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Indicator 2.3.9
by Contact on 8 October 2026
Requirement
Indicator applicability: hatchery-raised bivalve seed The UoC shall only source from hatcheries that have procedures to address genetic concerns specific to the species and geographical region where the seed will be stocked.
How Do I Interpret This Requirement?
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The translocation of wild bivalve seed can pose risks to the genetic diversity of wild populations.
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Genetic risks to wild populations therefore need to be assessed and procedures need to be implemented to address any genetic risks. These will be based on the species and geographic region where the seed will be stocked.
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Efforts should be made to address genetic concerns specific to the species and the geographic region where the seed will be stocked.
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This may include preserving diversity of broodstock and seed by:
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Using local broodstock,
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Rotation of broodstock within spawning seasons and between years, and
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Avoiding the use of hatchery-propagated stock in the hatchery as broodstock.
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The scale of farming and the reproductive potential of crops (e.g. whether diploid or triploid, or considering age at harvest and age at first maturation) are well below the size and reproductive potential of the natural population within a reasonable ‘dispersal kernel’ from the site.
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Sterile seed may be produced for stocking.
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Evidence of Implementation
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An assessment of genetic risks presented from the translocation of wild bivalve seed, based on the species and geographic region where the seed will be stocked.
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The hatchery has procedures and measures in place to address any genetic concerns. For example:
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Documentation of the use of local, wild broodstock to address genetic concerns specific to the species and the geographic region where the seed will be out-planted.
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Documentation of the scale of farming activities and the reproductive potential of crops (e.g. whether diploid or triploid, or considering age at harvest and age at first maturation) are well below the size and reproductive potential of the natural population within a reasonable ‘dispersal kernel’ from the site.
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Documentation on the production of sterile seed for out-planting from breeding programmes that intentionally alter wild stocks for improved culture traits, such as growth, yield, survival and morphology.
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Provide documentation of cooperation with restoration efforts in the geographic region using out-planting that involves the intentional divergence from wild stocks to produce disease resistant wild populations.
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Auditors Should Confirm
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Evidence has been presented that genetic risks to wild populations have been assessed and the hatchery has implemented procedures and measures to address these risks. For example:
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Verify that efforts have been made to address genetic concerns specific to the species and the geographic region where the seed will be out-planted.
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Document the site’s use of the local, wild population for the broodstock with appropriate rotation of spawned individuals. If there is uncertainty about whether a broodstock is of local origin, record source locality.
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Verify that the reproductive potential (e.g. whether diploid or triploid, or considering age at harvest and age at first maturation) of the hatchery produced seed is well below the size and reproductive potential of the natural population within a reasonable ‘dispersal kernel’ from the site.
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Verify the existence of a breeding programme that produces altered sterile seed for out-planting.
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Verify that the site’s breeding programme is in coordination with existing restoration efforts in the geographic region.
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