6.5. Better management practices

Better management practices (BMPs) are a set of guidelines that promote improved farming practices to increase production through responsible and sustainable aquaculture. There is a significant level of variation in BMPs for different commodities, culture systems and locations. In India, BMPs implemented by farmer clusters have resulted in improved yields, fewer disease occurrences and higher profitability, as well as other private and public benefits.

In the Philippines, each mariculture park has an operations manual containing production guidelines and management measures following the principles of good aquaculture practices, and serves as the guideline for all activities within the parks. The guideline covers zone and farm location, layout and design, biosecurity sanitation and hygiene, waste storage and removal, good farm management measures, including feeds and feeding, farm effluent treatment, worker health and safety, disease diagnosis, treatment and chemical use, harvesting, post-harvest, traceability and food safety.
In Scotland, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, area management agreements follow the Code of Good Practice for Scottish Finfish Aquaculture. The code, developed in 2006, is an evolving document that is regularly reviewed to incorporate essential changes in legislation and emerging priorities in environmental management and the sustainable development of the industry. It brings the standard of practice of every participating farmer up to a specified acceptable level, and is based on science and experience, reflecting the industry’s desire to remain at the forefront of good practice.