for a GOAL 2010
that revealed strategic global trends driving seafood demand and
increased aquaculture productivity by describing in his keynote
how global economic power is shifting from West to East.
The shift is creating a large new middle class in the Asian economies,
particularly in China, Zeufack said at the October 17-20
meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This in turn is driving a surge
in seafood consumption that far outstrips previous projections based
solely on population increases. This megatrend is already well under
way and is expected to continue for several decades.
The nearly 300 international aquaculture and seafood industry
leaders at Global Outlook for Aquaculture Leadership
(GOAL) 2010 also heard that imported seafood is playing agrowing role
in the domestic market of China, by far the world’s
leading aquaculture producer.
Economist Ragnar Tveteras evaluated economic indicators
from the International Monetary Fund and World Bank and
stated that China will shift from being a net seafood exporter to
a net seafood importer by 2011. His conclusion triangulated
with feedback from other speakers on the Chinese market.
Organized by the Global Aquaculture Alliance, the GOAL
meeting was co-hosted by the Malaysia Department of Fisheries
at the Shangri-La Hotel in Kuala Lumpur. GOAL 2010’s
momentous conclusions helped buyers and producers adjust their
strategic plans to avoid potential disruptions in supply and
demand.
With the framework of surging seafood demand in mind,
GOAL speakers addressed the question of how to sustainably
increase production. One recommended thrust was to utilize
improved technology. Robins McIntosh of the C.P. Group the
described advances in penaeid shrimp technology using genetically
improved animals within controlled growout systems to increase
productivity. Shorter cycles also drive down feed and energy costs.
This solution produces more seafood with fewer resources.
Another recommendation was expansion of production area
into undeveloped regions, particularly Africa, where such economic
development would lead to important community benefits.
In order to assure sustainability, GOAL speakers also
emphasized the importance of certification and traceability of
each link in the supply chain. Updates were provided on GAA’s
newly released Best Aquaculture Practices standards for
Pangasius and feed mills, and the status of salmon standards,
which are expected soon. Participants at GOAL 2010 provided
feedback on major issues through individual responses to questions
posed through an audience response system.
A key benefit of GOAL was the opportunity for industry
leaders to network during pre-conference tours, luncheons, coffee
breaks and receptions. A highlight of the event was the gala
reception at the prestigious Malaysian Petroleum Club, which
offered a commanding view of Kuala Lumpur from the heights
of the city’s trademark Petronas Twin Towers.
GOAL 2010 helped identify a pivotal point for global aquaculture
production. The Global Aquaculture Alliance plans to
follow up on the trends it examined in Malaysia at GOAL 2011,
scheduled for Santiago, Chile, in late October or early November of next year.

BAP Standards Oversight Committee Approves Feed Standards

BAP Standards Oversight Committee Approves Feed Standards, Considers IOMs For Small Farms Continued progress in standards development and market reach was reported at the Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) Standards Oversight Committee (SOC) meeting held March 14 in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. In his introduction, GAA Executive Director Stevens summarized the overall progress of the BAP program. He referred to large posters and said market demand for “two-star” product from BAP-certified farms and processing plants is driving an increase in farm certification, particularly at tilapia facilities. Additional processors are becoming engaged in anticipation of the BAP salmon farm standards. Stevens also described the proposed new organizational structure that would integrate the Aquaculture Certification Council (ACC) with GAA to manage the BAP certification process using ISO-accredited inspection bodies to conduct facility audits. Under the plan, the SOC would become part of the Responsible Aquaculture Foundation, a new body with charitable status. Within the foundation, Jeffrey Peterson would direct BAP’s education and training program. Integrated Operating Modules ACC President Jim Heerin joined Vice President Bill More and Peterson in providing an update on the Integrated Operating Module (IOM) program for multiple small shrimp farms. In IOMs, a number of farms with similar production methods and combined total annual production not exceeding 4,000 mt can be grouped together. All undergo full inspections and participate in traceability, but modified administrative arrangements allow the farms to save on certification costs. Each IOM must have a written quality management system defining how the group is managed to meet BAP standards criteria. Feed Standards The BAP feed mill standards were approved for release pending final changes and review. Requested changes included a requirement that sources for all fishmeal and fish oil be certified to the International Fishmeal and Fish Oil Organisation (IFFO) Global Standard for Responsible Supply or Marine Stewardship Council program within three years. Until that time, feed mills are required to develop a plan for transition to sustainable fishmeal sources. Tilapia, Salmon Standards Review of the BAP standards for tilapia farms saw a request to begin collecting fuel and energy use data so figures for direct energy use can be calculated. The SOC recommended the establishment of a minimum mean annual survival rate as an indicator of fish welfare. It was also suggested that the guidelines for predator control should be further strengthened and defined. Progress continues to be made on the BAP standards for salmon farms. Jon Bryan of the Tasmanian Conservation Trust was approved to join the Salmon Farm Technical Committee. As at tilapia facilities, fuel and energy use data will be recorded. In the future, such topics as greenhouse gases, acidification, biotic resource utilization, accumulated energy and eutrophication potential may be addressed in the standards. Introduced Species The BAP standards require documented proof that it is legal to farm a species in a particular place. To strengthen this, the applicability of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) Code of Practice on the Introductions and Transfers of Marine Organisms 2005 was considered. The code outlines requirements for member countries to consider ecological, genetic, disease and economic impacts prior to introducing a marine species. However, ICES only has 20 member countries, with no tropical or developing countries. It was concluded that the BAP program is functionally equivalent to the World Wildlife Fund tilapia standards regarding introduced species. Social Accountability Various options were discussed as to how to strengthen social accountability in the BAP standards. They could include a specific anti-discrimination clause and bans on forced or bonded labor. Interviews with workers could be conducted off site to allow more freedom in responses. Collaboration between BAP and Fair Trade certification – which channels price premiums back to producers for social projects and community benefits – may be considered. In a presentation, Maya Spaull of TransFair explained that Fair Trade certification does not aim to duplicate BAP. The program addresses economic and social criteria in the production and trade of agricultural products, and wants to address environmental issues, but not through its own standards. Audit Formatting BAP’s shift to ISO-65-accredited certification bodies for inspections saw a corresponding shift in the audit documents. BAP’s original audit forms included critical and scored questions, while the new processing plant audit has eliminated all scored questions in favor of the yes/no responses typical of GFSI-compliant standards. To make the program more consistent across facility types, possible solutions include converting scored questions “up” to critical or “down” to recommendations in the guidelines. Another option is to keep the scoring system, but identify persistent problem areas and then modify the standards accordingly. No decision on how to address the situation was made.