Standard 4 — Environment Mangrove Conservation
And Biodiversity Protection
Shrimp farms shall not be located in mangrove areas, sea- grass beds or other coastal wetlands. Farm operations shall not damage wetlands or reduce the biodiversity of coastal ecosystems. Mangroves removed for allowable purposes shall be replaced by replanting an area three times as large.
Reasons for Standard
Mangroves and other wetlands are important components of many coastal ecosystems in shrimp-producing nations. Man- groves protect coastal areas from storm damage. Mangrove areas and other coastal wetlands are important breeding and nursery grounds for many aquatic species. They also provide habitat for birds and other creatures.
Local people often rely on mangrove areas for hunting, fish- ing and gathering. In addition, mangroves serve as water- purification systems by assimilating wastes that humans dis- charge into coastal waters.
Although shrimp farming has been responsible for some man- grove destruction, many other human activities have contri- buted to mangrove loss, and the role of shrimp farming has often been overstated. Nevertheless, shrimp farming should not cause further loss of valuable ecological resources.
Shrimp farm operations also may alter coastal ecosystems and cause a decline in biodiversity through lethal predator con- trol, discharge of suspended solids and escapes of shrimp.
Implementation
Shrimp farms should be located on salt flats or other lands above the normal tidal zone that are usually inundated only a few times per month by the highest tides. Farm construc- tion shall take place outside wetlands and not infringe on areas occupied by mangroves, seagrasses, or other sensitive wetland vegetation. The most reliable way of delineating wet- land areas is by the type of vegetation present.
Particular care should be taken to assure that hydrological conditions are not altered in a way that deprives mangroves or other coastal wetland species of contact with brackish water. Certified farms shall not discharge effluents into pub- lic mangrove areas to effect water treatment unless moni- toring at the point of entry shows that total suspended solids do not exceed 100 mg/L or 50 mg/L after five years.
Shrimp farm operation requires access to coastal waters, and limited removal of mangroves shall be allowed for the installation of inlet and outlet canals, pump stations and docks. Mangroves removed for allowable purposes shall be mitigated by replanting an area of mangroves three times the size of the area removed.
Shrimp farms shall obey laws related to the destruction of birds and other predators. However, the BAP program encour- ages farms to employ nonlethal measures for predator con- trol even where lethal methods are permitted.
To prevent impingement of aquatic animals, screens shall be installed on water intake pumps. Screens also shall be installed to prevent the escape of shrimp from farms.
During initial facility inspection, the ACC evaluator will note farm areas occupied by mangroves or other coastal wetlands. When farms are inspected for recertification, the evaluator will determine if subsequent mangrove removal was allow- able and required mitigation was performed. Mangrove remov- al for unapproved purposes or failure to mitigate allowable removal will result in loss of certification.
Where dying mangroves or other coastal wetland vegetation are observed on farms, the evaluator will determine if the mortality is the result of farm operations. If it is, a warning will be issued, and the deficiency shall be corrected for con- tinuation of certification.
Planting to mitigate the removal of mangroves shall be done in suitable brackish water areas. Mangroves can be estab- lished along the edges of ponds and canals to protect against erosion. They can also be planted on tidal land in the vicin- ity of farms. If suitable replanting areas are not available on or near a farm, proof of financial contribution to a rec- ognized mangrove reforestation project shall be provided.
All farms in mangrove areas are encouraged to demonstrate mangrove stewardship by replanting mangroves or contribut- ing to reforestation. When ponds constructed in former wet- land areas are closed, farms should restore mangroves or other wetland vegetation in the abandoned areas.
For Additional Information
Codes of Practice for Responsible Shrimp Farming
C. E. Boyd — 1999
Global Aquaculture Alliance St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Responsible Marine Aquaculture
“Mangroves and Coastal Aquaculture” pp. 145-157
C. E. Boyd — 2002
R. R. Stickney and J. P. McVey, Editors CABI Publishing
Wallington, Oxon, United Kingdom
Restoration of Mangrove Ecosystems
C. Field, Editor — 1996
International Society for Mangrove Ecosystems University of Ryukyus
Okinawa, Japan
Mangrove Management and Shrimp Aquaculture
L. Massaut — 1999
International Center for Aquaculture and Aquatic Environments
Auburn University
Alabama, USA
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