Organic

Currently, there are no USDA organic standards for aquaculture. These standards are set to be established as early as 2007 or as late as 2008. Given this timeline, Marvesta Shrimp Farms is looking towards certifications from organizations not completely affiliated with the USDA. These certifications, however, would certify that Marvesta Shrimp Farms is well within the guidelines of what organic standards have been and in most likelihood will be.

The organizations Marvesta is working with towards various certifications are:

• Quality Certification Services (QCS)
• The Aquaculture Certification Council (ACC)
• Global Agriculture Alliance (GAA)
• Turtle-safe Shrimp Program (TSS)
• Naturland

QCS offers certification accredited by both the USDA ISO Guide 6S and the National Organic Program. The ACC certifies aquaculture facilities which meet social, environmental, and food safety standards. This certification can be seen either as the ACC stamp or the BAP (Best Aquaculture Practices) stamp. GAA encourages the culture of safe, wholesome seafood in an environmentally and socially responsible manner with an eye towards sustainability and accountability. TSS certification is self-explanatory: comply with laws protecting sea turtles. These animals in turn will be saved from extinction. Finally, Naturland is a German-based organic certification agency whose standards, if complied with, would allow Marvesta to claim international (organic?) certification.

Marvesta Shrimp Farms, as mentioned earlier, is currently in the process of certifying with most if not all of the aforementioned organizations. We hope to one day become USDA organically certified. We at Marvesta believe our certification is only a matter of time, given everything we have done has been done with being certified organic as the end goal. So we can say and say with conviction, “Expect Organic (at present, Expect Environmentally Friendly).