Aquicultura orgânica: uma análise das dificuldades e potencialidades para pequenos produtores de peixes

Organic aquaculture, like organic agriculture, follows certification standards and seeks sustainable food production without the use of chemical inputs and with low environmental impact. This production system has peculiarities that make its regulation still being discussed. In this way, the present study sought to expand knowledge and point out some limits of organic fish production on a small scale. A questionnaire was sent to 250 organic certification bodies from around the world, asking about the number of certified organic fish farmers and, when non-existent, the possible reasons for not having certified fish producers. A review and search for information was also carried out with specialists in organic aquaculture production from different countries. Responses were obtained from 65 certifiers, of which only 25 reported having already certified organic aquaculture activities, of which 13 were freshwater fish farms. The other 40 certifiers that participated in the survey responded that they had not yet carried out any certification in organic aquaculture. It was observed that the limitations for small organic fish farmers are the production of young forms, feed supply, lack of technological innovation, insufficient information and some economic difficulties related to certification. It was found that there are few organic fish producers and there is a lack of knowledge about fish farming by organic certification bodies. The analysis sought to help institutions responsible for organic certifications to incorporate standards that take small producers into account, which could lead to an increase in the number of small producers of organic fish.