The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) invites public feedback on new papers outlining recommendations to improve the ASC Salmon and Tilapia standards. Consultation closes on Sunday, 6 December 2015.
The three reports are part of ASC’s operational review and were produced in response to feedback received from the first round of public consultation, held earlier this year.
Feedback is sought on proposed amendments to:
- the Forage Fish Dependency Ratio (FFDR) in the ASC Salmon Standard
- the Parasiticide Treatment Index in the ASC Salmon Standard
- the antibiotic requirements in the ASC Tilapia standard.
ASC Salmon Standard Forage Fish Dependency Ratio
When the ASC launched the farmed salmon standard back in 2012, the Salmon Standard Forage Fish Dependency Ratio (FFDR) met best practice. However, three years on the FFDR standard is being updated to reflect current best practice.
Review feedback called for FFDR requirements to be revised to 1.2 for fishmeal and 2.8 for fish oil, from the original figures of 1.35 for fishmeal and 2.95 for fish oil.
ASC Salmon Standard Parasiticide Treatment Index
The second paper recommends replacing the Parasiticide Treatment Index (PTI) in the salmon standard to set a measure that reflects current best practice, shape the methodology used and maintain the rigour of the standard.
The paper outlines a number of options, including measures for responsible reduction of parasticides used to control and limit common diseases.
Antibiotic requirements in ASC Tilapia Standard
In line with best practice, there is a move to prohibit the use of antibiotics classified by WHO as critically important to human health.
The ASC will look to ensure that the current guidelines are met and that any changes will be applied during recertification at the next annual assessment. For farms under assessment, any changes will come into effect six months after any approved changes.
Anyone wishing to provide feedback can use the comments submission form on the ASC website or submit by email.
