National Aquaculture Organic Workshop Summary Report
Greg Bossart
President, New Hampshire Aquaculture Association
The National Organic Aquaculture Workshop was held June 23-24, 2000 and hosted by the Institute for Social and Economic Sustainability (ISEES) in conjunction with the University of Minnesota. The purpose of the workshop was to assist in the development of organic standards for aquaculture. The event drew an attendance of approximately 40 individuals, internationally, of which there was a moreorless equal distribution of representatives from all aspects of aquaculture and organic organizations, producer groups and university and government affiliations.
An attractive agenda gave way to some excellent presentations from members of the aquaculture and organic communities whom spoke on everything from the philosophy of organic aquaculture to the challenges faced with organic certification of aquatic animal feeds.
Following the plenary presentations on the first day, the group split into "small group breakout sessions" of which there were various topics of discussion from which to choose. Well prepared moderators and impeccable organization enabled these groups to work quite effectively. The sessions consisted of written comments, followed by deliberation, and were closed with written feedback so as to further identify specific concerns in unresolved issues.
A sufficient amount of break time was also allocated to allow for interpersonal discussion and expression of individual philosophies towards the movement of organic agriculture and its relatedness to aquaculture and the development of organic standards for aquaculture. I found this face to face communication and relationship development to be extremely worthwhile and educational. In this time, we also established surmountable common ground and initiated what will become long term working relationships.
The second day became a bit more informal as we decided to fashion the agenda and open up the discussion to one large working group to focus on principles of organic aquaculuture as presented by IFOAM (International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement). It was decided to utilize a draft of IFOAM's Basic Standards which was established to assist in the development of organic farming internationally. Our attention was concentrated on the general principles of organic production (relative to aquaculture) since these are the ultimate goals of the organic producer. These general principles are outlined under the headings of: basic conditions, location of production units, location of collecting areas, heath and welfare, spawning, reproduction and breeding, nutrition, harvesting, transportation of living aquatic organisms and slaughter. It was generally felt that we successfully progressed through this process and that, overall, there was more unanimity than might have been expected.
Overall, the workshop was a great success towards initiating what will and has already become an ongoing and dynamic discussion group that will communicate via the Internet. We have formed, as attendees of this workshop, an "Organic Aquaculture Working Group" that will continue to respond to one another and draft standards to be applied towards organic aquaculture. These recommendations will eventually be presented to the NOSB ( National Organic Standards Board) for consideration towards a national organic aquaculture policy. An Organic Aquaculture Planning Committee was also formed that will assist in developing agendas, time-lines and focus for the larger working group. This will provide greater efficiency and organization for our intention. There is also opportunity for anyone seriously interested in contributing to this effort to take part in an upcoming forum that will be posted on the Internet.
To conclude, I believe that organic aquaculture can have a significant and positive effect on the aquaculture industry as a whole and will certainly lend itself to a lucrative market for those wishing to practice it. A heightened conscientiousness in the diets of consumers validates the need to pursue organic production in aquaculture and moreover enables aquaculture to prevail as a permanent and sustainable fixture in the agricultural landscape.
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Last updated: 03/10/2009