Rationale 2.2
Conversion and fragmentation of habitats is a leading driver of biodiversity loss.1818Crooks, K. R., Burdett, C. L., Theobald, D. M., King, S. R., Di Marco, M., Rondinini, C., & Quantification of habitat fragmentation reveals extinction risk in terrestrial mammals. Proceedings of the national Academy of Sciences, 114(29), 7635-7640. Boitani, L. (2017). Wetlands are particularly important in promoting biodiversity, as they provide breeding and nursery grounds for native species, supporting ecological services like water purification, and increasing environmental resilience to threats like storms, floods and climate change.1919Liquete, C., Piroddi, C., Drakou, E. G., Gurney, L., Katsanevakis, S., Charef, A., & Egoh, B. (2013). Current status and future prospects for the assessment of marine and coastal ecosystem services: A systematic review. PloS one, 8(7), e67737.
Aquaculture production can drive conversion and fragmentation of ecologically important habitats if improperly sited. Farms sited in protected or sensitive habitats can affect local biodiversity and the ecological services these environments provide. Loss of wetlands has been historically linked to expansion of aquaculture in tropical regions. Sited and operated with consideration paid to important habitats, aquaculture can benefit from the many services that suitable sites provide while minimising these negative impacts.202017 Aguilar-Manjarrez, J., Soto, D., & Brummett, R. (2017). Aquaculture zoning, site selection and area management under the ecosystem approach to aquaculture. A handbook. Rome, Italy: FAO.
This Criterion focuses on requirements for where ASC-certified farms can be situated to reduce impacts on local biodiversity, restricts conversion of ecologically important habitats and requires rehabilitation of previously converted wetlands.
Intent – The aquaculture industry preserves habitat that is important for biodiversity.
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