64 MARCH 2017 • WORLD AQUACULTURE • WWW.WAS.ORG farm through PT. Tiwandi Sempana, a company branch. PT. BMI then undertakes processing and exporting shrimp worldwide. How Seafood Savers Can Assist Companies to Achieve ASC Certification Assistance is started by conducting a gap analysis. Registered farms are assessed in relation to all principles in ASC standards. Shrimp and tilapia are covered by ASC certification and thus tools to conduct gap analysis are available, but what about seaweed? There is no ASC standard for seaweed yet, so WWF-Indonesia has developed Better Management Practice (BMP) guidelines for seaweed farming using responsible practices in regards to basic ASC principles. Two sets of BMP guidelines on seaweed farming were launched by WWF-Indonesia, providing guidance for pond-based Gracilaria farming and marine-based cottonii, sacol and spinosum farming. Gap analysis then produced a series of identified gaps between current practices and requirements in the standard. Together with the company, work plans on the aquaculture improvement program will be developed regarding identified gaps. Improvement programs are case-specific, depending on the identified gaps on each farm. Some action may not be executable by the company itself and may require partners, such as local and national governments, to act. After fully equipped with the work plan, assistance from Seafood Savers becomes comprehensive through improvement program implementation. Companies that want to achieve certification can be assisted by Seafood Savers/WWF-Indonesia to achieve this goal. This can include advocacy to government, study/ research, and consultation on responsible farming practices. Improvement to Conserve the Environment Shrimp ponds in Tarakan, North Kalimantan were built more than 20 years ago by conversion of mangrove wetlands. Assisted by WWF-Indonesia, PT. MMA and registered farmers have recovered mangrove habitat by planting 11,604 trees in a 1.16 ha area. As regulated by the Ramsar Convention, mangrove habitat alteration from shrimp farm establishment has to be compensated by rehabilitating 50 percent of the area affected by the farms. In recognition of the impact of farming practices on the environment, PT. MMA has also conducted a Biodiversity Environmental Impact Assessment (BEIA). This study enables farmers to understand the importance of local ecosystems surrounding their farm to their success of farm operations. The study has recommended that farmers conduct mangrove restoration with native species and regular monitoring on critical habitat and protected species. In another step to maintain a healthy environment, and encouraged by PT MMA, farmers have committed not to use dangerous substance to control predators. Farmers also have committed to prevent the escape of cultured animals by installing a double-layer net on the outlet gate. With regard to the environment, the Jak U Neuheun shrimp farmer group has committed not to use wild post-larvae and any chemicals and antibiotics during farm operations. Endangered species surrounding the ponds have also been identified and farmers have been educated not to use lethal predator control during their operation. Improvement in Farm Management Small-scale farmers often have poor management skills, particularly on keeping records. WWF-Indonesia assists farmers on a daily basis to improve farm management by recording farm activities. Water quality is measured, recorded in a pond book, and analyzed periodically. Farmers have been trained to use water quality data to maintain good pond conditions. Aside from water quality monitoring, farmers have been well-trained to record all inputs used and effluent released from ponds. By documenting farm activities, farmers could perform effective management, which may lead to their success. The key to successful production not only depends on data management and other farm practices. WWF-Indonesia, through the Seafood Savers Program, also assists farmers to improve practices related to seed selection, disease and feed management. Improvement of Social Aspects Impacts of aquaculture activities on society are identified to ensure that aquaculture provides some social welfare. Companies may not pay much attention to their workers’ welfare along their supply chain. As long as they give a fair price to the pond owner, they assume workers gain fair wages as well. ASC not only considers the social consequences to the direct society involving farm operation but also the communities surrounding the farm. Facilitated by WWF-Indonesia, PT. MMA conducted a Participatory Social Impact Assessment (p-SIA) that recommended that the company, with its shrimp farmers, design farm policies on the use of inorganic fertilizer, community events and operation standards in aquaculture; and building better communication between farm owners and the workers. PT. MMA has also improved living condition of the workers on the farm site by providing appropriate toilet facilities. At the farm level, having a contract with farm workers is not normal. To assure that the farm owner provides fair wages, a contract has to be made transparently and kept both by pond owner and worker. Seafood Savers could help improve social aspects this way. Aquaculture provides a wide variety of benefits to various sectors, e.g. income generation for farmers/owners, pressure reduction on wild stock, employment and livelihoods in rural or remote areas, increased fish supply and other economic advantages from trade. However, aquaculture does not produce fish without leaving a trace. Irresponsible resource use and farming practices represent the dark side of aquaculture; it is not hard to cite examples of the adverse effect of aquaculture on the environment. Shrimp farming has been very prominently blamed for mangrove clearing, habitat conversion, loss of ecological goods and services, groundwater salinization and seed removal from wild stocks.
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