Water quality and environmental management in aquaculture certifications

Aquaculture has become a rapidly growing sector worldwide, meeting the food needs of the global population, contributing to the employment and economies of producing countries, and experiencing a significant increase in production value. Turkey is among the countries where aquaculture production and related exports have noticeably increased. Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) farming has been a leading production force in aquaculture. However, limitations in water and other natural resources in farming can lead to disruptions in the natural ecological balance, resulting in environmental pollution. To ensure the market's access to healthy, safe food and sustainable production in respond to consumer demands, it has become necessary to establish, implement, and enforce regulations in aquaculture activities. National fisheries management, along with regional and international certification bodies, mandates compliance with regulations and rigorous inspection processes for facilities. GLOBALGAP-AQUA and the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) conduct certification and inspections in aquaculture worldwide and in Turkey. This thesis focuses on environmental and water quality management in rainbow trout facilities that hold GLOBALGAP-AQUA and ASC certification in the Southwest Anatolia Region. Within this framework, the successes and shortcomings of the application of certification principles in the facilities have been attempted to be identified. To achieve this goal, observations and examinations were conducted at pre-determined facilities, face-to-face surveys were carried out with personnel from different professional groups in the facilities, and interviews were conducted with certification units and relevant professional organizations. According to the interviews with certification units and the results of the surveys, the benefits obtained from certification practices include increasing exports (30.56%), expanding market share, improving worker health and welfare, enhancing facility and product quality, and emphasizing water quality and environmental management. Significant deficiencies in the implementation of certifications include the high cost of water quality analysis (41.03%), bureaucratic obstacles, pollution caused by production, lack of certification training for technical personnel, and insufficient collaboration between professional training and certification organizations and facilities.