7 NGO Approaches to Aquaculture
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Such NGO activities can complement general consumer education by going one
step further and singling out environmentally and socially friendly producers of a
wide range of species. These producers in return benefit from enhanced relationships with their customers, potential access to new markets and, in some cases,
prices premiums. This approach, however, has some drawbacks. Retailer purchasing policies developed in coordination with NGO and industry partners are most
often developed in private. The groups developing the policies may or may not
consult with a range of interested parties including scientists, communities, and
other NGOs. The focus and strength of the standards vary, as do the methods for
auditing and enforcing the implementation of the standards. Moreover, it remains
unclear whether these relationships have the ability to push the aquaculture industry
as a whole to more sustainable production. To be transformative, a handful of small
retailers purchasing from producers that are already environmentally and socially
responsible will not be sufficient. Leading retailers and buyers will need to implement strong and enforceable purchasing policies, encourage more retailers to take
action, and partner with NGOs, producers, extension agencies, and others to measurably improve the performance of the industry.
7.3.4 Influence Governments
Most NGOs use a range of approaches in their aquaculture work, and a number of
NGOs work to influence government policies and regulations. Strong and targeted
regulation, when effectively enforced, can ensure that aquaculture producers meet
a minimum environmental and social performance level. Government officials in
the U.S., the U.K., Canada, and other countries maintain regular communication
with environmental groups about aquaculture related issues, but the formality of the
role of NGOs in governments varies widely among NGOs and countries. In the U.S.,
a representative from Environmental Defense served on the U.S. Department of
Agriculture National Organic Program’s Aquaculture Working Group, which
drafted standards for farmed aquatic foods in 2007. Representatives from Canada’s
Department of Fisheries and Oceans are regular participants in the WWF-initiated
Salmon Aquaculture Dialogue. The Marine Conservation Society consults formally
and informally on government policies in the U.K. In Norway, WWF-Norway is
appointed to sit on the Governmental Commission to reduce escapes. Additionally,
there are a host of NGOs that work with country governments to develop protected
or aquaculture free areas both on land and in the oceans. IUCN and WWF participate on the UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s Committee on Fisheries
(COFI) which is composed of representatives from the member country governments. Both WWF and IUCN work to influence the COFI and subsequent changes
in member country policies. Although regular contact and communication exists
among governments and NGOs, the degree of influence NGOs have on government
decision-making varies widely.
239
Such NGO activities can complement general consumer education by going one
step further and singling out environmentally and socially friendly producers of a
wide range of species. These producers in return benefit from enhanced relationships with their customers, potential access to new markets and, in some cases,
prices premiums. This approach, however, has some drawbacks. Retailer purchasing policies developed in coordination with NGO and industry partners are most
often developed in private. The groups developing the policies may or may not
consult with a range of interested parties including scientists, communities, and
other NGOs. The focus and strength of the standards vary, as do the methods for
auditing and enforcing the implementation of the standards. Moreover, it remains
unclear whether these relationships have the ability to push the aquaculture industry
as a whole to more sustainable production. To be transformative, a handful of small
retailers purchasing from producers that are already environmentally and socially
responsible will not be sufficient. Leading retailers and buyers will need to implement strong and enforceable purchasing policies, encourage more retailers to take
action, and partner with NGOs, producers, extension agencies, and others to measurably improve the performance of the industry.
7.3.4 Influence Governments
Most NGOs use a range of approaches in their aquaculture work, and a number of
NGOs work to influence government policies and regulations. Strong and targeted
regulation, when effectively enforced, can ensure that aquaculture producers meet
a minimum environmental and social performance level. Government officials in
the U.S., the U.K., Canada, and other countries maintain regular communication
with environmental groups about aquaculture related issues, but the formality of the
role of NGOs in governments varies widely among NGOs and countries. In the U.S.,
a representative from Environmental Defense served on the U.S. Department of
Agriculture National Organic Program’s Aquaculture Working Group, which
drafted standards for farmed aquatic foods in 2007. Representatives from Canada’s
Department of Fisheries and Oceans are regular participants in the WWF-initiated
Salmon Aquaculture Dialogue. The Marine Conservation Society consults formally
and informally on government policies in the U.K. In Norway, WWF-Norway is
appointed to sit on the Governmental Commission to reduce escapes. Additionally,
there are a host of NGOs that work with country governments to develop protected
or aquaculture free areas both on land and in the oceans. IUCN and WWF participate on the UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s Committee on Fisheries
(COFI) which is composed of representatives from the member country governments. Both WWF and IUCN work to influence the COFI and subsequent changes
in member country policies. Although regular contact and communication exists
among governments and NGOs, the degree of influence NGOs have on government
decision-making varies widely.