Responsible Movement

International and regional governance in the form of codes and guidelines for the responsible movement of live aquatic animals has been drafted by various international bodies since the early 1970s. Foremost among these are the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea’s ICES Code of Practice for the Introductions and Transfers of Marine Organisms 2005 (ICES 2005) and the European Inland Fisheries Advisory Commission (EIFAC) Codes of Practice and Manual of Procedures for Consideration of Introductions and Transfers of Marine and Freshwater Organisms (Turner, 1988). The ICES and the EIFAC codes of practice consider the possible ecological, genetic and pathogen-related damages that may result from the ill-considered movement of live aquatic organisms and provide decision-making processes to assist governments in deciding if a particular introduction or transfer should occur. These codes of practice can thus be considered as the forerunners of the more recently developed risk analysis methods of for ecological (pest), genetic and pathogen risks (see, for example, Bondad-Reantaso, Arthur and Subasinghe 2008). They also reflect the current trend towards integrating the various risk analysis sectors when assessing risks to and from aquaculture development (see Bondad-Reantaso, Arthur and Subasinghe 2008).

   The responsible movement of live aquatic animals is also a basic component of FAO’s Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (FAO 2005) and is supported by the FAO Technical Guidelines for Responsible Fisheries; 5 Aquaculture Development (FAO 1997) and especially, 5, Supplement 2  Aquaculture Development 2. Health Management for Responsible Movement of Live Aquatic Animals (FAO 2007). Responsible movement of live aquatic animals is thus a fundamental part of good governance and an activity that should be practiced at all levels, from international governance to individual aquaculturists.