In recent years, aquaculture development has been repeatedly promoted as a solution to meet growing world food needs from fish. Traditional forms of aquaculture can and have made substantial contributions to food supplies in areas of the world where food needs are most acute. However, recent patterns of aquaculture development have emphasized the production of high value species for export markets. In particular, the rapid development and expansion of intensive aquaculture for shrimp has resulted in widespread degradation of the environment, displacement of coastal fishing and farm communities, and a negative impact on local food supplies and food security.

    The FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries in Article 9 urges responsible aquaculture development. National and regional implementation of the FAO Code, the Convention on Biological Diversity and other existing laws and policies, must be pursued in a manner which ensures that unsustainable aquaculture is prohibited before there is irreversible damage, loss of biodiversity, or harm to coastal communities.

    The undersigned Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) urge governments to agree to:

  Ensure that artisanal fisheries and dependent coastal communities, and their access to community resources, are not adversely affected by aquaculture development or operations, including extensive and semi-intensive as well as intensive aquaculture methods.

Ensure the use of environmental and social impact statements prior to aquaculture development and the regular and continuous monitoring of the environmental and social impacts of aquaculture operations.

Ensure the protection of mangrove forests, wetlands, and other ecologically sensitive areas.

Prohibit the use of toxic and bioaccumulative compounds in aquaculture operations.

Apply the precautionary approach to aquaculture development.

Prohibit the pollution of surrounding areas resulting from the excessive discharge of organic wastes.

Prohibit the development and use of genetically modified organisms.

Prohibit the use of exotic/alien species.

Prohibit the use or salinization of fresh water supplies, including groundwater, important for drinking or agriculture.

Prohibit use of feeds in aquaculture operations consisting of fish that can be consumed by people.

Prohibit the wholesale conversion of agricultural or cultivable land to aquaculture use.

Ensure that the collection of larvae does not adversely affect species biodiversity.

Ensure that abandoned or degraded aquaculture sites are ecologically rehabilitated and that the companies or industry responsible bear the costs of rehabilitation.

Ensure that aquaculture and other coastal developments are addresses in integrated coastal zone management planning which includes the meaningful participation of all coastal user groups.

Ensure the development of aquaculture in a manner which is compatible with the social, cultural and economic interests of coastal communities, and ensure that such developments are sustainable, socially equitable and ecologically sound.

Ensure that multi-lateral banks, bilateral aid agencies, and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization and other relevant national and international organizations or institutions do not fund or otherwise promote aquaculture development inconsistent with the above criteria.

    This statement has been endorsed by the following NGO's: Accion Ecologica, Ecuador, Christian Aid, UK, Coalition of Environmental NGOs, Bangladesh, Consumers Association of Penang, Malaysia, CODDEFFAGOLF, Honduras, Dessarrollo Ambiente y Sociedad, Mexico , Earth Island Institute, USA, Environmental Defense Fund, USA, Greenpeace International, Indigenous Community Rights Forum, Papua New Guinea, International Collective in Support of Fishworkers, Mangrove Action Project, Movimiento Nacional Pescadores Riberenos, Mexico, Nijera Kori, Bangladesh, Ocean Advocates, USA, Orissa Krushak Mahasangh, India, Peoples Action Against Shrimp Industry, India, PREPARE, India, Sahabat Alam Malaysia, Sierra Club Canada, Sea Turtle Restoration Project , USA, Swedish Society for Nature Conservation , Third World Network, Yadfon Association, Thailand.