PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD ____:2016
Code of Good Aquaculture Practices (GAqP)forSeaweeds
RevisedDraftPNS
For Posting to WTO
27 July2016
Page1of81       Scope 1
ThisCodeofGoodAquaculturePractices (GA qP)forSeaweed coverspractices thataimto 2
preventorminimizetheriskassociatedwithaquacultureproductionin land-based, 3
brackish and marine waters .This Code coverstheaspectsofaquacultureproduction 4
addressing foodsafetyand quality ,environmentalintegrityand socio-economicwelfare. 5
ThisCodeappliestoaquaculturefarmsand/or production area intended for seaweed 6
farmingandconsistsofminimum c ompliancerequirements. 7
2       Refer ences 8
The titles of the publications referred to in this Standard are listed in the inside back cover.9
3. Definition of Terms10
11
3.1Seaweed referstomacroscopic, multicellular ,marinealgaesuch asclass Chlorophyta 12
(green algae ), Phae ophyta ( brown algae) Rhodophyta ( red algae). It also applies to species 13
both with food and non -food applications. (modified from PNS/BAF PS85:2012-Dried Raw 14
Seaweeds)15
16
3.2Seaweed farmrefers to an aquaculture production un it (either land -or water-based 17
such as but not limited to brackish and marine waters ; usually consisting of culturesystems 18
(on/off bottom, floating, long -line,raft),holding facilities (tanks, pens,ponds, raceways, 19
cages),structures (on-site farm shelter, nursery, sorting,dryingbuildings, storage,), service 20
equipment and propagules/cultivars .(modified from CAC/RCP 52 -2003) 21
22
3.3Competent authority refers to a bureau or agency mandated by law ,with 23
responsibility for the implementation of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures. 24
25
3.4Production area referstooff or on shore sites/locations where seaweeds are 26
cultured propagated or naturally grown . 27
28
4Site Selection29
30
4.1 Location31
32
4.1.1Production area s houldbelocated in anenvironmentally suitableareadesignated by 33
competent authority where risks toseaweed safetyareminimized. 34
35
4.1.2Production area in which the owner has a proof of legal right or privileges ( license to 36
operateorbusinesspermitfromthe localgovernmentunit) indicating the farm location 37
through coordinates and effectivity period . 38
39
4.1.3 Production area should comply with existing environmental regu lations by 40
competent authority.41
42
4.2    Lay-outand design 43
44
4.2.1Seaweed f armdesignand layout shouldprevent cross contaminationfromseaweed 45
natural diseases ,emergence of environmental hazards anddamage to existing marine 46
habitats. 47
48
4.2.2Production area should be designed with proper space allocation for its facilities to 49
ensureease ofnavigation , unimpeded current flow andspecies segregation . 50PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD ____:2016
Code of Good Aquaculture Practices (GAqP)forSeaweeds
RevisedDraftPNS
For Posting to WTO
27 July2016
Page2of851
4.2.3Culture facilities s houldbedesignedand constructedwithmaterials causingminimal 52
negative environmental impact andphysicaldamageto seaweed duringcultureand 53
harvesting. 54
55
5Facilitiesandsanitation 56
57
5.1       Facilities 58
59
5.1.1Solidand/or non -biodegradable wastesshouldbekept in confine dareaandits 60
disposal should be compliant with existing regulation s. 61
62
5.1.2Water contaminants such as f uel, oil, lubricants shouldbekeptatonshore structures 63
andstored separatelyandin safe condition. 64
65
5.1.3Regular repairs and maintenance should be undertaken to preserve the good physical 66
condition of the facilit y. 67
68
5.2    Sanitation 69
70
5.2.1Production area anditssurroundings shouldbemaintained in a cleanandhygienic 71
condition. 72
73
5.2.2Containers,equipmentandfarmfacilities shouldbemaintainedat all times ingood 74
conditionfor ease in cleaning and sanitizing. 75
76
5.3Wastesremoval 77
78
5.3.1Wastesshould be identified as to source whether onshore or offshore, segregated as 79
into biodegradability, toxicity and recyclability . 80
81
5.3.2Wastesshouldbe removedatleastonce adayand regularly disposed in accordance 82
with applicable sanitation regulations . 83
84
5.3.3Waste containersand thewastestoragepremisesshouldbe cleanedand sanitizedon 85
shoreafter eachuse. 86
87
5.3.4Wastesshouldbeproperly stored suchthat it isnot asourceof contamination. 88
89
5.3.5Disposal of natural off shore waste like epiphytes, discarded or worn out planting 90
implements, flotsam anddisease infected seaweeds should be properly managed. 91
92
6Management 93
94
6.1Production management 95
96
6.1.1Propagation practicesin the seaweed farm shouldminimize risk f or cross- 97
contaminationand conform totheexistingstandards . 98
99
6.1.2Planting materials/seaweed seedlings should be sourced from variet iesproven to 100
beendemic or adaptable in the area , good yield ingspecieshealthyand resistant to disease . 101
102
103
104
105PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD ____:2016
Code of Good Aquaculture Practices (GAqP)forSeaweeds
RevisedDraftPNS
For Posting to WTO
27 July2016
Page3of8106
6.2Waterquality 107
6.2.1Water quality (e.g.Ph turbidity, salinity and temperature ) of the seaweed farm should 108
beregularly monitored r to determine its suitability forseaweed cultureor adjustment in 109
farming procedures to ensure seaweed survival . 110
111
6.2.2Waterin production area should be far from sources of pollution, andinoptimum level 112
throughout the year.113
114
6.2.3Currentflowshould be suited for seaweed farm ingand no obstruction shouldimpede 115
themovement of the water . 116
117
7Diseases 118
119
7.1Production area should follow existing protocol on seaweed diseases . 120
121
7.2Incidence of disease infestation in the production area and nearby localities/sites should 122
be monitored for proper remedial measures . Early manifestations of disease son seaweed 123
should be controlled and eliminated.124
125
7.3In the event of imminent massive di sease outbreak, the competent authority should be 126
immediately notified for appropriate disposition.127
128
7.4Contaminated or disease infected seaweedshould be culled ,disposed properly and 129
should not be sold to the market. . 130
131
8Harvesting and tran sport 132
133
8.1Harvesting 134
135
8.1.1Seaweeds should be harvested when its required maturity has been reached in 136
accordance with the existing seaweed specifications. 137
138
8.1.2Timing of harvest should coincide with the period of favorable weather patternand 139
tidalconditions . 140
141
8.1.3142
Proper harvesting practices and procedures should be followed.143
144
8.2Post-harvesthandling and Transport 145
8.2.1Post-harvestingstructures, equipmentandparaphernalia shouldbeeasy to cleanand 146
kept insanitary and goodoperating condition. 147
148
8.2.2Operationssuchas sorting,weighing,washing,draining, dryingand packing should 149
be carriedoutproperly andhygienicallyto maintain the good quality of theproduct. 150
151
8.2.3For seaweed intended for drying, proper procedure should be followed to meet 152
existing product standard . 153
154
8.2.3Transportcontainer and other implements shouldbe carriedout in cleanandeasy to 155
cleanfacilities (sacks, containers,etc.). 156
157PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD ____:2016
Code of Good Aquaculture Practices (GAqP)forSeaweeds
RevisedDraftPNS
For Posting to WTO
27 July2016
Page4of88.2.4.Seaweedshouldbetransportedunderphysical conditionswhichdonotadversely 158
affecttheirmarketability and consumer acceptability . 159
160
9Personnel health and hygiene 161
162
9.1Allworkersshouldbe physically fit . 163
164
9.2Workers should be trained on farm level hygienic practices to ensure they are aware of 165
their roles and responsibilities for protecting aquaculture products from contamination and166
deterioration throughout the production cycle.167
168
9.2Personnelwhocould contaminateproducts shouldbeexcludedfromworkingand 169
handlingof seaweed. 170
171
9.3Workers shouldwearsuitableand appropriate working clothesandprotective gears . 172
173
9.4Workers shouldwashtheirhandstimebeforecommencingpostharvest work. 174
175
9.5Smoking, spitting or drinking alcoholic beverages in the working and storage premises 176
should be discouraged.177
178
10 Traceability and record keeping179
180
10.1.Adequate recordsfor the origin and species, planting and harvest dates, total weight 181
of propagules used, number of culture/planting lines, size of ponds or pens and actual wet182
weight harvested shouldbe keptin the production area . 183
184
10.2Records for movement of seaweed s hould be maintained and reported for traceability. 185
186
10.3Recordsonharvesting shouldbe maintained. 187
188
10.4Adequate recordsonthebuyersoffinalproductsshouldbe kept (one-step-forward 189
traceability). 190
191
10.5All records should be recorded, kept, maintained and made accessible during culture 192
and for at least 24 months after harvesting.193
194
11Laborandcommuni ty 195
196
11.1Childlabor 197
Anti-child laborlaws,policies/andpracticesshouldbeobserved . 198
199
11.2Anti-discrimination/unequal treatment of employeepolicy 200
Workers should not be discriminated against on the basis of gender, race, religion, culture,201
age, etc.202
203
11.3 Training on safety 204
Trainingon safety procedures should be conducted for the workers. 205
206
11.4First aid 207
208
11.4.1Firstaid kit shouldbeavailablein adequate quantity andconveniently access ibleat 209
the production area . 210
211PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD ____:2016
Code of Good Aquaculture Practices (GAqP)forSeaweeds
RevisedDraftPNS
For Posting to WTO
27 July2016
Page5of811.4.2Laborers shouldbeable todemonstrateawarenessandapplication of differentfirst 212
aidmeasures. 213
214
11.5Wagesandworking hours 215
216
11.5.1Workers should receivefairanddecent salaryin consistent with existing laws and 217
regulations.218
219
11.5.2Working hours or piece wagerates should be based on the existing labor laws and 220
regulations.221
222
11.6Livingconditions foremployees 223
224
11.6.1Livingquartersof stay-inlaborshouldbe safe,cleanand in good habitable condition 225
and convenient . 226
227
11.6.2Potablewaterin adequate supply andsuitable toilets(e.g. portal let) shouldbe 228
availableand properly maintained . 229
230
11.7SocialAspects 231
232
11.7.1Farmsoperation should observetherightsof host local community on the use of 233
public land and infrastructures, fishing grounds, and water resources following existinglaws 234
and regulation s. 235
236
11.7.2Harmonious, productive and mutually beneficial relationship with local community 237
should be maintained to foster responsible business social responsibility. 238
239
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Code of Good Aquaculture Practices (GAqP)forSeaweeds
RevisedDraftPNS
For Posting to WTO
27 July2016
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______________________________________________________268
References 269
The following referencedocumentsare indispensable for theapplication of thisdocument. Fordated 270
references,only theedition citedapplies. Forundated references,the   latesteditionofthe   referenced 271
document   (includinganyamendments)applies. 272
ASEAN, 2015.StandardonASEAN G ood Aquaculture Practices (GAqP)for Food Fish ( Part1). 273
Establishmentof Standardon ASEAN GAqP Project. Ass ociationof Southeast Asian Nations- 274
Australia De velopmentCooperation ProgramPhase II (ASEAN-ADCPII).ASEAN Secretariat, 275
Jakarta, Indonesia. 276
277
ASEAN,2011.Standardon ASEAN Good Aquaculture Practicesfor Shrimp Farming (ASEANShrimp 278
GAP). AssociationofSoutheast Asian Na tions. ASEANSecretariat, Jakarta,Indonesia. 279
280
BFAR Fish eries Administrative Order214 s.2001.Codeof Practice f or Aquaculture.Bureauof Fisheries 281
and Aquatic Resources. Departmentof Agriculture. Quezon City, Philippines. 282
283
CAC RCP52-2003Amended 2-2013. Recommended Codeof Practicefor FishandFisheryProducts. 284
CodexAlimentarius Commission. Rome,Italy. 285
286
DENR Administrative Order No. 34 s. 1990. Revised Water Usage and Classification. Water Quality287
Criteria Amending Section Nos. 68 and 69, Chapter III of the 1978 NPCC Rules and Regulations. 288
Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Quezo n City, Philippines. 289
290
FAO,2011.Technical Guidelineson Aquaculture Certification. Foodand AgricultureOrganizationofthe 291
United Nation. Rome,Italy. 292
293
FAO,2011. Codeof ConductforResponsible Fish eries.Foodand AgricultureOrganizationofthe United 294
Nation. Rome,Italy. 295
296
GLOBALG.A.P. Aquaculture Standard–version5July2015. GLOBALG.A.P.Secretariat.Germany. 297
298
PNS/BAFS 135:2014. Philippine National Standard on the Code of Good Aquaculture Practices (GAqP). 299
Bureau Agriculture and Fisheries Standards. Department of Agriculture. Quezon City, 300
Philippines. 301
302
PresidentialDecreeNo. 442,AsAmended.1974.ADecreeInstituting A LaborCode Thereby 303
RevisingandConsolidating LaborandSocialLawsto Afford 304
ProtectiontoLabor,PromoteEmploymentandHuman Res ources 305
DevelopmentandInsureIndustrialPeaceBasedOnSocial Justice. Philippines. 306
307
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310
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312
313
314
315
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Code of Good Aquaculture Practices (GAqP)forSeaweeds
RevisedDraftPNS
For Posting to WTO
27 July2016
Page7of8324
Annex 1 325
326
Water Quality Criteria for Pollutants, Toxic and Other Deleterious 327
Substances for Fresh, Coastal and Marine Waters 328
(For the Protection of Public Health)6 329
330
PARAMETER
(Maximum Limits)UNITFRESHWATERS COASTAL & MARINE WATERS
Class C Class D Class
SAClass
SBClass
SCClass
SD
Arsenic(a) mg/L0.05 0.1 0.05 0.05 0.05 --
Cadmium(a) mg/L0.01 0.05 0.01 0.01 0.01 --
Chromium(a)(hexavalent) mg/L0.05 0.1 0.05 0.1 0.1 --
Cyanide mg/L0.05 -- 0.05 0.05 0.05 --
Lead(a) mg/L0.05 0.5 0.05 0.05 0.05 --
Total Mercury(a) mg/L0.002 0.002 0.002 0.002 0.002 --
Organo-phosphate mg/LNil Nil Nil Nil Nil --
Aldrin mg/L-- -- 0.001 -- -- --
DDT mg/L-- -- 0.05 -- -- --
Dieldrin mg/L-- -- 0.001 -- -- --
Heptachlor mg/L-- -- Nil -- -- --
Lindane mg/L-- -- 0.004 -- -- --
Toxaphane mg/L-- -- 0.005 -- -- --
Methoxychlor mg/L-- -- 0.10 -- -- --
Chlordane mg/L-- -- 0.003 -- -- --
Endrin mg/L-- -- Nil -- -- --
PCB mg/L-- -- 0.001 -- -- --
Surfactants (MBAS) mg/L0.05 -- 0.2 0.3 0.5 --
Oil/Grease (Petroleum
Ether Extract)mg/L2 5 1 2 3 5
Phenolic Substances    as
Phenolsmg/L0.02(b)-- nil 0.01 (b) --
Total Coiliforms MPN/
100m
l5000(c)-- 70(c)1000(c)1000(c)--
Fecal Coliforms MPN/
100m
l-- -- nil 200(c)-- --
Copper mg/L0.05(e)-- -- 0.02(d)(e)0.0(e)--
331
Legend:332
Class C–fishery water for the propagation and growth of fish and other aquatic resources. 333
Class D–other inland waters, by their quality, belong to this classification. 334
Class SA –waters suitable for the propagation, survival and harvesting of shellfish for commercial 335
purposes. 336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
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RevisedDraftPNS
For Posting to WTO
27 July2016
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Annex 2 (Cont…) 346
347
Class SB–fishery water Class I (spawning areas for Chanoschanos or Bangus and similar species). 348
Class SC–fishery water class II (commercial and sustenance fishing). 349
Class SD –other coastal and marine waters, by their quality, belong to this classification. 350
(a)–do not apply if natural background is higher in concentration. The latter will prevail and will be 351
used as baseline. 352
(b)–not present in concentrations to affect fish flavor/taste. 353
(c)–these values refer to the geometric mean of the most probable number of coliform organism 354
during a 3 -month period and that the limit in dicated shall not be exceeded in 20 percent of the samples 355
taken during the same period. 356
(d)–for spawning areas of Chanoschanos and other similar species. 357
(e)–limit is in terms of dissolved copper. 358
nil–extremely low concentration and not detectable b y existing equipment. 359
---means the standard of these substances are not considered necessary for the present time, 360
considering the stage of the country’s development and DENR capabilities, equipment and resources. 361
362
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365
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_____________________376
6Based from Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Administrative 377
Order No. 34 s. 1990 (March 20, 1990). Revised Water Usage and Classification/Water 378
Quality Criteria Amending Section Nos. 68 and 69, Chapter III of the 1978 NPCC Rules and 379
Regulations. 380
381