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3.4.3 Demonstrating awareness of policies, certifications, and best practices promoting climate-smart aquaculture (FAO, GAA, ASC standards)

Climate-smart aquaculture is supported by a range of international policies, certification schemes, and best practices that aim to make fish and shellfish farming more sustainable, resilient, and environmentally responsible.

Key organisations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA), and Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) play a significant role in guiding these efforts.

The FAO provides global guidance through frameworks and recommendations that promote sustainable aquaculture development. It encourages practices that reduce environmental impacts, improve resource efficiency, and help farms adapt to climate change—for example, better site selection, ecosystem-based management, and responsible use of water and feed. FAO policies also emphasize resilience, helping farmers prepare for risks like extreme weather and changing water conditions.

Certification schemes such as those developed by the Global Aquaculture Alliance (through its Best Aquaculture Practices, BAP) and the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) set clear standards that farms must meet to be recognised as sustainable. These certifications focus on areas such as water quality management, biodiversity protection, animal health, and social responsibility. In the context of climate change, they encourage reduced pollution, efficient energy use, and careful monitoring of environmental conditions. For shellfish farming, ASC standards also promote maintaining good water quality and protecting surrounding ecosystems.

Best practices promoted under these frameworks include regular water quality monitoring, responsible stocking densities, use of resilient species or strains, and reducing waste outputs. They also support innovations like integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (e.g., combining shellfish with seaweed), which can improve environmental performance.

Overall, these policies and certifications help ensure that aquaculture systems are better prepared for climate change while minimizing their impact on the environment.