The FEAP Code of Conduct for European Aquaculture

Fish Husbandry

Any person who owns farmed fish, or has farmed fish under his or her control, and every person engaged in the overseeing of farmed fish shall, according to their responsibilities, ensure that every step is taken to safeguard the health and welfare of such fish.

Water

The water supply should be of sufficient quality and quantity to ensure the well-being of the species being farmed.

Fish stocks

The intake of live fish stocks into an aquaculture system must be of good health and known origin.

a) Genetically modified organisms

The FEAP does not endorse the use of genetically modified fish in aquaculture since it is concerned about the maintenance of the natural characteristics of the products, in addition to the environmental qualities of biodiversity. However, the results of genetic research may play an important part in the future development of global food production. The FEAP may review its position on this topic if such developments are acceptable to the consumer and do not pose any safety or environmental problems.

Fish health

The responsibilities concerning the optimisation of fish health include:

1. Avoidance of unnecessary stress of the fish - all measures should be taken to ensure that the media and conditions in which the population is held are optimised for the reduction of stress.
2. Regular inspections - the fish should be inspected frequently enough to ensure that significant behavioural and physical changes would be discovered and acted upon immediately.
3. Avoidance of the introduction of diseases - fish brought into an aquaculture system must be of good health and certified origin. Adequate precautionary measures should be taken to avoid inter-farm contamination through direct physical contact.
4. Seeking proper diagnosis if disease presence is suspected.
5. The use and application of therapeutic agents should observe the prescribed dosage and where appropriate, withdrawal times, in order to avoid the accumulation of residues in the flesh.
6. When required, only licensed or approved therapeutic agents should be used.
7. Avoidance of spreading of diseases - farmers have the responsibility to minimise the risk of the spread of diseases beyond their farms into the ecosystem where wild fish and other farms may be affected.
8. Regardless of the reason for mortalities, any dead or dying fish require prompt removal from the growing area, in a way that does not affect the welfare and health of the remaining stock.
9. The disposal of dead fish should be done carefully and effectively, in a way that does not affect the environment negatively.

Food and feeding

Correct feeding practises reduce wastage, assuring better water quality, good health and farm performance.

1. All fish should receive adequate quantities of feed, using the correct nutritional formulation for the species farmed.
2. Such feeds should be properly composed and manufactured and, where possible, labelled and providing the correct granular or pellet sizes for the size of the fish.
3. Daily rations should be appropriate for the species and the growing conditions available in the site facilities.
4. Feed distribution methods should ensure that all individuals have sufficient access to the feeds supplied.
5. Excessive feeding should be avoided since this can result in feed wastage that may cause water quality deterioration.

Handling and Transportation

1. For the avoidance of unnecessary stress and injury to live fish, the handling of live fish should be kept to a minimum and should be done using the least stressful method.
2. The movement and transport of live fish should be done as quickly as possible and with an adequate oxygen supply.
3. The strictest control procedures should be applied to fish that are transferred between farms and freshwater catchment areas in order to reduce the potential transfer of disease to a minimum.

Predators

Many predators affecting aquaculture are species that are protected by legislation.

Whenever possible, predators should be excluded from the areas where live fish are held.

Where this is not possible, lethal methods of predator control shall only be used when this action is legally permissible for the predator species in question.

Stocking density

The stocking density for fish should be adjusted to the specific requirements of the species and include respect for

1. The average live weight of the fish,
2. The population’s health and behavioural needs,
3. The population’s demands on the growing environment, in particular their behavioural needs, the availability of an adequate oxygen supply and the removal of wastes to avoid the excessive accumulation of substances that may cause stress or toxic effects (e.g. CO2 and ammonia).

Slaughter

1. All fish should be fasted sufficiently before slaughter so as to induce a completely empty digestive system.
2. Fish should be killed quickly and humanely, referring to national regulations for guidance.

Monitoring and Record keeping

1. Fish farms should aim to be self-regulating. To achieve this, proper systems of monitoring and recording are required so that problems can be averted before they arise.
2. Written records are essential for the farmers to ensure good husbandry and welfare of the fish.
3. The use of computer-assisted monitoring of stocks and record-keeping is to be encouraged given the benefits of:
   a. Optimal feed distribution,
   b. Use of therapeutic agents and their traceability
   c. HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) systems.
4. Effective self-regulation can be achieved through the routine monitoring of:
   a. Water quality (on and off-farm),
   b. The quality of other inputs and resources used in the production process,
   c. Off-farm environmental parameters that are of immediate and direct relevance to the production process,
   d. Environmental standards and objectives that, ideally, are agreed with local authorities,
   e. Product quality and safety standards.