Rationale

Aquatic animal health and welfare are crucial for responsible aquaculture and underpin the ASC vision for the development of the industry. Through this commitment, ASC also addresses a spectrum of global challenges, including food security, ecosystem resilience, global warming and threats to public health. By recognising the connection between these issues, aquatic animal health and welfare in aquaculture emerges as a critical focus, providing a holistic approach to safeguarding people, aquatic animals and the environment.

The ASC Farm Standard adopts a comprehensive framework for aquatic animal health and welfare that encompasses ethical, economic, environmental, and regulatory considerations to mitigate risks, and prevents poor aquatic animal health and welfare outcomes.

ASC embraces a definition of welfare defined by the physical and mental state of an aquatic animal in relation to the conditions in which it lives and its capacity to cope with the environment providing opportunities foraquatic animals to ‘thrive’ and not simply survive. This perspective is linked to the concept of Positive Animal Welfare (PAW), which can be characterised by four features: positive emotions, positive affective engagement, quality of life and happiness. These features extend the original Five Freedoms8585Green, T., & Mellor, D. (2011). Extending ideas about animal welfare assessment to include ‘quality of life’ and related concepts. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 59(6), 263–271. https://doi.org/10.1080/00480169.2011.610283,8686Mellor, D. J. (2016). Updating Animal Welfare Thinking: Moving beyond the “Five Freedoms” towards “A Life Worth Living”. Animals, 6(3), 21. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani6030021 to incorporate consideration of quality of life. 

The criteria in this principle cover best practices in handling and slaughter, as well as disease prevention and the use of therapeutants, for fish, crustaceans and molluscs. By promoting high standards of aquatic animal health and welfare, ASC not only reinforces its commitment to responsible aquaculture but also addresses consumer concerns, and contributes to the ethical production of sustainable blue foods.

If conducted irresponsibly, any economic activity can potentially create negative impacts or infringe on the legal and customary rights of neighbouring Indigenous and tribal people, and local communities as established in ILO conventions.8484International Labour Organization (ILO). (1989). Indigenous and Tribal Populations, 1989 (No. 169). Geneva, Switzerland: ILO.

Local communities that depend on fishing or agriculture may face economic challenges or risks to their food security as aquaculture operations may compete with, or deplete, their resources. Customary rights of Indigenous and tribal people to use specific lands and waters for cultural or subsistence activities may also be affected. Aquaculture operations may also affect communities in other ways, such as by increasing traffic or causing pollution.

This Criterion focuses on how ASC-certified farms can create positive relationships with the local community. This involves understanding potential adverse impacts, acknowledging legal and customary rights, constructive and continuous engagement, and the involvement of the local community and Indigenous people in business ventures.

Intent – The aquaculture industry supports local development and conducts meaningful community engagement.

Grievance mechanisms may be referred to as dispute, complaint or accountability mechanisms. They offer a system in which parties can effectively address a problem together, provide remediation where needed and serve as an early warning system for human rights issues to inform corrective actions. They also offer the right to external redress. Well-functioning grievance mechanisms are transparent, fair, predictable, accessible to all stakeholder groups and foster trust among participants.8383United Nations. (2011). Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Implementing the United Nations “Protect, Respect and Remedy” Framework. Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner.

This Criterion focuses on the development of effective grievance mechanisms for employees on ASC-certified farms, and neighbouring communities.

Intent – The aquaculture industry fosters dialogue with employees and communities over dispute, and where needed seeks resolution through robust grievance mechanisms.

Aquaculture sites are often located in remote areas, including offshore operations. Daily commutes between shifts are usually difficult under these circumstances, and as a result, employees may reside for a duration in accommodation provided by their employer. In certain regions and particular industries, employees might decide to live with their families on the site. Where employee accommodation is provided, there can be a risk that the living conditions are poor, with limited freedom of movement or access to sanitary facilities – posing a physical and mental health risk. Poor accommodation is strongly linked to forced labour.8282International Labour Organization (ILO). (1961). Workers’ Housing Recommendation, 1961 (No. 115). Geneva, Switzerland: ILO.

This Criterion focuses on housing provided by employers meeting the needs of employees and forming a suitable living environment on ASC-certified farms.

Intent – The aquaculture industry provides safe, decent and hygienic employee accommodation where this is needed.