Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
about the widening use of trade and marketplace measures to promote sustain-
able fishing practices, particularly in terms of compliance costs and market access
(Roheim & Sutinen 2006). Equally important is the consideration that an interna-
tional standard should be set sufficiently high so as to not compromise the com-
prehensive and strictly enforced regulatory requirements already in place in some
countries, while at the same time setting achievable targets for fishery participants
and managers in other countries. For example, a desktop study comparing the op-
eration of the LRFF fishery in Australia against the International LRFFT Standard
showed this fishery to either meet or exceed all Requirements as laid out in the Stan-
dard pertaining to the Capture of Wild Live Reef Fish (Muldoon 2003). This was
important as there was an expectation among some stakeholders that the Standard
would 'set the bar' at the appropriate level so as not to undermine any market ad-
vantage that may already exist from the consumers' demand for sustainably caught
fish.
The Standard was developed in two distinct stages. The first of these was the de-
velopment, review and revision phase involving 'industry experts'. The subsequent
phase was an iterative review process to engage with multiple stakeholders through
a series of in-country engagements (Figure 8.6).
8.5
Best-practice guidance and implementation
As the Standard evolved it became apparent that a comprehensive 'how-to' tool
kit, usable by industry stakeholders, and an NGO-supported capacity building and
implementing programme would be of benefit. It was decided that the best-practice
guidelines should take the form of an '
implementation tool kit
' to ensure the meaning
and intent of the LRFFT Standard were clearly understood and that sufficient direc-
tion and explanation were included to guide the reader. A CD ROM was developed
that comprised
Interpretation
and
Responsible Practice
elements for each Require-
ment of the Standard as well as incorporating electronic copies of existing best-
practice guidance manuals and links to relevant websites. Subsequently the CD tool
kit was supplemented by a dedicated website - http://www.livefoodfishtrade.org.
The decision to dispense with written manuals and documentation in favour of
a CD comprising Requirement interpretation and best-practice and implementa-
tion guidance has greatly improved the ability for distribution and dissemination
of the Standard. The integrated CD and website contain the International Stan-
dards, responsible practices and implementation guidance for all Requirements, and
importantly, includes a comprehensive library of existing materials (best-practice
guidelines, manuals and tool kits) for use as instructional guidance. The 'live' web-
site will ensure the Standard remains a 'living document' and that the issue of the
International Standard for the Trade in Live Reef Food Fish that promotes best
practice will remain a salient feature of this industry.
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