August 17, 2006

 

UK's Soil Association sets new benchmark for organic aquaculture

 

 

UK's Soil Association, the original organic standards organisation, has rolled out an improved set of standards on organic aquaculture following eight years of development.

 

Although the Soil Association's aquaculture standards have had full organic status from the Government's Advisory Committee on Organic Standards (ACOS) since 1998, the Association has made further improvements.

 

The association's focus is now on sustainable fish feeds, moving away from potentially polluting veterinary treatments, and farming multiple species of fish, sea-weed and crustaceans to minimise nutrient losses.

 

Members use only fishmeal for organic feed and, where possible, fish oil made from the filleting waste products of fish already caught for human consumption.

 

As these wastes are recycled, there is no pressure on wild fish stocks.

 

The Soil Association has worked with the Marine Stewardship Council, Aquascot - the sustainable seafood company, to ensure that by 2010, all fishmeal and oil used in Soil Association-certified diets is produced from waste products of sustainable fisheries.

 

Utilising waste nutrients as a resource is a central part of organic principles, and the Soil Association is keen to promote multi-species farming. The farming-model is currently being tested at an organic salmon farm on the Western Isles.

 

By combining the culture of fish, shellfish and seaweeds, more fish wastes can be absorbed. At the same time, this would allow the farm to produce secondary crops while reducing environmental impact.

 

The Soil Association Council maintained interim status for eight years while conducting an intensive three-year scientific research and development programme, which was finished in July.

 

Soil Association Scotland Director Hugh Raven said the Soil Association's overall aim is to achieve the most sustainable production for aquaculture.

 

Soil Association aquaculture specialist Peter Bridson said Soil Association-certified organic salmon and trout are the most sustainably produced fish consumers can buy.

 

Bridson also added that organic farmed-fish allows smaller-scale, locally-based producers to make a living without upsetting the ecological balance of the aquatic environment.