The World Wildlife Fund on Tuesday announced that the draft aquaculture standards for freshwater trout are now available for the first of two public-comment periods.
The standards, designed to help minimize the environmental and social impacts of trout farming, are the result of the Freshwater Trout Aquaculture Dialogue. The 200-person roundtable includes trout industry leaders, scientists, conservationists and others from the world’s leading trout-producing countries, including Italy, Spain, Denmark, the United Kingdom and the United States.
The public comment period runs through 27 September, with the second beginning about two months later. The standards are expected to be finalized by year’s end.
“We have tried to engage a lot of people in the process, and, while we have made some progress, it is very important that we get input from more trout producers,” said David Bassett of the British Trout Association and member of the dialogue steering committee. “During the public comment periods, we are hoping to receive the advice and guidance we need to improve the first draft of the document so we end up with a meaningful set of standards.”
In addition to freshwater trout, five sets of draft standards — pangasius, abalone, bivalves and shrimp are the other four — are in the process of being reviewed or finalized. Standards for tilapia were finalized in December 2009. All of the standards are expected to be completed within approximately six months.
