Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
often not conducted in an environmentally responsible manner and is consequently
branded as an unsustainable industry, the structure of the LRFF mariculture industry
appears to lend itself more easily to a certification framework than does the wild-
caught sector. For example, the various stages of culturing LRFF (hatchery, nursery,
grow-out and distribution), the proximity of farms to distribution centres, and the
generic and replicable production processes all suggest a reasonable likelihood of
successful implementation of a certification programme.
In order to assess the overall prospects for a certification programme within
the LRFFT, a detailed and comprehensive review would need to be undertaken
to objectively measure the interest and involvement of industry members, local,
national and regional enabling agencies and other stakeholders in establishing an
independent third-party certification programme.
8.6.3 Assessing the feasibility of certification
A sensible approach to assessing the merits of certification in the LRFFT may be a
phased approach that investigates the feasibility of strengthening existing voluntary
standards through establishing a prototype certification programme. To assess the
feasibility and validity of certification within the LRFFT, the need, the potential
and the business viability of such a strategy would need to be considered. Each of
these three aspects would need to be reviewed and evaluated in a stepwise process.
Under this approach, progress to the subsequent review phase will depend on clearly
establishing either the need or potential in the prior phase. If the need, potential
and business viability of certification can be clearly established, a comprehensive
capacity-building and pilot programme can be undertaken to test the feasibility of
certification for both the supply and demand sides of the trade. If, at the completion
of either of the need, potential or business viability phases, a clear way forward
for certification cannot be established, then an intensive programme of getting the
existing voluntary standards more widely adopted, most likely under a second-party
certification approach, should be explored. At the end of the capacity-building and
pilot-testing programme phase, institutional scenarios for hosting and implementing
a future LRFFT certification programme will need to be addressed (Figure 8.7).
8.7
Conclusions
The emphasis and importance placed on wide-ranging and inclusive consultation
and a willingness to heed stakeholder concerns has proved to be vital in the devel-
opment of a meaningful Standard that creates a platform for the ongoing efforts to
transform the LRFFT. By creating credible, international, multi-stakeholder stan-
dards for best practice where none have previously existed, certification can ensure
the LRFFT becomes more responsible and sustainable. Certification will allow the
industry and market to reject unsustainable, sub-standard practices and products.
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