Organic Aquaculture Certification Requirements

General Requirements for Organic Aquaculture

On the general requirements for organic aquaculture, Sistem Patent Kalite, as the authorised certification firm, reviews the water-quality analysis and confirms conformity. If pollution is present, aquaculture production cannot start until the issue is resolved.

The organic aquaculture production unit cannot be located in an area that is a significant pollution source or within a watercourse bed. The ecological balance of the water source used by the operation cannot be disturbed. In organic aquaculture, intervention is not permitted when production on the farm is above the minimum 5% threshold.

The entrepreneur, after signing a contract with the authorised firm under ministry permit, enters the transition period. For aquaculture production, the transition period is set by the authorised firm based on the species, the life-cycle stage considered, the production stage, the farming technique, the water properties, and the historical use of the site. For materials coming from conventional production, the transition period is at least two-thirds of the life span.

Organic aquaculture has to be compatible with environmental protection, waste cannot harm the environment, biodiversity has to be supported, species and sub-species selection has to match capacities and local conditions, and every measure has to be taken to protect water structure. Controls have to be put in place to prevent escapes from the production facility to the wild and the ingress of wild organisms into the production area. Controls should protect the production site from predatory birds and other animal species without physically harming those predators. Equipment and paints used in production have to be selected in line with organic production principles. Marking of living organisms is permitted as long as it does not harm the animal.

All production activities at organic aquaculture farming sites operate under the oversight of Sistem Patent Kalite, the authorised certification firm.

Organic aquaculture products have to be produced in line with organic farming conditions, and feed and feed additives used have to be organically produced. Feed has to meet the nutritional requirements of the animals at different stages of development without compromising natural taste. Animal-origin feeds such as bone meal and blood meal that have been subjected to synthetic chemical treatment cannot be used. Where all feed ingredients cannot be sourced organically, the authorised firm can permit the use of conventional feed up to 20% for a defined period. Synthetic colouring agents and unnatural methods for colouring fish flesh cannot be used.

Where certain nutritional supplements are needed to meet the organic aquaculture products' nutritional requirements, minerals and vitamins can be used with permission from the authorised firm. Use of wet feed is not permitted.

The use of synthetic substances that accelerate the growth of organic aquaculture is prohibited. However, hypophysis injection in organic aquaculture, sourced from the same species under cultivation, can be used with permission from the authorised firm.

All firms running organic aquaculture have to keep current, organised records.

Methods used during the capture and slaughter of organic aquaculture products have to avoid causing excessive stress.

At least 20% of the broodstock at the farming unit is renewed each year.

Polyculture is preferred where suitable. The natural requirements of every cultured species are met.