This Standard covers aquatic plants (seaweed) and fish carnivorous, omnivorous and herbivorous organisms ofall types and at all stages of growth, grown in any form of enclosure such as earthen ponds, tanks and cages(open and closed systems). Organisms that are moving freely in open waters, and/or that are not capable of inspection according to generalprocedures for organic production, are not covered by these Standards. Wild, stationary organisms in open collecting areas can be certified as organic.

BREED

• Where available brought in aquatic organisms shall come from organic sources.
• Artificially polyploided organisms and genetically engineered species or breeds, and sex-reversed fish are prohibited.  
• Use of artificial hybridisation, cloning and production of monosex strains except by hand sorting is prohibited.   
• The aeration of water must be documented if it is carried out.
• Mechanical aeration is permitted to ensure animal welfare and health and should be powered by renewable sources.
• Closed recirculation systems are prohibited, with the exception of hatcheries and nurseries, or for the production of species used for organic feed organisms.

FEED

• Aquaculture feeds shall generally contain 100% certified organic  components.
• If 100% organic ingredients are not available then wild feed resources may be used.
• When organic feed is not available in adequate quantity or quality, feed of conventional origin up to a maximum of 5% (by dry weight) is allowed.
• Priority is given first to sourcing feed products of aquaculture origin, then fishmeal and fish oil from organic aquaculture trimming, then fishmeal and fish oil from non-organic aquaculture trimmings offish caught for human consumption, then failing that up to a maximum of 60% can be from organic plant based products.
• For salmon, fishmeal and fish oil from non-organic aquaculture trimmings of fish caught for human consumption can be used up until 31 December 2014 and shall not exceed 30% of the daily ration.

Operators may use non-organic aquatic animal protein and oil sources provided they:

• Harvested from independently verified sustainable sources
• Verified to have contamination levels below limits established by AsureQuality
• Do not constitute 100% of the diet

The following products shall not be included in or added to the feed:

• Material from the same species/genus/family as the one being fed   
• Feedstuffs subjected to solvent (e.g. hexane) extraction   
• Pure amino acids   
• Urea   
• Synthetic growth promoters and stimulants   
• Synthetic appetisers   
• Synthetic antioxidants and preservatives   
• Artificial colouring agents   
• Genetically engineered organisms or products thereof

The following natural colouring may be added to feed:

• Astaxanthin from organic sources, or if unavailable then astaxanthin from natural sources (such as Phaffia yeast)
• Vitamins, trace elements and supplements used shall be from natural origin when available.

AQUACULTURE PROTECTION

• The poisoning of predators is not permitted.
• Fertilisers and pesticides are prohibited.
• To minimise the risk to water quality, disease risk and likelihood of attracting pests sanitation must be maintained by removing uneaten fish-feed, faeces and dead animals.

HEALTH AND MEDICAL CARE

• Conventional, veterinary medicinal products may only be used if no other justifiable alternative is available, and/or if the treatment is required by legislation.
• The use of chemical allopathic veterinary drugs and antibiotics is prohibited for invertebrates.
• Prophylactic use of veterinary drugs, except vaccinations in certain cases, is prohibited.
• The use of malachite green or formalin is not permitted as fungal treatment of eggs.
• Vaccinations are permitted if diseases that cannot be controlled by other management techniquesare known to exist in the region.
• Genetically engineered vaccines are prohibited.
• Synthetic hormones and growth promoters are prohibited.
• The use of allopathic treatments is limited to two courses of treatment per year, with the exceptionof vaccinations.
• Aquatic animals shall not be subject to any kind of mutilation.
• Chemically synthesised tranquillisers or stimulants shall not be given to the animals prior to or during transport or at any time.