Shellfish Portal - BMPs / Standards / Certification Programs

This section provides links to documents containing both industry-driven and government mandated Best Management Practices. This list provides examples of some prominent BMP documents, but is by no means an exhaustive list. NOAA does not advocate for any organization or any such practices. Have a document to share? Contact us.

State Best Management Practices Guidelines

• Florida (pdf)
  
• Hawaii (pdf)
  
• New Jersey (pdf)
  
• Maine (pdf)
  
• Maryland (pdf)
  
• Massachusetts (pdf)
  
• Virginia (pdf)
  
• Washington (Geoduck culture BMPs)

Regional Industry Association Best Management Practices

• Pacific Coast Shellfish Grower’s Association 
  • Environmental Policy Statement (2001) 
  • Research Priorities (2009) 

• East Coast Shellfish Growers Association 
  
  • Best Management Practices 

National and Global BMPs

• Global Good Agriculture Practices (for aquaculture) 
  
• 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.

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.