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Indicator 2.2.11
Requirement
Indicator applicability: bivalve culture The UoC shall1919An exemption to Indicator 2.2.11 applies for situations where the total surface area of aquaculture within a waterbody is less than 10% of the total surface area of the waterbody. ensure that total bivalve culture in a waterbody does not result in phytoplankton depletion either by: a. demonstrating that the waterbody has a ratio of Clearance Time (CT) over Retention Time (RT) > 1, following the method outlined in Appendix 5. Where CT over RT is <1, demonstrate that the waterbody has a ratio of CT over Primary Production Time (PPT) > 3, following the method outlined in Appendix 5; or b. conducting a modelling study that demonstrates that the carrying capacity of the waterbody is not exceeded.
How Do I Interpret This Requirement?
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The ratio of Clearance Time (CT) and Retention Time (RT) demonstrate whether the carrying capacity of a waterbody for bivalve production has been exceeded.
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Primary Production Time (PPT) is calculated when cultured bivalves may negatively impact the carrying capacity of a waterbody.
Evidence of Implementation
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The method used to calculate CT, RT and PPT, in accordance with Appendix 5.
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Maps demonstrating whether the site is in an easily definable waterbody. This will support the selection of the correct method in Appendix 5 (5.2) regarding estimating the zone of influence.
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Results demonstrating the ratio of CT over RT, or CT over PPT.
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A modelling study has been conducted to demonstrate the carrying capacity of the waterbody, if the method outlined in Appendix 5 has not been followed.
Auditors Should Confirm
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Methods and results have been presented demonstrating the ratio of CT over RT, or CT and PPT depending on whether CT over RT > 1, in accordance with Indicator 2.11.
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A modelling study has been conducted to demonstrate the carrying capacity of the waterbody, if the method outlined in Appendix 5 has not been followed.
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The modelling study shall demonstrate carrying capacity has not been exceeded.
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Indicator 2.2.4
Requirement
The UoC shall ensure that the site has a low risk of negative impact on sensitive habitats, as determined through the ERA (see Indicator 2.1.1).
How Do I Interpret This Requirement?
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The Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) will determine whether there are sensitive habitats within the vicinity of the site and the risk drivers that increase the likelihood of negative impacts on any sensitive habitats.
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The ERA will determine whether the risk of negative impacts on the identified sensitive habitats is minimal.
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Appendix 3.3 outlines the risk factors that shall be considered as a minimum when conducting the ERA.
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Appendix 3.3 also outlines the types of sensitive habitats that shall be considered as a minimum.
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Other types of sensitive habitats may be identified in the ERA.
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Evidence of Implementation
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An ERA report has been completed, which assesses the risk of negative impacts on any relevant sensitive habitats.
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The ERA report demonstrates whether the risk of negative impacts on sensitive habitats is ‘low’.
Auditors Should Confirm
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An ERA has been completed, which includes at a minimum the risk factors outlined in Appendix 3.3.
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The ERA determined whether sensitive habitats are located within the vicinity of the site.
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If sensitive habitats were identified, the ERA determined whether the risk of negative impacts on the sensitive habitats is minimal.
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Useful Resources
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GIS portal: GIS portal – ASC International (asc-aqua.org)
Indicator 2.2.3
Requirement
The UoC shall preserve any critical habitat identified within the site.
How Do I Interpret This Requirement?
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In accordance with Indicator 2.2.2, the ERA report will identify whether critical habitats are located within the boundaries of the site.
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The size and biodiversity characteristics of critical habitats should either remain the same since the ERA was conducted or have increased/improved.
Evidence of Implementation
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The ERA report has identified the presence of critical habitats within the boundaries of the site.
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Documented measures and outcomes, which demonstrate critical habitats have been preserved, and that their size and biodiversity has not decreased.
Auditors Should Confirm
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Whether critical habitats have been identified in the ERA report.
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If critical habitats are present, evidence has been provided to demonstrate measures to preserve the documented critical habitats.
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Outputs of preservation measures should also be available where appropriate.
Useful Resources
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GIS portal: GIS portal – ASC International (asc-aqua.org)
Indicator 2.2.2
Requirement
The UoC shall ensure that the site has a low risk of negative impact on critical habitats, as determined through the ERA (see Indicator 2.1.1).
How Do I Interpret This Requirement?
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The Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) will determine whether there are critical habitats within the vicinity of the site and the risk drivers that increase the likelihood of negative impacts on any critical habitats.
Evidence of Implementation
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An ERA report has been completed, which assesses the risk of negative impacts on any relevant critical habitats.
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The ERA report demonstrates whether the risk of negative impacts on critical habitats is ‘low’.
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In cases where the risk level is not ‘low’, the ERA report identifies the risk drivers.
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In cases where the risk level is ‘medium’ or ‘high’, the site demonstrates the actions taken to reduce the risk level to ‘low’.
Auditors Should Confirm
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Whether there are critical habitats in the vicinity of the site. If so, evidence has been provided in the ERA that the risk of negative impacts on the critical habitats is minimal.
Indicator 2.2.1
Requirement
The UoC shall1818An exemption applies for the following species groups: tilapia, pangasius, bivalve and abalone. ensure that the site is not located in Protected Areas (PA). An exception applies where conditional siting is allowed according to Appendix 4.
How Do I Interpret This Requirement?
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Conditional allowances to the siting in Protected Areas (PA) have been taken from the ASC species standards while work is ongoing to develop updated conditional allowances.
Evidence of Implementation
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Whether the site is in a PA and if so, provide evidence that the PA meets the conditional allowances specified in Appendix 4. This includes the demonstration of the Protected Areas Management Plan.
Auditors Should Confirm
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Whether the site is in a PA. If so, evidence has been provided to demonstrate that the site meets the conditional allowances in Appendix 4 (4.2).
Useful Resources
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Protected Planet: World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA): Explore the World’s Protected Areas.
Indicator 2.1.2
Requirement
The UoC shall ensure that the ERA (see Indicator 2.1.1) is conducted by a person with the necessary competencies, experience and training that is appropriate to the size and complexity of the site. For larger, more complex sites, an independent person shall conduct the ERA. This person shall: a. have an academic background in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, or an equivalent field of study; and b. have a minimum of 5 years of experience in conducting ERA, including survey design, data collection, data analysis and interpretation. In cases where legal requirements are defined, the UoC shall ensure that the person conducting the ERA complies with these requirements.
How Do I Interpret This Requirement?
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An independent person is required to conduct the ERA for larger, more complex sites. However, small-scale or extensive aquaculture sites are not expected to contract an independent person to conduct the ERA.
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To demonstrate competence, personnel conducting the ERA for small-scale or extensive aquaculture sites should be able to:
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Analyse environmental risks.
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Conduct data analysis.
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Record, review and authorise the release of results.
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Contribute to or produce reports that can clearly and concisely follow the method outlined in Appendix 3.1.
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Have undergone training, or have experience, relating to ERAs.
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Evidence of Implementation
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Documents outlining the person conducting the ERA has experience and competences that are relevant to the size and complexity of the site.
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For larger, more complex sites, documents outlining the qualifications and experience of the independent person conducting the ERA.
Auditors Should Confirm
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Evidence and documents have been presented to demonstrate the person conducting the ERA has the necessary experience, competencies and qualifications.
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Auditor discretion is permitted to determine whether the experience, competences and qualifications are suitable for the size of the site.
Indicator 2.1.1
Requirement
The UoC shall conduct an Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) per site, following the method outlined in Appendix 3 (3.3).
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Indicator 1.5.3
Requirement
Indicator applicability: freshwater trout, flatfish, seabass, seabream, meagre and salmon The UoC shall99An exemption applies to sites in the supply chain that hold valid ASC certification. These sites do not need to comply with Indicator 1.5.3. only stock ASC certifiable product if it can be demonstrated that all sites1010An exemption applies to broodstock sites. in the supply chain conform with the requirements in Appendix 14. An exception applies for salmon sites that are supplied with product from other cage site(s), in which case all cage site(s) in the supply chain shall be ASC certified.
How Do I Interpret This Requirement?
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Appendix 14 (14.1) establishes that documentation is required to be maintained from the sites in the supply chain to demonstrate that these sites conform with the requirements of this appendix.
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The documentation should provide information to the extent necessary to ensure that the supplier sites conform with the requirements of Appendix 14 (14.1).
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Different applicability examples are provided below:
Evidence of Implementation
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Documentation that demonstrates suppliers of the site conform with the requirements of Appendix 14 (14.1).
Auditors Should Confirm
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Documentation that demonstrates the suppliers of the site conform with the requirements of Appendix 14 (14.1)
Indicator 1.4.7
Requirement
The UoC shall report to ASC the production volumes and sales/dispatch volumes of ASC certified and non-certified products originating from each site, and submit specified traceability data (when requested), according to ASC data submission procedures.
No additional guidance is provided for this indicator.
Indicator 1.4.6
Requirement
The UoC shall disclose to buyers of their ASC certified product, upon request, a list of all veterinary therapeutants applied to the product.
No additional guidance is provided for this indicator.
