The legal status of using the organic label in the United States for aquatic species, and the future of developing U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) certification standards for organic aquaculture products and aquatic species, are under review. Internationally, several certifying bodies have developed organic aquaculture standards.
Organic Aquaculture
USDA Guidance
Aquatic Animals Task ForceUSDA. AMS. National Organic Program.
Comprises a collection of documents from the National Organic Standards Board Aquatic Animals Task Force including Aquaculture Working Group reports on finfish and bivalve mollusc aquaculture and recommendations on aquaculture, farmed aquatic plants, fish feed, net pens, and bivalves and molluscan shellfish.
Industry Overview
The Organic Aquaculture QuandaryAgricultural Marketing Resource Center.
Discusses the organic aquaculture guidelines debate in the United States and provides links to further information.
International Standard
KRAV Standards: AquacultureKRAV Ekonomisk förening.
Overview of organic aquaculture standards developed by KRAV, and Swedish certification agency in cooperation with Norwegian certification agency Debio. The standards meet, and may surpass, European Union requirements for organic production.
Certified Organic AquacultureNaturland.
One of the leaders in developing organic aquaculture standards for the European Union, Naturland standards and projects are on the cutting edge of this sector.
Organic Standards: AquacultureSoil Association.
Presents the Soil Association organic standards for aquaculture. These standards have the EU organic regulation as their baseline, but may be more stringent, especially in terms of animal welfare requirements.
Organic Aquaculture DossierInternational Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements.
Discusses the current European Union organic aquaculture rules and legislation, the history of organic aquaculture, global organic aquaculture production and markets, the impact of the rules on several aquaculture species systems, and challenges facing of the organic aquaculture sector.
