Suggested Sustainability Criteria (DRAFT)
by
J. Primavera

Background

  1. Sources: Shiva (1996), FAO/NACA (1995), D. Fegan (6 July 1997 EM), A. Quarto (3 July 1997 EM)
  2. Sustainability criteria (R. Caffey, 3 July 1997 EM): a) briefly worded, b) categorized, c) measurable, with d) preferred direction (e.g., increase/decrease)
  3. Sustainability categories: Environmental, Economic and Social.
  4. Recommendations/management options (FAO/NACA, 1995) a) farm level b) public/government c) regional/international organization
  5. Most technical publications (e.g., manuals) focus on environmental criteria at the farm level.
  6. Measurability can be easily applied to environmental farm level criteria but not to others.
  7. Some of Shiva's "Do's" are standard pond management practices found in any manual.
 

Environmental Criteria

1.1. Farm level (See D. Fegan EM)

      1. Seed - increase use of hatchery fry: if only wild fry is available, collection methods should minimize or eliminate bycatch mortality.
      2. Fresh water use (m3/mt shrimp) - reduce or eliminate use of fresh water in culture ponds.
      3. Chemicals - minimize use and replace with alternative methods.
      4. Quality of receiving waters - no net change greater than x% in ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, phosphate, BOD, COD, TSS, etc. and alteration in planktonic/benthic populations. Mechanisms: effluent treatment, and disposal, reduced stocking densities, monitor water quality for compliance with prescribed standards.
      5. FCR (kg feed/kg shrimp produced) - reduce from current 1.8-2.0 to 1.2-1.6.
      6. Fresh feeds or wet diet (kg/kg shrimp) - reduce or eliminate.
      7. Food fish (for humans) - prohibit or eliminate use in shrimp culture.
      8. Site selection - criteria include tidal range, soil quality, non-agricultural land and following ICAM zonation guidelines
1.2. Public/Government level 1.2.1. ICAM - tools: GIS, remote sensing - aquaculture (& other zones) based on carrying/assimilating capacity of receiving waters - protection of common property resources, critical wetlands and agricultural lands - greenbelts/buffer zones along coastline and between farms.

1.2.2. EIA - during project planning stage BEFORE implementation - participation of all stakeholders, including local communities - include environmental, economic and social impacts - environmental audit.

1.2.3. Biodiversity - prohibit introduction of exotic species.

1.2.4. Biosafety - prohibit use of genetically modified organisms

1.2.5. Regulation and enforcement - chemical use, water quality (effluent) standards, wild fry collection, shrimp introductions.

1.2.6. Research and environmental monitoring programs.

1.2.7. Education (training and extension)

  2. Social Criteria (to follow)

2.1. Human rights - should not affect artisanal fisheries and other livelihoods of coastal communities.

3. Economic Criteria

4. Others

 

4.1 Precautionary principles