Saudi Arabian Code for Responsible Aquaculture Practices. Country/Territory Saudi Arabia Document type Miscellaneous Date 2017 Source FAO, FAOLEX Subject Environment gen., Food & nutrition, Fisheries, Water Keyword Biodiversity Processing/handling Protection of environment Residues Standards Sustainable development Drugs Aquaculture Aquatic animals Capacity building Certification Fish disease Fish products Hygiene/sanitary procedures Traceability/product tracing Transport/storage Animal health Consumer protection Education Food quality control/food safety Public health Business/industry/corporations Effluent waste water/discharge Hazardous substances Hazardous waste Subsidy/incentive Waste non-domestic sources Pollution control Freshwater pollution Geographical area Asia, Middle East, Near East and North Africa, Persian Gulf, Red Sea & Gulf of Aden, Western Asia Abstract This Code for Responsible Aquaculture Practices is a nationwide sectoral document aiming at promoting the responsible and sustainable development of the aquaculture industry to assure the high quality of the products, respect of the environmental and societal considerations, and meeting of consumers’ food safety requirements. The Code, primarily based on the international standards and guidelines required by the GAA/BAP farm certification standards, has been developed by the Saudi Aquaculture Society (SAS), under the guidance of the Aquaculture Department of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (ADMEWA) and it serves as the official standard setting document for the certification and labelling of national aquaculture products under the SAMAQ program. The Code is designed to meet four main objectives (1) a well-constructed instrument helping in achieving balanced and proportionate regulation of the industry’s activities; (2) a high minimum standard of practice for every participating aquaculture producer and a framework for industry development through continuous improvement; (3) assurance to all stakeholders, consumers and the general public that Saudi aquaculture is a highly responsible operating food sector; (4) certification of the industry and the subsequent labelling of the products under the SAMAQ logo, to develop marketing and promotional actions for increasing the awareness on the industry’s products. Full text English Website www.mewa.gov.sa