National Strategy on Aquatic Biosecurity for the Cook Islands.

The National Strategy on Aquatic Biosecurity is a national policy with a cross-sectoral approach. The timeframe of the Strategy is 4 years between 2018 and 2022. The main goal of this Strategy is to maintain healthy fisheries and aquaculture resources for sustainable economic development by improving national standards, infrastructures and capacities on aquatic biosecurity.
Aquaculture development will be ensured in an ecologically sustainable manner. Biodiversity conservation will be strengthened for the protection of aquatic environments and habitats, especially those of particular significance, highly diverse and pristine for fisheries management. Sustainable development of the fisheries and aquaculture sectors will be achieved by ensuring free and healthy aquatic stocks.
Aquatic species health management will be improved in line with the diagnosis of aquatic species diseases, prevention, control, treatment, surveillance, and national and international reporting, with special emphasis on farmed aquatic species. Potential negative impacts will be prevented or minimized through assessment of the impacts of aquaculture on aquatic ecosystems and aquatic resources. Possible biological risks will be controlled in aquatic environments, such as the risk of pathogens and invasive species. Aquatic stocks will be protected against aquatic animal diseases and aquatic plant pests. Aquatic biosecurity measures will be taken to maintain healthy animals, reduce the risk of developing diseases in aquatic stocks, harvest high-quality products and ensure good yields. National standards will be developed for live aquatic species and their products in line with the quarantine procedures and operations, certification schemes, permitting, border control, import risk analysis and environmental impact assessment. Furthermore, aquatic biosecurity and aquatic animal health will be improved by developing import and export requirements for aquatic organisms and products, aquatic species diseases management, quarantine for live aquatic organisms, emergency planning in the case of an aquatic disease outbreak, and international collaboration on aquatic biosecurity. Environmental impact assessment will be developed to control the introduction of alien aquatic species. Public awareness will be raised on aquatic biosecurity, national health certification and CITES implementation. A database will be established on aquatic species health status.
The Ministry of Marine Resources shall be responsible for the implementation of the Strategy. The Inshore Fisheries and Aquaculture Division under the Ministry shall lead and coordinate the implementation of the four-year Strategy in collaboration with the Pacific Community’s Aquaculture Section and other relevant international and national stakeholders. Strong inter-agency collaboration will be established for the successful implementation of this Strategy by involving a broad range of stakeholders including government agencies, academic institutions, regional and national organisations, and civil society. A National Steering Committee on Aquatic Biosecurity will be established to undertake implementation, logistics, administrative issues, periodic monitoring and reporting.