Chemicals used within the aquaculture industry are identified and for each chemical a brief summary is provided on the intended purpose, the scale of its application, the aquacultural sectors and geographic locations of its principal use and its potential impact on the environment and human health. Environmental issues arising from the properties of aquacultural chemicals are discussed. The use of most chemicals in aquaculture, if carried out properly, can be regarded as wholly beneficial with no attendant adverse environmental effects or increased risks to the health of aquacultural workers. Concerns appear warranted, however, regarding the overuse and misuse of certain chemicals for which proper risk assessments with respect to the marine environment have not been conducted. A further legitimate concern and a barrier to the conduct of an exhaustive review of chemical use practices is the unavailability of quantitative data on contemporary chemical use in the aquaculture industry. The viability of contemporary aquaculture is contingent on the use of chemicals. Accordingly, with the overriding consideration should be minimizing the quantities of chemicals applied, most current uses of chemicals are essential. This study, recognizing that chemotherapeutants and pesticides in current use are of verying effectiveness and hazard, provides recommendations to promote the safe and effective use of chemicals in coastal aquaculture. Government authorities, the scientific community and the aquacultural and pharmaceutical industries all have an important to play in ensuring that chemical use is consistent with protection of environmental quality and human health.

Aquaculture, Resource Use, and the Environment places aquaculture within the larger context of global population growth, increased demand for sustainable, reliable sources of food, and the responsible use of natural resources. Aquaculture production has grown rapidly in recent decades as over-exploitation and environmental degradation have drastically reduced wild fish stocks. As fish production has increased, questions have persisted about the environmental sustainability of current aquaculture practices. Aquaculture, Resource Use, and the Environment is a timely synthesis and analysis of critical issues facing the continued growth and acceptance of aquaculture practices and products. Chapters look at the past, present, and future demands for food, aquaculture production, and tackle key issues ranging from environmental impacts of aquaculture to practical best management practices in aquaculture production. Providing broad coverage of issues that are essential to the continued development of aquaculture production, Aquaculture, Resource Use, and the Environment will be vital resource for anyone involved in the field of aquaculture.

This report presents the implementation activities and results of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Project FMM/RAS/298/MUL: Strengthening capacities, policies, and national action plans on prudent and responsible use of antimicrobials in fisheries. The objectives of this project were to develop and/or enhance the knowledge, skills and capacity of the participating Competent Authorities on fisheries and aquaculture, as well as to assist them in the development and implementation of policies and national action plans (NAPs) on the prudent and responsible use of antimicrobials. The project enhanced the capacities of national Competent Authority (technical specialists, inspection and laboratory staff) to enable productive engagement with other lead agencies (e.g. the World Health Organization [WHO], national agriculture, food safety and animal health authorities), particularly with respect to their aquaculture and fish food safety component contributions to the NAP and the integration of the aquatic sector within the One Health framework. The report also briefly summarizes the recent actions and activities taken by FAO related to AMR in aquaculture since the completion of this project, including awareness raising targeting policymakers and aquaculture stakeholders, relevant publications, candidate reference centers and other ongoing projects to date.

Aquaculture sector in Asia-Pacific has grown rapidly during the past four decades and contributed significantly to food security, nutrition, livelihood and overall socioeconomic development in the region. Meanwhile, disease problem has become increasingly challenging in aquaculture. Un-prudent and poorly controlled use of anti-microbial in animal disease control in aquaculture can have significant contribution to AMR risk. Although the control over the use of antimicrobial in aquaculture through some regulatory frameworks has been strengthened over the past decade in the region, it is far from adequate and effective in many Asian countries. In order to support the members to effectively address AMR in aquaculture for public health and sustainability of the sector, FAO and Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific (NACA) jointly organized the regional consultation on AMR associated with aquaculture in Asia-Pacific on 4-6 September 2018. This publication documents the conduct of the regional consultation and its outputs, which identified major issues and gaps in tackling AMR issue in aquaculture and recommended desirable interventions and long-term strategy to effective mitigate AMR risk related to aquaculture in the region. The document also includes the seven country case studies on status of use of antimicrobial in aquaculture and the efforts to manage the risks of antimicrobial resistance, which were presented at the regional consultation.

Provides annotations to the Principles of Article 9 of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. These annotations are meant to serve as general guidance, and should be taken as suggestions or observations intended to assist those interested in identifying their own criteria and options for actions, as well as partners for collaboration, in support of sustainable aquaculture development.