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Review of Aquaculture Policy and Legislation

Document format: pdf

Publisher: Secretariat of the Pacific Community

Creation date: July 2003

This report analyses the current legal framework for aquaculture in 21 countries and territories in the Pacific region, and distils from this analysis a number of considerations with both general and specific application. Aquaculture in the region is significant for the several con- tributions that it makes to Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs): as an alternate source of nutrition to reduce fishing pressure on inshore and coastal fisheries; to reseed reefs of depleted stocks; to spread economic opportunities into outer islands; and as the basis for earnings at small and large scales of production.

In terms of legislation, it is evident that it tends to be inadequate despite various levels of development in the PICTs. Whilst laws in the region are similar, several important issues addressed in some PICTs were absent from other national legislation. Moreover, no generalised relationship could be drawn between the nature of regulation and level of aquaculture development.

There was a notable absence of specific aquaculture policies both at the regional and national levels. Commonly, plans for aquaculture were often incorporated into general fisheries plans/policies and had mainly an economic objective, such as increasing employment and economic returns. National aquaculture policies are needed in order to address and direct issues not only concerning industry development, but also encompassing the needs for subsistence and community-based aquaculture development, environmental integrity and food security. The legislative and policy environment can either stimulate or constrain aquaculture development. It is therefore important that PICTs enact suitable legislation that will promote sus- tainable aquaculture development. This report is timely given that several countries beyond the Pacific region have also conducted legislative and regulatory reviews into the hindrances and concerns for aquaculture development. The findings of these parallel reviews have helped to inform the current study of the Pacific Islands. The report also includes a description of the future activities that should be included in designing country-specific legislation and regional policy approaches.

Key Words: South Pacific Aquaculture • Policy and Regulation