Sustainable Aquaria
Public Aquaria
Friend of the Sea Certified Aquaria
Public aquarias offer the unique experience of witnessing species of marine life first-hand, and in many cases species of aquatic flora and fauna that many would otherwise never see without the exclusive opportunity.
As public aquaria continue to increase globally, Friend of the Sea acknowledges the importance of ensuring they uphold Sustainability principles and animal welfare.
Scholarly literature highlights the role of nature experiences, particularly those provided by aquaria, in fostering pro-environmental behaviour in humans. Friend of the Sea recognizes aquaria as valuable opportunities to cultivate public empathy toward nature, encouraging greater attention to aquatic conservation and Sustainability. With approximately 150 million aquarium visits annually, aquaria have the potential to significantly contribute to addressing climate emergency and conservation issues through experiential education.
Sustainable Aquaria Certification, incorporating Sustainability, animal welfare and education
To achieve true Sustainability, aquaria must prioritise both exceptional animal welfare standards and active participation in conservation breeding programs for endangered species.
The Friend of the Sea Aquaria Certification encompasses not only Sustainable management practices but also the use of tangible marine experiences for conservation education.
Aquariums seeking Friend of the Sea certification must demonstrate a strong commitment to Sustainability, including effective waste management and social accountability. They must also provide comprehensive scientific information on each species and organise annual conservation education programmes.
The Standard for Green Aquaria Certification
Friend of the Sea criteria for Sustainable aquaria certification require:
- Ensuring the implementation of the Environmental Policy principles;
- No captivity for mammals;
- Staff trained in aspects of animal welfare;
- That the aquarium provides scientific information beside each display;
- Waste and energy management;
- Social Accountability.
Ornamental species
The Sustainable ornamental species certification refers to tropical marine and freshwater aquatic species kept at home and in public aquaria. It is estimated that more than 2 billion live aquatic ornamental species are moved annually worldwide, including fish, corals, crustaceans, mollusks, aquatic plants, and live rocks.
If managed Sustainably, the trade in wild caught ornamental fish and other aquatic life can support jobs in predominantly rural, low-income coastal communities, providing strong economic incentives for coral reef conservation in regions where other options for generating revenue are limited.
However, the trade of ornamental species for aquaria has the potential to add pressure to these ecosystems, through the overexploitation of some species and damaging the coral reef.
That’s why Friend of the Sea has developed a certification programme for Sustainable collection and farming of ornamental species.
The Standard for Ornamental Fish Sustainability
Friend of the Sea’s Ornamental Species Standard, which includes a Chain of Custody audit, helps protect and safeguard the natural environment.
- Friend of the Sea criteria for Sustainable ornamental species certification require:
- Non-destructive collection methods;
- Selective harvesting;
- Compliance to all Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species requirements;
- No species to be harvested listed on the IUCN Red List;
- Sustainable reef management plans.
Apply for our Sustainability certifications
Would you like to receive a quotation for Friend of the Sea audit and royalties to use our logo?
Please fill out the online Preliminary Information Form (PIF) and send back to quality@friendofthesea.org
- All the information will be kept strictly confidential and implies NO commitment from your company.
- The Friend of the Sea certification is voluntary and NOT mandatory to gain access to markets.
- The application process is NOT discriminatory on size, scale, management, minimum number of operators and number of vessels involved. Nonetheless, enhanced fisheries and enhancement activities, regarding wild catches, cannot apply for certification.
- Friend of the Sea is a NGO and it strives to make participation in the audits affordable for all companies.
- Please, contact us for more information on Government funding which might be available in your Country for sustainability certifications: info@friendofthesea.org
- Find here out pricelist
