Aquaculture Management Regulations 2022.

These Regulations lay down rules for the content, review and adoption of Aquaculture Management and Development Plan; categories of aquaculture activities; application procedures and conditions for and renewal of an aquaculture development license; import and introduction of live aquatic organisms and exotic fish; farming standards and best practices for the management of an aquaculture farm, of a specific aquaculture commodity or of aquaculture activities; standards and best practices for the handling, processing and export of aquaculture fish and aquaculture fish products; application procedures and conditions for and renewal of an aquaculture fish processing establishment licence and aquaculture fish export licence; export permit for every export of aquaculture fish or aquaculture fish product; quality certification of aquaculture operations and aquaculture fish processing establishments; obligation of aquaculture operators and aquaculture fish processors and exporters to keep production, processing and export records for traceability purposes; designation of aquaculture officers and their powers and duties; revocation and suspension of licence; offences and penalties; forfeiture of equipment and fish; non-transferability of licences; and the obligation of the CEO to maintain a list of all permits, licences and authorizations issued under these Regulations, including all aquaculture farms, aquaculture fish processing establishments, and aquaculture fish export individuals or companies.
According to Regulation 25, aquaculture products shall be certified as being aquaculture products by an Aquaculture Officer, based upon reasonable evidence that the product originates from aquaculture and is free from OIE-listed diseases. Furthermore, all aquaculture fish and aquaculture fish products exported from Tonga shall be accompanied by the following documentation: (a) an export permit issued by the CEO; (b) a CITES permit, as applicable; (c) a sanitary or phytosanitary certificate, as applicable;(d) a food safety clearance for fish and fish products intended for human consumption; and (e) any other documentation required by the importing country. Regulation 15 lists the required documents for the application for a aquaculture fish processing establishment licence, including but not limited to: any environmental and food safety clearances, and a HACCP plan based on a food-safety hazard analysis of the fish intended for processing. Schedule 3 lists the authorized feeds for use in aquaculture, and Schedule 4 lists the authorized chemicals and veterinary drugs for use in aquaculture.