Yellowtail
Seriola lalandi
What to check for
Location
All areas
Production method
Closed system, RAS
Certification
Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC)
Global Seafood Alliance Best Aquaculture Practices (GAA BAP) 2*
Rating summary
Unlike open net pen fish farming , Seriola can be farmed in enclosed land-based production systems that have little or no direct environmental impact. However, Seriola are a carnivorous species which require a high percentage of fishmeal and fish-oil in their diet, which makes them a net user of fish protein rather than a net provider. The wild fish on which they rely cannot, as yet, be assured to come from a sustainable supply.This rating is based on full compliance with certification requirements. Commercial buyers should therefore ensure that full compliance has been achieved in order for this rating to be applicable.Rating last updated June 2020
Technical consultation summary
tech consult summary test (you can deleted this)
How we worked out this Rating
Feed
What feed is given to farmed fish, where it comes from and how much is used is one of the most important aspects of fish farming. In this section we look at how sustainable the feed is and how much fish is included in the diet.
The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) standard for feed is under development and in 2016, it published an interim solution for the ASC Marine Feed Ingredients. Under the ASC Standard, non marine ingredients do not need to be from sources certified by an ISEAL Member s certification until 2023. The aquaculture feeds used by Dutch producers of S. lalandi are produced by suppliers that have a responsible feed sourcing policy, however the implementation of this cannot be verified. The majority of terrestrial inputs used in the formulation of these diets is traceable to the country of origin, however the responsible sourcing of these cannot be assured at this time. The Feed Fish Dependency Ratio for this species currently indicates that more fish protein is required in the diet than these fish produce, making them a net consumer of fish rather than a net producer.
Environment
The environmental impacts of aquaculture depend on what fish is farmed, how and where. It could be habitat damage, chemical use, pollution, freshwater use or parasites. In this section we look at the environmental impacts of greatest concern for that species and production method. Some species, such as shellfish, have very little impact, whilst others may give us cause for concern.
Seriola lalandi farmed in a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) have little environmental impact. RASs can be built and operated anywhere and tend to utilize previously existing buildings, thereby avoiding sensitive habitats. When purpose built, this is done on previously converted land and therefore there is no loss of habitat or loss of ecosystem functionality. As the system uses seawater, there is also no depletion of freshwater supplies. Pathogens are an ongoing challenge in RAS systems due to their rapid spread within the system. However, the inherent design of RAS systems means that there is physical isolation from the surrounding environment. This means that there is no risk of the spread of pathogens or parasites to wild species. This also means that there is no environmental impact from chemical usage. Chemicals are not widely used in Dutch RAS Seriola farming and any wastewater leaving the facility is treated and sterilized prior to discharge, indicating that the risk of active chemical compounds being released into the environment is very low. For waste produced, biofilters can also transform any uneaten food/animal waste into fish food, making it almost waste free. Juveniles used are hatchery produced and are not depleting wild stocks. As they are farmed in a closed system, there is no risk of escapes and no measures are needed to control predators.
Fish health and welfare
Fish health and welfare is a concern for many consumers. High welfare standards are an indication of good farm management, we look to see if there are industry wide welfare standards in place, and if these include humane slaughter.
ASC certified farms are required to implement a Health Management Plan and site visits by a designated veterinarian is required at least four times a year, and by a fish health manager at least once a month. Humane slaughter is affirmed by the GSA BAP 2* requirement of the standards for certified farms at least once a month.
Management
How aquaculture is regulated and how effective those regulations are is an important aspect of farmed fish production. We also look to see if aquaculture is included in broader environmental management plans. In this management section we also award scores for globally recognised certification standards, as certified seafood requires verification of environmental performance and traceability.
The ASC Seriola & Cobia Standard addresses the environmental impacts of Seriola aquaculture, which is further supported by country level regulations.The ASC standards cover the main environmental and social impacts of aquaculture, including fish health, feed and fair employment conditions, by setting metric based indicators. Farms are assessed annually by external auditors and results published. ASC products are traceable throughout the supply chain. ASC is the only ISEAL compliant aquaculture certification scheme.
References
Aquaculture Facility Certification Finfish and Crustacean Farms, Best Aquaculture Practices,- Issue 2.4. May 2017. Available at:- https://bapcertification.org/Downloadables/pdf/standards/PI%20-%20Standard%20-%20Finfish%20and%20Crustacean%20Farms%20%E2%80%93%20Issue%202.4%20%E2%80%93%2023-May-2017.pdf- [Accessed 28.07.2020]
ASC (2016). Interim solution on Marine Raw Material Requirements in the ASC Farm Standards. Available at:- https://www.asc-aqua.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/ASC-Feed-Interim-solution-Marine-Ingredients_FINAL_20161213.pdf- [Accessed 28.07.2020]
ASC (2019). ASC- Seriola- & Cobia Standard V1.1. Available at- https://www.asc-aqua.org/what-we-do/our-standards/farm-standards/the-seriola-and-cobia-standard/- [Accessed 28.07.2020]
Fishbase:- Seriola- lalandi- Summary- http://www.fishbase.org/summary/Seriola-lalandi.html- [Accessed 28.07.2020]
Hidalgo, M. (2017). Assessing the Social, Sustainable and Economic impact of a- Seriola- farm in Japan, Seafood Matter article. Available at:- https://www.seafoodmatter.com/single-post/2017/08/06/Yellowtail-Seriola-farm-in-Japan-Assessing-the-Social-Sustainable-and-Economic-impact-of-a-Seriola-farm-in-Japan- [Accessed 28.07.2020]
Kailola, P.J., M.J. Williams, P.C. Stewart, R.E. Reichelt, A.- McNee- and C. Grieve, (1993). Australian fisheries resources. Bureau of Resource Sciences, Canberra, Australia. 422 p. Available at:- https://www.fishbase.se/references/FBRefSummary.php?ID=6390- [Accessed 28.07.2020]
Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch Report:- Global Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (indoor, tank-based) operating as grow out facilities. March 2020. Available at:- https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjWjZPegvDqAhUIUcAKHTscD0oQFjAAegQIBxAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.seafoodwatch.org%2F-%2Fm%2Fsfw%2Fpdf%2Freports%2Fg%2Fmba_seafoodwatch_global_ras_report.pdf&usg=AOvVaw02V-7MZOSoI4AEr_JWX5QF- [Accessed 28.07.2020]
May, J.L. and J.G.H. Maxwell (1986). Trawl fish from temperate waters of Australia. CSIRO Division of Fisheries Research, Tasmania. 492 p. Available at:- http://www.reefbase.org/resource_center/publication/pub_6779.aspx- [Accessed 28.07.2020]
Pauly, Daniel and Watson, Reg (2009) "Spatial Dynamics of Marine Fisheries"- In:- Simon A. Levin (ed.)- The Princeton Guide to Ecology. Pages 501- “509. Available at:- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/235417842_Spatial_Dynamics_of_Marine_Fisheries- [Accessed 28.07.2020]
Poortenaar- C.W. et al. (2001), Assessment of yellowtail kingfish- Seriola- lalandi- reproductive physiology, as a basis for aquaculture development,- Aquaculture- 201. 271- “286. Available at:- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S004484860100549X- [Accessed 28.07.2020]
Regulatory and Legal Constraints- For- European Aquaculture, (2009). Available at:- https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/etudes/join/2009/431568/IPOL-PECH_ET%282009%29431568_EN.pdf- [Accessed 28.07.2020]
Siccurro- &- Luzzana, (2016), The state of- Seriola- spp. other than Yellowtail (S.- quinqueradiata) farming in the world,- Reviews in Fisheries Science & Aquaculture.- Available at:- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/304069375_The_State_of_Seriola_spp_Other_Than_Yellowtail_S_quinqueradiata_Farming_in_the_World- [Accessed 28.07.2020]
Smith, A.K., (1987). Genetic variation and dispersal of the yellowtail kingfish,- Seriola- lalandi, from New South Wales waters. University of New South Wales. M.S. thesis. Available at:- https://www.fishbase.in/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=27865&lang=french- [Accessed 28.07.2020]
https://www.seafoodsource.com/news/business-finance/kingfish-zeeland-changes-name-to-the-kingfish-company- [Accessed 28.07.2020]
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