State Shellfish Best Management Practices, Standards, and Certification Programs

State Best Management Practices Guidelines

• Florida
• Hawaii 
• New Jersey
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Virginia

Regional Industry Association Best Management Practices

• Pacific Coast Shellfish Grower’s Association 
  • Environmental Policy Statement (2001) 
• East Coast Shellfish Growers Association 
  • Best Management Practices 

National and Global BMPs

• Global Aquaculture Alliance Best Aquaculture Practices 
   
• CODEX ALIMENTARIUS Principles for Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification 
   
• World Wildlife Foundation Bivalve Aquaculture Dialogue Standards    -- WWF, in collaboration with a diverse group of aquaculture stakeholders, developed global standards for filter-feeding bivalves: clams, oysters, scallops and mussels. Over a three-year period, almost 400 people joined the discussion. Their work ended in August 2010, when the first set of credible global standards for the bivalve aquaculture industry was published.
   
• FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries    -- The Code provides principles and standards applicable to the conservation, management and development of all fisheries including aquaculture.
• Aquaculture Stewardship Council - Bivalve Standards  

Certification Programs

• Aquaculture Certification Council  
   
• Food Alliance    -- The Alliance offers the only current certification for farmed bivalves (oysters, clams, geoducks, mussels) in North America.
   
• Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC)    -- The Council has completed its standards setting process and has appointed Accreditation Services International as the ASC accreditation body. For the certification of aquaculture operations and the seafood chain of custody, the ASC will engage with independent third-party certification bodies. This part of the ASC’s assignments, which will include training of the certification bodies, will be operational by mid 2011.
   
• Marine Stewardship Council    -- The Marine Stewardship Council certifies wild-catch fisheries, but not farmed shellfish.