1. GOOD AQUACULTURE PRACTICES
Introduction
Good Aquaculture Practices (GAP) can be defined as a practice or aquaculture
practices are effective and practical to avoid minimize the impact on the environment
and social. GAP include structures (such as the construction of settling ponds to
remove the materials suspended solid), biological (such as crops to remove Nutrients
in effluents) in order to address the associated problems.
Wikipedia define GAP as Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP), a set of farm raised
seafood standard developed by Global Aquaculture Allience (GAA). BAP standards
address environmental and social responsibility, animal welfare, food safety and
traceability for farms and hatcheries of shrimp, tilapia and catfish as well as seafood
processing plants. The BAP are organized as a tiered ranking system: certified
companies with four-star rating are considered the most strictly compliant.
Site selection
Proper site selection takes into account environmental resources as well as
access to industrial infrastructure such as roads, reliable electrical power and water
supply. Environmental parameters focus on water resources to supply aquaculture
operations as well as water discharge. Surface water and groundwater sources for
incoming water should be analyzed for water quality and for chemistry parameters
appropriate for the culture species.
Organized the selection is based on the area that has been designated by the
state authorities as aquaculture development areas. Besides the derelict land and
unproductive but fit can also be used. Choosing an area that will not affect the

2. activities of other economic sectors is also suitable as an area for aquaculture
activities. In addition, an area with complete basic infrastructure is suitable to be
selected as sites for aquaculture. These areas are areas that are encouraged by the
code of practice for aquaculture. But the risk of problems such as flooding, erosion,
pollution and forest reserve areas are locations which are not recommended to be
used as an area for aquaculture activities.
Beside topography has a significant effect on surface water, directly impacting
runoff and drainage patterns. If a facility is downhill or downstream from agricultural
or industrial activities, they may become an intermittent source of water
contamination from fertilizers, manure, pesticides, or other chemicals. In addition,
specific to pond site selection is slope, soil composition, and depth. Ponds are
designed to hold water, so unless expensive liners will be utilized, soil clay
composition should be a minimum of 20 percent to ensure water retention.
FARM CONSTRUCTION
Cleaning Area
 Felling of trees in plantations should be minimized to avoid soil erosion.
Existing tree roots around the farm will be able to hold ground with strong
structure. This helps to prevent erosion and reduce soil mixed rain water
(mud) flows into the pool and cause the pond is shallow.
 Prevent erosion and pollution of water resources during the construction of
the pool.
 Necessary services are available for cultivation zone vicinity of
river or other water body.

3.  Avoid construction means a negative impact on the environment.
Farm Design
 Have the appropriate retention ponds. Reservoirs must be able to
accommodate the needs of water for livestock ponds that are on the farm.
 Have a pool or area for sewage treatment in accordance with the farm size.
Treatment pond is necessary to ensure that the water supplied to the
livestock ponds are clean and free of negative elements such as chemicals
and livestock wastes of time.
 Have a water system in and out separately. Management of inlet and outlet
water is very important for a breeding pond. Water inlet and water outlet
systems must be installed out of the net. For the installation of the water
system in the net is to prevent livestock waste time and materials that do not
have the access to the breeding pond. Meanwhile the net in the water
system out of hand, is intended to prevent the breeding of fish out of the pool
when the water flow out. In addition, the installed nets can also prevent
predators from entering the pond through water channels in and water out.
 Shape and size of the pond should facilitate the management of water and
livestock. Shape and size of an animal that fits the scale will facilitate
maintenance work including when to feed livestock, harvesting and post-
harvest pool clearance.
 Farm shall have operating facilities and skilled workers. With the
availability of the facilities available in the farm, maintenance work will be
able to run smoothly and quickly. Workers skilled in handling farm equipment
to optimize the allocation of time for maintenance and maximize production.

4.  Design of a farm should feature safety and hygiene. This is very important in
ensuring the safety of animals, workers and the facilities are the best in your
field.
Fish farm design
Fish farm design is very important because it’s needed in a way to develop our safety
aquaculture activity. There are some factors in fish farm design need to considered:
 Suitable pond. Pond design provide for adequate level height and width to
accommodate required production and harvest equipment.
 Special pond for sewage treatment based on size of fish farm. This is because;
the soil will have high organic matter. For planting, high organic matter is very
useful, but in aquaculture, it can create high oxygen demand and finally release
toxic nitrogen compound that can. Too much nitrogen can damage aquatic
organism to growth well.
 Water flow (inlet and outlet) are separated. Because it can control the amount of
water coming in and going out of the pond correctly.
 Design and size of pond must be suitable for facilitate water and fish
management.
 Complete workers and accommodation operational in farm.
 Farming design must be emphasis all the safety and hygienic.
Livestock Management
Fish livestock management is an important aspect in determining the progress
of a project run. Livestock management includes preparation of ponds, maintanance
of seeds, water, foods, health and waste product. During the ponds preparation,
clean up base and around the pool area. The use of allowed poisons should be at the

5. appropriate rate is also emphasized so that it would not affect the fish. While for the
seed maintanance, the seed used should be from high quality and good track record.
Animal husbandry and management systems adopted must also be adapted to the
size of seed used. Seeds also need to have the same size and age in order to avoid
competition for food or small fish fell victim to a big fish. In the management of water,
if necessary, water should be treated before use. Turbid water need to be
precipitated in advance. Other than that, water exchange should also be made to suit
the animal ages. Ventilation methods used should also be compatible with livestock.
Organic matter fertilizer is encouraged as water treatment materials and is used in a
suitable manner. For the preparation of food, the food used is high quality food
formulations. Wet food ingredients must be consisting of material that is fresh, clean
and safe. Rate and feeding schedules should be tailored to the system and the
livestock. The use of antibiotics should also be in accordance with the date of lapse
and its use is permitted. During the management of health, hygiene concern at the
system, equipment and employees which they shall comply with the requirements
specified cleanliness. If there is disease in the animal, report the occurrence to the
nearest Department of Fisheries immediately. Final management is the management
of sewage sludge which shall be placed in the appropriate place and must be treated
before being discharged into public waters.
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Good Aquaculture Practices (GAP)
NO. ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
1. Ensure product quality and safety. Require high implementation
costs.

6. 2. Ensure consistency in production and Price of the product will increase.
remain competitive in global market.
3. Make the industry more responsible and The costs of management will
more eco-friendly. increase.
4. Ensure sustainable development for the Complicated to handle.
future.
5. Prevent the occurrence of fish diseases
and pollution.
Record Keeping Of Good Aquaculture Practice
To achieve efficient production in aquaculture, regular improvement and capable
tracing for problems at certain stage of production, good data and record keeping are
required with possible review for the improvement of production efficiency, or
enhance the efficiency in the future crops or in case of production problem such as
disease outbreak. This requirement is also of great benefit to farmer for identifying
the cause of problem and finding solution for the next crop or in case there is
production problem such as disease outbreak. More importantly, after completion of
each production cycle, data analysis should be conducted. Farmer should keep those
data on farming at least 4 years since the date of recording.
There are some kinds of record-keeping in livestock or livestock data such as:
Activities Management Record
Seed Management Record
Food Management Record
Use of Drugs and Chemical Record
Incidence of Disease Record

7. Yield Record
Employees Record
Financing Project Record
References
1. Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (2009). Thai Agricultural Standard.
Good
a. Aquaculture Practices For Marine Shrimp Farm. The Royal Gazette,
Vol.126 Section 187D
2. http://www.fishdept.sabah.gov.my/aquaculture.asp
3. http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/600/600-054/600-054.html
4. http: //www.acfs.go.com