Tracking use of energy inputs is a necessary step in calculating the GHG emissions associated with aquaculture production and products.

Energy inputs include all those sources of energy used for the purpose of production, including electricity and energy carriers such as diesel or natural gas.

To the extent possible, Certificate Holders are encouraged to calculate energy use specific to the certified site. However, in some cases, this may be difficult to do. For example, fuel purchased may be used to supply vessels servicing many sites, potentially both certified and non-certified sites or even multiple sites or companies.

In these cases, a portion of the overall input may be allocated to the certified site based on a logical allocation basis.

For example, dividing energy inputs between sites based on the relative number of vessel trips or using the site’s relative share of production among the group of sites serviced.

Energy inputs to hatcheries are not included in calculations of on-site energy use. However, in cases where the juvenile stage of the supply chain is integrated with grow-out, sites may choose to include this stage in their calculations to simplify calculations.

Documentation of energy intensity factors (e.g., MJ of energy per L of diesel) used if they are different to the default values used in the ASC Farm Standard Energy Use Data Submission Template.

Evidence to support the quantity of each energy input specified in calculations is available on request, along with any allocation of energy inputs between multiple sites if applicable.

This may be, for example, fuel purchase invoices or electricity use records.

The energy use value is calculated and reported in MJ of energy per tonne of live weight production.

Energy use of production is calculated for either (a) the most recent completed production cycle; or (b) three consecutive years of production.

Documentation is provided to support input variables and calculations.

The ASC Farm Standard Energy Use Data Submission Template is used to demonstrate results.

Certificate Holders are encouraged to use the ASC Farm Standard Energy Use Data Submission Template for calculating the energy intensity of production after energy inputs are quantified.

Additional energy intensity factors for a range of energy inputs are available from the UK Department of Energy Security and Net Zero.

Water levels in groundwater wells should be tested and recorded at similar times during the year.

Monitoring of water levels in groundwater wells determines whether water is being replenished in the ground. When water abstraction increases beyond the rate of replenishment, the result is a reduction in the water table.

Results from the monitoring of water levels in groundwater wells.

Documents demonstrating the monitoring results have been included in, and informed revisions of, the WEMP (where required).

Regulatory records which provide evidence of the recording of water levels, if monitoring is not permitted by law.

Monitoring results have been presented which demonstrate the recording of water levels in groundwater wells.

Monitoring results have informed the drafting or revision of the WEMP.

The responsible disposal of biosolids mitigates impacts on natural ecosystems and waterbodies.

The UoC should develop and implement a biosolids management plan which procedures relating to the responsible disposal of biosolids.

Documents outlining the process and location of biosolids disposal.

The documents should demonstrate biosolids are disposed of responsibly. An example may be a biosolids management plan.

The management plan may include a flow diagram that outlines key steps for the disposal of biosolids.

If biosolids are transferred to a third party, evidence should be available to confirm that the third party has disposed of biosolids responsibly.

Documents, for example a biosolids management plan, have been presented which demonstrate the responsible disposal of biosolids.

If biosolids are transferred to a third-party, evidence has been presented to confirm that the third-party has responsibly disposed of biosolids.

The following outlines examples of the purposes for uncontaminated biosolids re-use:

Documents demonstrating the appropriate treatment and re-use of biosolids.

An example may be a biosolids management plan.

The management plan may include a flow diagram that outlines key steps for the treatment of biosolids prior to re-use to ensure they are uncontaminated.

Documents, for example a biosolids management plan, have been presented which demonstrate only uncontaminated biosolids are re-used.

This requirement will mitigate impacts on water quality and the risk of salinisation, therefore supporting the implementation of Criterion 2.6 and 2.7 respectively.

Records which demonstrate:

Records have been presented which demonstrate biosolids are not disposed of and/or released into receiving waterbodies, natural wetlands or other ecosystems.

There is no evidence of the discharge and/or release of biosolids into receiving waterbodies, natural wetlands or other ecosystems during the audit.

The UoC should develop and implement a biosolids management plan, which includes procedures relating to the containment of biosolids.

The appropriate containment of biosolids should consider the risk of runoff during anticipated and/or recurring extreme weather events, such as tropical storms or flooding.

Documents demonstrating the appropriate containment of biosolids. An example may be a biosolids management plan.

The management plan may include a flow diagram that outlines key steps for the containment of biosolids.

Documents, for example a biosolids management plan, have been presented which demonstrate the appropriate containment of biosolids.

Conformance should be confirmed through a visual inspection of the site.

Freshwater wells with a conductivity or chloride concentration above the thresholds in Indicator 2.7.4 will demonstrate that salinisation has taken place.

Specific conductance or chloride concentration should be monitored at a frequency adapted to fluctuations due to natural factors, such as seasonal rains.

Records of specific conductance of freshwater wells on, or in proximity to the site (within 1km radius).

Regulatory records obtained where applicable, to demonstrate well-monitoring is not permitted by law.

Monitoring records are available for freshwater wells in proximity to the site, which demonstrate either conductivity or chloride concentration is below the relevant threshold specified in Indicator 2.7.4.

Monitoring has taken place at least every six months and considered natural factors, such as seasonal rains.

Regulatory records are available for instances where well-monitoring is not permitted by law.

The records demonstrate conductivity testing has taken place.

Hand-held refractometers can be used to measure salinity. These devices are appropriate for salinities of approximately 2 or 3 ppt, but they are not sensitive enough to determine if sites are causing the salinisation of freshwater bodies.

The quickest and easiest method to evaluate salinity of water is to measure specific conductance with a conductivity meter. An alternative method is a chloride test kit, which is typically cheaper.

Salinity levels are: Freshwater (limnetic; <0.5 ppt), slightly saline (oligohaline; 0.5-4.9 ppt), moderate saline (mesohaline; 5-17.9 ppt), highly saline (polyhaline; 18-29.9 ppt) and seawater (euhaline; 30-34.9 ppt).

River estuaries are an example of a waterbody that have periodic varying salinity levels. These can also be referred to as poikilohaline waterbodies.

Salinity testing of effluent water in the receiving waterbody or natural wetlands should be conducted.

Salinity levels in the receiving waterbody or natural wetlands may be obtained from credible sources, e.g. results of government monitoring.

To comply with the exception in the indicator, salinity testing in the waterbody or natural wetland should take place. Alternatively, test results can be obtained from credible sources, e.g. scientific or government body.

Results of salinity testing for effluent water and in the receiving waterbody or natural wetlands.

If applicable, reports or measurements determining whether waterbodies and natural wetlands have naturally varying salinity levels.

Salinity test results have been presented which determine one of the following:

The location and/or route of the discharge of brackish or saltwater effluent to demonstrate discharge does not take place over land.

Examples of evidence may include maps/plans of the discharge locations/routes.

Evidence has been presented, such as maps/plans, to demonstrate brackish or saltwater effluent is not discharged over land.

Brackish water has a salinity of 0.5-29.9 ppt, while seawater has a salinity of > 29.9 ppt.

Low permeable liners include liners made from:

Records demonstrating the installation and maintenance of low permeable liners in ponds.

Low permeable liners have been installed and maintained in ponds.