Sweden 3 February 2011
Comment on draft shrimp aquaculture standards.
By coincidence FIAN just learned that WWF US has been behind developing standards that has now been open for comments. FIAN has not been informed less invited to any dialogue. Considering the important work that e.g. WWF Sweden has done with its Fishguide advising never to consume tropical shrimp, we had never imagined that WWF could be behind the idea of certifying shrimp aquaculture for the export market. This explains why we are late with our comment hoping that you will consider it .
FIAN is an organizations present in 60 countries with the aim to contribute throughout the world to the implementation of the provisions of the International Bill of Human Rights by working for the protection of the human right to food and, above all, the right to feed oneself of persons or groups threatened by or suffering from hunger and malnutrition, especially peasants, agricultural workers, landless labourers, squatters, sharecroppers and others whose land rights have been or are being violated.
Shrimp farming leads to massive destruction of the mangrove eco-system, agricultural lands, water resources and coastal fishery. This has severe socio-economic consequences with loss of food security and livelihood for especially poor coastal populations. Land used collectively for food, and also other basic needs, is privatized for the comparatively short gain of a few to produce a luxuary product for the rich. It often leads to displacement and human rights violations. According to the UN Millenium Assessment shrimpfarming in the intertidal aerea is always an economic loss. As we understand from rapidly looking at your web, you are ready to certify farms in the intertidal area.
(http://www.worldwildlife.org/what/globalmarkets/aquaculture/dialogues-shrimp.html)
We wish to express our deep concern that WWF is behind setting up standards for shrimp aquaculture thus legitimizing an industry with severe social and environmental consequences wether certified or not.
Shrimp consumption needs to be reduced, by giving it a green stamp it will rather lead to increased consumption and thus it will lead to increased negative environmental and social consequences.
We are also appalled that you claim on your web
http://www.worldwildlife.org/what/globalmarkets/aquaculture/dialogues-shrimp.html) that the standards will be effective in promoting a responsible aquaculture that is in harmony with both the environment and the people living in the communities located near the farms. Especially as it seems no consultation or real dialogue has taken place on which to base such an assumption, we could only find on meagre report with a couple of people interviewed.
Moreover reading your web, your “expert guide” claim ”Farmed fish is an excellent source of protein and, when produced well, helps protect the environment. I am totally convinced that aquaculture is the most sustainable way to feed the world.” If this also goes for shrimp it is a suprising statment considering the amount of protein that goes into shrimp farming is more then the harvested shrimp.
We are sorry we are late in sending our comments due to the reasons explained above.
For the sake of respecting the human right to food as stated in the International Covennant of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of coastal populations we plea to you not to release these standards.
Lena Klevenås
President FIAN Sweden
lena.klevenas@telia.com
