A human rights policy:

Each company will need to determine for itself which human rights may need to be prioritised in its policy because this will depend on the risks associated with the:

The content of the human rights policy may vary according to the UoC’s size and national legal frameworks, and could also include the following topics:

human rights policy

evidence that senior management have signed it off

that the human rights policy is in place, approved by a member of senior management;

where the policy is communicated and available publicly;

whether the policy is available to all relevant stakeholders;

that the human rights policy is consistent with other company policies and procedures.

Some examples of human rights policies can be found here.

United Nations (2011), Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Available at: <https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/publications/guidingprinciplesbusinesshr_en.pdf>

ILO (2022), ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and its Follow-up. Available at: wcms_716594.pdf (ilo.org)

International Bill of Human Rights, A Brief History and the two International Covenants. Available at: International Bill of Human Rights | OHCHR

United Nations Global Compact (2015), A Guide for Business: How to Develop a Human Rights Policy. Available at: How to Develop a Human Rights Policy 20151013.indd (ohchr.org)

OECD (2023), OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct. Available at: <https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/docserver/81f92357-en.pdf?expires=1729687419&id=id&accname=guest&checksum=62CA2A98BB5F19532709D450D88B4404>

To facilitate compliance with the feed efficiency requirements the UoC should consider:

The use of:

Records:

Feed efficiency metrics are met.

Records:

Wet feedstuffs used as binders for probiotics and other feed additives in top-coating or top-dressing applications are allowed.

Wet feedstuffs can be used as carbon sources for water quality control i.e., anaerobic fermentation or biofloc technology.

Records:

Wet feedstuffs, moist pellets, or uncooked/ unprocessed fish are not used by the UoC by cross-checking records with observations and personnel interviews.

Records:

Records:

Records:

Although the science behind prion diseases, infectivity and pathogenicity in fish in association with Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs) is not very well developed, ASC has taken a precautionary approach and followed the guidelines of FAO (2011) Aquaculture Development. 5. Use of Wild Fish as Feed in Aquaculture Principle 9.1 “For biosecurity reasons, intraspecies recycling is an unacceptable practice that should be prohibited”.

Protein hydrolysates verified to <10,000 daltons are allowed as controlling the molecular weight provides a good verification of the appropriateness of an applied transformation process. This is in line with Regulation (EU) 142/2011 regarding the use of animal by-products.

Regulated source means that there are national/international laws, agreements or policies governing the harvesting or farming of seaweed and that these are complied with, or the seaweed is from a certification scheme which addresses the responsible management of seaweed, whether wild-harvested or farmed.

Seaweed certified to the following standards meet this ASC requirement on regulated sources:

Legislation which stipulates responsible harvesting or farming.

Supplier harvesting or farming permits.

Certification documentation.

Records:

Legislation which stipulates responsible harvesting or farming.

Presence and validity of permits.

Certification documentation.

Records.

Harvest.

Transport to the UoC.

ASC-conforming compound feed is sourced from feed mills certified to the ASC Feed Standard.

This requirement does not apply to non-certifiable species (e.g., cleaner fish).

Documented process to confirm feed is ASC-conforming that includes verification of (see Indicator 1.4.3):

The documentation that identifies:

Records:

Documented process to confirm feed product is ASC-conforming that includes verification of (see Indicator 1.4.3):

The documentation identifies:

Records of regular litter collection activities and the responsible disposal of any items recovered.

Regular litter collection activities have taken place.

Alternatively, conduct a visual inspection to demonstrate low levels of waste are present on the receiving shoreline or land surrounding the site.

Global Ghost Gear Initiative (2021) Best Practice Framework for the Management of Aquaculture Gear. Prepared by Huntington, T. of Poseidon Aquatic Resources Management Ltd. for GGGI. 81 pp. plus appendices: GGGI_Best_Practice_Framework_for_the_Management_of_Aquaculture_Gear.pdf

The site should develop a maintenance plan that identifies the schedule for regular maintenance of machinery, aquaculture gear and infrastructure.

The person(s) conducting maintenance should have an adequate level of competence based on the type of maintenance required.

Maintenance plan that identifies the schedule for regular maintenance of machinery, aquaculture gear and infrastructure.

Records to demonstrate maintenance was performed according to the schedule outlined in the maintenance plan.

Written justification should be in place in cases of deviation from the schedule outlined in the maintenance plan.

The site has a maintenance plan covering regular maintenance of machinery, aquaculture gear and infrastructure.

Records that the schedule has been adhered to.