Training Course

Introduction to the Use of Risk Analysis in Aquaculture

Part 5: Relevant International Agreements, Treaties,

Memberships & Guidance

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“The consequences of an act affect the probability of its occurring again.”

B. F. Skinner (1904-1990)

Aquaculture’s 7 Risk Analysis Sectors

Ecological Risk Analysis (ERA)

Ecological impacts of introduced & transferred species (pests & Invasives)

Examples: o Transmission of disease organisms o Biological interaction of escapes with

wild populations including predation, competition, genetic impacts, etc.

o Physical interactions with aquatic life o Physical impacts on aquatic

ecosystems

Sustainable

Aquaculture

Development

Environmental Risk Analysis (ERA)

Risks to the physical & biological

environment in which aquaculture takes place

Examples: o Organic and chemical pollution o habitat change & loss o impacts on wild populations o secondary impacts on other

production systems

Pathogen Risk Analysis (PRA)

Pathogen risks posed by international & domestic movements, including on-farm

Genetic Risk Analysis Genetic Risks in aquaculture

o From new species & strains o From GMOs, triploids, etc.

Financial Risk Analysis

Business risks in aquaculture Costs to society of pathogens,

pests, invasives Social Risk Analysis

Risks to aquaculture from society

Risks to society from aquaculture

Food Safety/Human Health Risk Analysis

Microbiological risks in food

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Key Treaties and Agreements Related to International Trade in Aquatic Animal Commodities

Obligatory ToAgreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement)

Members of the World Trade Organization (WTO)

Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (UNEP)

Signatory countries

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)

Signatory Countries

European Union (EU) related legislation and directives

•European Union Member Countries•3rd party countries wishing to market to EU

Aquatic Animal Health Code and Manual of Diagnostic Tests for Aquatic Animals

Members of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)

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WTO SPS Agreement – Main Regulatory Instruments

Sector International Standards-setting

Body Food safety Codex Alimentarius

Commission (FAO/WHO)

Animal health World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)

Plant life and health International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC)

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WTO SPS Agreement – Animal HealthWorld Organisation for Animal Health (OIE,

formerly the Office International des Epizooties)

OIE Aquatic Animal Health Code OIE Diagnostic Tests for Aquatic Animal Diseases OIE Aquatic Animal Health Commission OIE Reference Laboratories

Key Treaties and Agreements Related to International Trade in Aquatic Animal Commodities

Voluntary ToICES Code of Practice on the Introduction and Transfers of Marine Organisms 2005 (ICES 2005)

ICES Member Countries

EIFAC Codes of Practice and Procedures for Introductions and Transfers of Marine and Freshwater Organisms (Turner 1988)

European Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture Committee

Asia Regional Technical Guidelines on Health Management for the Responsible Movement of Live Aquatic Animals in Asia (TGBCIS) (FAO/NACA 2000)

•21 participating countries in Asia•ASEAN member countries

Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (CCRF) (FAO 1995)

Member Countries of the United Nations

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Risks in Aquaculture: Some Important Guidance

Ecological Risk Assessment of Marine Fish Aquaculture (NOAA 2005)

“Areas of Concern”: Increased organic loading Increased inorganic loading Residual heavy metals Transmission of disease organisms Residual therapeutants Biological interaction of escapes with

wild populations Physical interactions with marine life Physical impact on marine habitat Using wild juveniles for grow-out Harvesting industrial fisheries for aqua-

feeds

[Note: Each assessment is locality, species and aquaculture-practice specific}

OIE Aquatic Animal Health Code: Chapter 1.4 Import Risk Analysis

(Pathogens) (OIE 2008)

Pathogen risks posed by

international movements of aquatic animal commodities

FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius: Food Safety/Human Health Risk

Analysis

Microbiological risks in food

GESAMP 31 Working Group Environmental Risks in Marine Aquaculture

Major areas of concern:

nutrient enrichment habitat change and loss impacts on wild fish and shellfish

populations chemical pollution secondary impacts on other

production systems

National Documents

National Aquatic Animal Health Strategies & supporting documents

National Invasive Species Plans Environmental Impact Assessment others

FAO International Guidance

Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (FAO 1995)

Health Management for Responsible Movement of Live Aquatic Animals (FAO 2007)

Asia Regional Technical Guidelines on Health Management for the Movement of Live Aquatic Animals and the Beijing Consensus and Implementation Strategy (FAO/NACA 2000)

others

EIFAC Codes of Practice and Manual of Procedures for Consideration of

Introductions and Transfers of Marine and Freshwater Organisms (Turner 1988)

Genetic Risks Pathogen Risks Ecological Risks

Better Management Practices

Global Aquaculture Alliance Aquaculture industry subsectors (e.g.

salmon growers, shrimp growers, etc.) NACA, FAO, SEAFDEC, others

Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP)

Post-harvest subsector Production facilities

Code of Practice on the Introductions and Transfers of Marine Organisms

(ICES 2005)

Genetic Risks Pathogen Risks Ecological Risks

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FAO Voluntary GuidelinesCCRF Aquaculture

DevelopmentFAO CCRF Guidelines

on Health Management for Responsible Movement of Live Aquatic Animals

FAO/NACA Asia Regional Technical Guidelines

Manual of ProceduresAsia Diagnostic Guide to

Aquatic Animal Diseases9

Guidance Manuals: Pathogen Risk Analysis

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Pathogen Risk Analysis: Completed Risk Analyses

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Guidance Manuals: Post-Harvest Risk Analysis

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Guidance: Introductions & Transfers

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Guidance: Invasive Alien Species

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Global Guidelines – Farm Level

Better management practices (BMPs)On-farm disease prevention (including

quarantine)Surveillance and reporting of disease

outbreaksEmergency preparednessCompliance with national legislationInformation sharing and farmer educationCertification

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Farm-level Health Management

Dealing with day-to-day situations in farms, pond/farm health management is of prime importance in preventing, controlling and possibly eradicating serious diseases

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Farmer Education

Many On-line ResourcesNACA/FAO Quarterly Aquatic Animal

Disease Reports (Asia and Pacific Region)World Organization for Animal Health

(OIE) - reports, updates, notificationsOIE International Database for Aquatic

Animal Diseases (OIE-listed diseases)Aquatic Animal Pathogen and Quarantine

Information System (AAPQIS)

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Many On-line ResourcesFAO Database on Introduced Aquatic Species

(DIAS)FishBase (http\\www.fishbase.org)Completed Risk Analyses (Australia, New

Zealand, Secretariat of the Pacific Community)National Aquatic Animal Health Strategies

(Australia, Canada., etc)FAO Virtual Library (many publications)etc., etc.

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Key PointsInternational treaties and agreements

attempt to reduce risks to biodiversity and national economic and social well being.

Despite these best efforts, invasive aquatic species and TAADs continue to be spread, causing enormous negative impacts.

The methods and knowledge to prevent such problems are well known – its their implementation that is the problem.

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