Organic certification in aquaculture: an analysis of the brazilian standard

Organic aquaculture, grounded in sustainability and animal welfare, is regulated in Brazil by Normative Instruction No. 28/2011. Certification standards must be followed, and in this sector, they are relatively new. This study analyzes some aspects of the Technical Standards for Aquaculture Production in Brazil, regulated by IN 28/2011, established under Law No. 10,831/2003, which deals with organic agriculture. The IN addresses issues such as requirements, documentation, conversion period, partial conversion or parallel production, and the welfare of aquatic organisms. Additionally, in various instances, such as the acquisition of animals, it refers to the need for communication with organizations linked to certification. It was observed that it is recommended that aquatic organisms should not receive feed as the sole component of their diet and should receive organic feed from the production unit itself or from another unit in an organic production system. Although standards are essential for the proper development of any activity, the lack of clarity in some criteria, such as the establishment of stocking densities (normally expressed in biomass per unit area), can create uncertainties. Unlike European regulations, which establish precise limits, Brazilian legislation needs to be reviewed and adapted for greater conformity with reality.