THAI AGRICULTURAL STANDARD

TAS 7405- 2010

GOOD AQUACULTURE PRACTICES

FOR TILAPIA FARM

National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards

Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives

ICS 65.020.30 ISBN XXX-XXX-XXX-X

 UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION

THAI AGRICULTURAL STANDARD

TAS 7405-2010

GOOD AQUACULTURE PRACTICES

FOR TILAPIA FARM

National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards

Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives

50 Phaholyothin Road, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900

Telephone (662) 561 2277 Fax (662) 561 3373
www.acfs.go.th

Published in the Royal Gazette Vol. 127 No. 150D Special,

Dated 28 December B.E. 2553 (2010)
 Technical Committee on the Elaboration of Thai Agricultural Standard for
Good Aquaculture Practices for Freshwater Aquatic Animal

1. Ms. Somsri Ngamvongchon Chairperson

Senior Expert on Freshwater Aquatic Animal Aquaculture
Department of Fisheries
2. Mr. Thavee Viputhanumas Member
Department of Fisheries
3. Mrs. Usa Bamrungbhuet Member
National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards
4. Mr. Sonthipan Pasukdee Member
Inland Fisheries Research and Development Bureau,
Department of Fisheries
5. Associate Professor Nontawit Areechon Member
Aquaculture Division, Faculty of Fisheries, Kasetsart University

6. Associate Professor Nantarika Chansur Member

Aquatic Animal Disease Research Center, Faculty of Veterinary
Science, Chulalongkorn University
7. Mr. Thitiwat Leepaisomboon Member
Board of Trade of Thailand
8. Mr. Boonpeng Santiwattanatam Member
Food Processing Industry Club, The Federation of Thai Industries
9. Mr. Lomdech Chanthbutr Member
Thai Aquaculture Association
10. Mr. Wanchai Mayurasakorn Member
Thai Fish Culture Farmers Association
11. Ms. Benjaporn Suwannarak Member
Thai Frozen Foods Association
12. Mrs. Mali Boonyaratpalin Member

13. Mr. Wattana Leelapat Member

14. Mr. Manat Larpphon Member

Office of Commodity and System Standards, and Secretary
National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards
Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has notified the Thai Agricultural Standard: Good
Aquaculture Practices for Tilapia Farm (TAS.7405-2004). Therefore, in order to improve the
detailed change of the technical information of such standard, the Agricultural Standards
Committee deemed it necessary to revise the existed standard and establish a new version.

The standard is based on the information of the following document:

Thai Agricultural Standard. TAS.7417-2552. Good Aquaculture Practices for Freshwater

Aquatic Animal Farm. Bangkok: National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food
Standards.
 NOTIFICATION OF MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND COOPERATIVES
SUBJECT: THAI AGRICULTURAL STANDARD:
GOOD AQUACULTURE PRACTICES FOR TILAPIA FARM
UNDER THE AGRICULTURAL STANDARDS ACT B.E. 2551 (2008)
------------------------------------

Whereas the Agricultural Standards Committee deems it necessary to establish

an agricultural standard on Good Aquaculture Practices for Tilapia Farm as a voluntary standard
in accordance with the Agricultural Standards Act B.E. 2551 (2008) to promote such agricultural
commodity to meet its quality standard and safety.

By virtue of Section 5, Section 15 and Section 16 of the Agricultural Standards

Act B.E. 2551 (2008), the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives hereby issues this
Notification on Establishment of Thai Agricultural Standard: Good Aquaculture Practices for
Tilapia Farm as follows:

1. The Notification of the National Committee on Agricultural Commodity and

Food Standards entitled the establishment of Thai Agricultural Commodity and Food
Standard: Good Aquaculture Practices for Tilapia Farm dated 22 October B.E. 2547 (2004) is
repealed.

2. The Thai Agricultural Standard on Good Aquaculture Practices for Tilapia

Farm (TAS 7405-2010) is established as voluntary standard, details of which are attached
herewith.

Notified on 7 October B.E. 2553 (2010)

(Mr.Theera Wongsamut)
Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives
 THAI AGRICULTURAL STANDARD

GOOD AQUACULTURE PRACTICES FOR TILAPIA FARM

1. Scope
This Thai Agricultural Standard applies to good aquaculture practices (GAP) for tilapia farm
including harvesting and post - harvest handling in order to produce products of good quality
and safe for consumption. This standard, however, does not cover hatching and nursing.

2. Definitions
For the purpose of this standard:
2.1 Tilapia means fish that is classified in the genus of Oreochromis.
2.2 Veterinary drug means any substance applied or administered to any food-producing
animal, whether used for therapeutic, prophylactic, or diagnostic purposes or for modification
of physiological functions or behaviour.
2.3 Residues of veterinary drugs mean the veterinary drugs as in 2.2 including parent drugs,
metabolites and associated impurities in the animal tissue, produce and products of animal of
which are used for human food.

3. REQUIREMENTS AND INSPECTION METHODS

Good Aquaculture Practices for tilapia are as Table 1.
 Table 1 Requirements and Inspection Methods
(Section 3)

Compliance
Items Requirements Inspections Methods
levels
1. Site
1.1 Pond
1.1 .1 Farm shall be 1.1.1 Check the farm Major
registered with the registration document. Requirement
Department of Fisheries.

1.1.2 Availability of good 1.1.2.1 Visual inspection Minor

water quality. of water storage that use Requirement
for tilapia culture.
1.1.2.2 Visual inspection
of mitigation measure or
treating in case of poor
water quality.

1.1.3 Farm shall be kept 1.1.3.1 Visual inspection Minor

distance from polluted for the risk of pollution. Requirement
sources. 1.1.3.2 Visual inspection
of mitigation measure or
improving in case of
having the risk.

1.1.4 Availability of good 1.1.4 Visual inspection of Minor

water inlet and outlet the system of water inlet Requirement
system. and outlet and the design
of water supply among
ponds to prevent cross
contamination.

1.1.5 Conveniently access 1.1.5 Visual inspection. Minor

from both outside and Requirement
inside the farm to
facilitate farm operation
and transportation of the
produce.

1.1.6 Essential basic 1.1.6 Visual inspection. Minor

infrastructure shall be Requirement
available.

1.2 Cage 1.2.1 Farm shall be 1.2.1 Check the farm Major
registered with the registration document. Requirement
Department of Fisheries.

Items Requirements
1.2.2 Permit shall be
granted for cage farming
and cage shall be set in
the permitted area.
1.2.3 Cage shall be
located in the area of
which water quality
suitable for tilapia culture.
1.2.4 Cage shall be kept
distance to polluted
sources.
1.2.5 Conveniently access
from both outside and
inside the farm to
facilitate farm operation
and transportation of the
produce.
1.2.6 Essential basic
infrastructure shall be
available.
1.2.7 Cage shall be
located in the area where
suitable for fish farming
and do not affect to
ecology and environment.
2. General
management
2.1 Pond 2.1.1 Operate according to
the Department of Fisheries
Manual on Tilapia Farm or
other practices according to
the technical
recommendations.
Compliance
Inspections Methods
levels
1.2.2 Check the Minor
permission document. Requirement
1.2.3.1 Visual inspection Minor
of water resources. Requirement
1.2.3.2 Check water
quality or record of water
analysis.
1.2.4.1 Visual inspection Minor
of farm surrounding. Requirement
1.2.4.2 Visual inspection
of mitigation measure or
improving in case of
having the risk.
1.2.5 Visual inspection. Minor
Requirement
1.2.6 Visual inspection. Minor
Requirement
1.2.7 Visual inspection of Minor
the cage location. Requirement
2.1.1.1 Questionnaire Minor
survey or interview to Requirement
farmers.
2.1.1.2 Check the manual
and manual application.
 Compliance
Items Requirements Inspections Methods
levels
2.1.2 Availability of farm 2.1.2 Check map and Minor
location and layout. layout. Requirement

2.1.3 Availability of 2.1.3.1 Check the water Minor

adequate quality and
quantity of water or be
able to improve for tilapia
culture.
quality and quantity. Requirement
2.1.3.2 Check the record
of water quality or
sampling water for quality
analysis.

2.1.4 Effluent shall be 2.1.4 Check the result of Major

complied with relevant effluent test. Requirement
laws and regulations.

2.1.4 Attend technical 2.1.4 Check the plan/ Minor

meeting or training evidence of the meeting or Requirement
program on farm training.
management, use of
production inputs,
harvesting, and relevant
laws, and regulations.

2.2 Cage 2.2.1 Operate according to 2.2.1.1 Questionnaire Minor

the Department of
Fisheries Manual on
Tilapia Farm or other
practices according to the
technical
recommendations.
survey or interview to Requirement
farmers.
2.2.1.2 Check the manual
and manual application.

2.2.2 Availability of Cage 2.2.2. Check map and Major

location and layout. layout. Requirement

2.2.3 Surface area of the 2.2.3.1 Visual inspection. Major

site shall not exceed the Requirement
permitted area granted by 2.2.3.2 Inspection of the
the Competent Authority. permitted area.

2.2.4 Attend technical 2.2.4 Check the plan/ Minor

meeting or training evidence of the meeting or Requirement
program on farm training.
management, use of
production inputs,
harvesting, and relevant
laws, and regulations.
 Compliance
Items Requirements Inspections Methods
levels
3. Inputs.
3.1 Fry 3.1.1 Healthy and non- 3.1.1.1 Inspection of fry Major
infectious fry shall be quality. Requirement
used.
3.1.1.2 Check fry quality
guarantee document or fry
quality recording.

3.1.2 Availability of fry 3.1 Check the copy of Fry Major

origin. Movement Document Requirement
(FMD) in case of purchase
from outside.
3.2 Check fry origin
record.

3.2 Feed 3.2.1 Use formulated 3.2.1 Check label of Major

feed, feed supplement and formulated feed, feed Requirement
other ingredients supplement and other
registered with the ingredients.
competent authority (in
case such inputs are
subject to registration)
and valid date of
expiration.

3.2.2 In case the feed is 3.2.2.1 Visual inspection. Major

prepared on the farm, feed 3.2.2.2 Check the test Requirement
ingredients shall be free report.
from veterinary drugs and
legally prohibited
substances.

3.2.3 Feed prepared on 3.2.3 Check the record of Minor

the farm shall meet feed preparation or visual Requirement
hygienic requirements and inspection.
be safe for aquatic
animals and consumers.

3.2.4 Feed prepared on the 3.2.4.1 Inspection of the Minor

farm shall meet nutrient feed ingredients. Requirement
requirements of tilapia. 3.2.4.2 Check the report of
feed quality analysis (if
any).

Items Requirements
3.3 Other inputs. 3.3 Any inputs other than
3.2 shall be free from
contamination according
to national law and
regulations.
3.4 Storage of 3.4 All inputs shall be
inputs. safely and appropriately
stored in good hygienic
condition.
4. Health
management
4.1 Pond 4.1.1 Pond and equipment
shall be properly prepared
to prevent the introduction
of aquatic animal
diseases.
4.1.2 In case where tilapia
shows any abnormal
symptom, management
measure shall be taken
into consideration prior to
applying veterinary drugs
and chemicals.
Preliminary diagnosis
shall be carried out,
including corrective
action and records.
4.1.3 If sick tilapia is
found and veterinary
drugs or chemical
treatment is necessary,
apply only registered
veterinary drugs or
chemicals, and strictly
follow the instruction on
the label.
4.1.4 Prohibited
veterinary drugs and
chemicals shall not be
used (see appendix B).
Compliance
Inspections Methods
levels
3.3.1 Check the test report. Major
Requirement
3.3.2 Random sampling
for analysis.
3.4 Visual inspection of Minor
the input storage. Requirement
4.1.1.1 Visual inspection. Minor
Requirement
4.1.1.2 Check the record
of the pond and equipment
preparation.
4.1.2.1 Check the record Minor
of corrective actions in Requirement
case where tilapia shows
any abnormal symptom.
4.1.2.2 Check the record
of farming activity on
daily basis.
4.1.3 Check the record of Major
the use of veterinary drugs Requirement
and chemicals including
withdrawal period.
4.1.4.1 Visual inspection. Major
Requirement
4.1.4.2 Check the
application record of
veterinary drugs and
chemical.

Items Requirements
4.1.5 In case of disease
outbreak, farmer shall
immediately inform the
competent authority and
appropriately manage the
carcass and water
discharge.
4.2 Cage 4.2.1 Cage shall be
properly and
appropriately prepared
and installed to prevent
environmental impact and
disease outbreak.
4.2.2 Cage and equipment
shall be periodically
cleaned throughout the
production process.
4.2.3 The health of tilapia
shall be regularly
monitored and taken care
of.
4.2.4 In case where tilapia
shows any abnormal
symptom, management
measure shall be taken
into consideration prior to
applying veterinary drugs
and chemicals.
Preliminary diagnosis
shall be carried out,
including corrective
action and records.
4.2.5 If sick tilapia is
found and veterinary
drugs or chemical
treatment is necessary,
apply only registered
veterinary drugs or
chemicals, and strictly
follow the instruction on
the label.
Compliance
Inspections Methods
levels
4.1.5.1 Check the record Major
of corrective actions in Requirement
case of disease outbreak.
4.1.5.2 Check the record
of the carcass and water
discharge management.
4.2.1.1 Check the record Minor
of cage preparation and Requirement
installation.
4.2.1.2 Visual inspection
of cage location.
4.2.2 Check the record of Minor
the cage cleaning. Requirement
4.2.3.1 Questionnaire Minor
survey or interview to Requirement
farmers.
4.2.3.2 Check the record
of health management.
4.2.4.1 Check the record Major
of corrective actions in Requirement
case where tilapia shows
any abnormal symptom.
4.2.4.2 Check the record
of farming activity on
daily basis.
Major
4.2.5 Check the record of
Requirement
the use of veterinary drugs
and chemicals including
withdrawal period.
 Compliance
Items Requirements Inspections Methods
levels
4.2.6 Prohibited 4.2.6.1 Visual inspection. Major
veterinary drugs and Requirement
4.2.6.2 Check the
chemicals shall not be application record of
used. veterinary drugs and
chemical.

4.2.7 In case of disease 4.2.7.1 Check the record Major

outbreak, farmer shall of corrective actions in Requirement
immediately inform the case of disease outbreak.
competent authority and 4.2.7.2 Check the record
appropriately manage the of the carcass
carcass and water management.
discharge.

5. Farm
sanitation
5.1 Pond 5.1.1 Household 5.1.1 Visual inspection. Major
discharge shall be Requirement
separated from the culture
pond.

5.1.2 Toilet shall be 5.1.2 Visual inspection. Major

hygienically designed in Requirement
separated area and prevent
possibility of sewage
contamination to culture
pond.

5.1.3 Availability of 5.1.3.1 Visual inspection. Major

sanitary system for waste Requirement
5.1.3.2 Check the record
disposal from the culture of waste disposal
e.g. carcass
management.

5.1.4 Equipment and tools 5.1.4 Visual inspection. Minor

shall be orderly stored, Requirement
clean, in hygienic manner
and proper maintenance
for use.
 Compliance
Items Requirements Inspections Methods
levels
5.1.5 Availability of good 5.1.5 Visual inspection of Minor
management of waste the management of waste Requirement
disposal to prevent fly, disposal.
rodent and cockroach as
well as pet digging

5.1.6 Pet is not allowed in 5.1.6 Visual inspection. Minor

culture pond area. Requirement

5.2 Cage 5.2.1 Toilet shall be 5.2.1 Visual inspection. Major

hygienically designed in Requirement
separated area and prevent
possibility of sewage
contamination to cage
location.
5.2.2 Equipment and tools 5.2.2 Visual inspection. Minor
shall be orderly stored, Requirement
clean, in hygienic manner
and proper maintenance
for use.

5.2.3 No littering of 5.2.3 Visual inspection of Minor

garbage or waste in the the management of waste Requirement
area of cage location. It disposal.
shall be properly
discarded or destroyed.

6. Harvest and
post-harvest
handling

6.1 Availability of 6.1 Check the harvesting Minor

harvesting plan plan document. Requirement

6.2 Availability of 6.2 Check the copy of Major

Movement Document movement document. Requirement
(MD)

6.3 Veterinary drugs or 6.3 Check the test report Major

chemical residues shall of residues of veterinary Requirement
not be found or exceeded drugs and chemicals.
the maximum residue
limits.
 Compliance
Items Requirements Inspections Methods
levels
6.4 Availability of good 6.4 Check the record of Minor
management and hygienic management and Requirement
handlings of aquatic handlings during harvest
animal during harvest and and post-harvest.
post-harvest in order to
obtain good quality and
safe product for
consumers

7. Record 7. Important data shall be 7. Check data recorded. Minor

keeping recorded at all stages of Requirement
production and regularly
updated.

4 Compliance levels and Judgment Criteria

4.1 Compliance level.

In this standard, divided into two levels as following;
4.1.1 “Major requirement” means the mandatory requirement that shall be fully complied
with. In case of non compliance, it will seriously affect the quality of tilapia as well as safety
for consumers. It means that the requirement shall be complied with relevant laws and
regulations as well.
4.1.2 “Minor requirement” means the requirement that shall be mostly complied with. In case
of non compliance, it will affect the health of tilapia or product quality.

4.2 Judgment Criteria

Judgments for inspection decision are as follows:

4.2.1 All of the “major requirement” level shall be complied.

4.2.2 The All of the “minor requirement” level shall be complied not less than 60%. The
improvement up to 80% shall be fulfilled within 2 years.

5. Guidance for tilapia farming

The recommendations on good aquaculture practices for tilapia farm are to provide farmers
with good management practices so as to achieve good quality and safety to consumers. The
details are described in Appendix A.
 Appendix A

Guidance for Tilapia Farming

(Section 5)

Introduction Tilapia Culture can be categorized into two types as follows:

1. Pond Culture

Pond culture can be categorized into three types, as follows:

1.1 “Extensive farming” is mainly intended for household consumption and only surplus fish
are sold. Farmers harvest only large fish for consumption or sale and let small fish to
grow. Thus, male and female fry will be cultured together for natural breeding to
generate a new stock by replacing the harvested fish. Since major feeds are naturally
generated in the culture pond, fish stocking in a pond shall not be too much because the
feeds will not be enough for the fish to grow at normal rate.

1.2 “Semi-intensive farming” is intended for both household consumption and sale. It aims
for a low cost of production. Fertilizers are used to stimulate the natural feeds. Additional
fishmeal is also supplemented. Male fries are only cultured for desirable high yield
production, or both sexes are cultured for continuously breeding and supplying fries for
next crops.

1.3 “Intensive farming” is intended for commercial production aiming at the highest yield
and profit. Thus, only larger male fry will be cultured by using an extreme high fish
stock density. Pellet fishmeal is used to reduce cultural time and obtain consistently large
size of fish. This type requires aeration system, especially in low dissolved oxygen
culture pond.

In order to prevent in-breeding problem in the case that male and female fry are cultured
together, it is therefore recommended to restart with the new fry every 2-year cycle.

2. Cage Culture

Cage culture is an effective way for culturing tilapia if an appropriate stocking density is
cultured under good water supply. Tilapia in cage culture has the better growth rate than
those in culture ponds, no problem on off-flavor taste, and higher price and more market
demands can be obtained when compared to the product from pond culture. In addition, it can
be relatively cost effective because no input in terms of water pumping is required, and it is
much easier in transporting and harvesting process.

However, the threats in the tilapia cage culture include: disease outbreak control and
treatment may be difficult; may have problem with (i) polluted waste water discharged from
industry and households nearby, and (ii) poor water quality after raining caused by sediment
run-off and water quality control may be difficult. Furthermore, fully nutrition feeds are
required for fish cage culture because the fish are unable to get natural feeds.
Guidance for Tilapia Farming, The following factors should be considered.

A.1 Farm-site

A.1.1 Pond Culture

A.1.1.1 In according to the Regulation of Department of Fisheries, farmer should be

registered at local office nearby. Registration will be used as an official document to allow
government authorities recognize the farm-site location, and to further facilitate the process
for any assistance to be provided as appropriate from the government. In the procedure of
registration, farmers have to identify the evidence on the rights to use land, possession, or
legal land rental by law.

A.1.1.2 Farm-site should be located in the area where the supply for the clean source,
suitability and sufficient volume of water can be obtained. Appropriate water quality for
tilapia culture is pH 6.5 to 8.0 with dissolved oxygen not less than 4 mg/l.

A.1.1.3 In order to prevent polluted sources, farm-site should be located away from industrial
factories, waste from communities, etc. However, farmers can collect samples of soil and
water from pond for further examination on the possible impact from such polluted sources.
Moreover, farm-site should not be located in prone area to flooding or tidal in order to avoid
damage and contamination inflowing to the farm. In the case that farm is located in flooding
area, preparation of protection have to be made in advance.

A.1.1.4 The drain system for the pond should be properly designed to prevent contamination
among the ponds inside the farm. In addition, this facilitates better farm management as well
as cost-effectively for energy consumption and expenses for pumping water in/out of the
farm.

A.1.1.5 Farm should be located in the area having good accessibilities (i.e. road, river, cannel,
etc). This will be convenient for receiving seeds, feeds, and other inputs. This is essential for
cost-effectively throughout farm’s production process. By the way, freshness of tilapia can be
maintained when deliver the product to the market and processing plants. It may also be
convenient for visitors/inspectors to visit the farm.

A.1.1.6 Availability of basic utilities is important factors for smooth operation and
management. It includes: electrical supply for water pumping and aeration; diesel engine
water pump; public or underground clean water for farm’s employee consumption.

A.1.2 Cage Culture

A.1.2.1 In according to the Regulation of Department of Fisheries, farmer should be

registered at local office nearby. Registration will be used as an official document to allow
government authorities recognize the cage-site location, and to further facilitate the process
for any assistance to be provided as appropriate from the government. In the procedure of
registration, farmers have to identify the evidence on the rights to use land, possession, or
legal land rental by law.
A.1.2.2 Cage-site must be located in the area where official permission was obtained from
authorized agencies (e.g. Harbor Department, Local Administrative Office, Department of
Fisheries, etc.) in order to ensure good order and regulatory arrangement of cage’s location,
and prevent negative impact to the surrounding environment.

A.1.2.3 Cage-site should be located in the area where the supply of clean source, suitability
and sufficient volume of water can be obtained. Appropriate water quality for tilapia culture
is pH 6.5 to 8.0 with dissolved oxygen not less than 4 mg/l.

A.1.2.4 Cage-site should be located away from pollution source. In case that the cage is
subject to tidal current or located in upstream/downstream area, farmer should ensure that the
cage-site will not be affected by pollution source. For instance: information on pesticide
contamination in the water outflow from the rice farm located at upstream should be
obtained; and Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) analysis is required if there is any factory
located in the upstream.

A.1.2.5 Cage-site should be located in the area of good accessibilities (i.e. road, river, cannel,
etc. This will be convenient for receiving seeds, feeds, and other inputs. This is essential for
cost-effectively throughout farm’s production process. By the way, freshness of tilapia can be
maintained when deliver the product to the market or processing plants. It may also be
convenient for visitors/inspectors to visit the farm.

A.1.2.6 Availability of basic utilities is important factors for smooth operation and
management. It includes: electrical supply for water pumping and aeration; diesel engine
water pump; public or underground clean water for farm’s employee consumption.

A.1.2.7 Not only to aware of the negative impact from the cage to environment, the cage
should also not obstruct the water flow to avoid reduction of the water speed/flow, and not
obstruct boat navigation. In addition, area for the cage culture should be opened-air.
However, it should not have too strong water flow and wind, and better do not surrounding
by too many aquatic plants because this may be cause difficulty of water flowing through the
cage.

A.2 General Management

In general management, planning preparedness for rearing is vital factor for the success. If
farmers can do a better performance on the basis of site season suitability, only few problems
on daily basis can be anticipated. It is recommended as follow:

A.2.1 Grown-out Pond

A.2.1.1 For tilapia culture, farmers should comply with the Tilapia Culture Farm Manual
published by Department of Fisheries, or using the other corresponding technical manual.

A.2.1.2 Pond-site location should be made available for convenient and essential for:
receiving seeds; delivery of inputs, feeds; visit of extension officers, farm inspectors, and
others; and harvesting procedure. In addition, farm layout should also be made for convenient
in managing and planning process of the culture.
A.2.1.3 The following suitable water quality for tilapia culture is recommended:

(1) pH 6.5 to 8.0

(2) Dissolved Oxygen not less than 4 mg/l
(3) NH3-N not exceed 0.02 mgN/l
(4) Alkalinity not less than 100 mg/l

A.2.1.4 The drain from the farm should be treated or passed the quality control standard in
complying with the law as details referred to the Annex 3.

A.2.1.5 For good aquaculture practice in tilapia farming, know-how of farmers and other
workers through their participation to technical meeting or training on farm management, use
of inputs, harvesting, important laws and regulation on the tilapia culture, should be
enhanced.

A.2.2.5 Farm-site including warehouse, cages’ area, and other surrounding areas should be
well managed and maintained in a good order, and be cleaned under hygienic condition.

A.3 Inputs

There are varieties of inputs using for tilapia culture including seeds, feed, supplement,
vitamin, probiotic, veterinary drug, liming, salt, and chemical. The selection of such inputs
depends upon the age/size of the tilapia, stocking density, and tilapia targeted size.
Recommendations on the selection of production materials are:

A.3.1 Seed

A.3.1.1 Select good quality of seed

Quality of tilapia seed is significant variables for the success of the farming. Quality of the
tilapia seed include good external appearing characteristics such as free of deformities, no
injuries at all fins, good shape, bright-eyes and -scales; active swimming. Good quality and
healthy of seed could better adapt to the new environment. In addition, farmers should
carefully check the documents received from the seed supplier before purchasing.
Subsequently, seed quality should be recorded to be useful information for the next crop of
the culture. Moreover, famers should have appropriate seed stocking density. This is because
over-stocking density should be the main cause to strain and resulting to various problems
including easily disease infection, slow growth rate, and etc.

A.3.2 Feeds

A.3.2.1 In case of using feed, supplement, and other feedstuff from factory/distributor, it
must be certified product attached with information on nutrition label, type of production, and
expired date. To ensure good quality of the feed, farmer should cautiously observe the label
to ensure that the feeds are still in good condition, no laceration of the package, not contain
excessive moisture, no moldy, and not expire. Moreover, farmer must also use only official
authorized non-food stuff.
A.3.2.2 In case of farm-made feed, raw materials such as fishmeal, soybean-meal, bran, and
milled rice must be free of veterinary drugs and prohibited stuff in order to prevent the
veterinary drug and chemical residue in the tissue of the tilapia.

A.3.2.3 In addition, fame-made feed should be produced by using clean and hygienic tools.
For instance, keep the tools clean and dry before/after use, properly stored. Furthermore, feed
should be produced under hygienic condition, clean and safe for fish and consumers. For
example, feeds’ material and finished feeds must be stored in the clean container out off the
floor. This is to protect them from germs; residue chemicals; contamination during the
processing; and also can protect access from cockroach, fry, birds, rodents, dogs, etc.

A.3.2.4 Farm-made feed should have sufficient quality based upon nutrients’ requirement
standard for the tilapia culture. Low quality of feed can result in slow growth rate which may
require a longer rearing period, fish under size, and low quality of the tilapia meat.

A.3.3 In case of using other non-food stuff, supplement, bio-microbe, and others relevant
foodstuff; the feed must be free from contamination of veterinary drug and chemical in
complying with the prohibition made by government, e.g. nitrofuran, chlorampherical, and
malachite green.

A.3.4 Storage of the Inputs

The inputs should be properly stored in a good manner under hygienic and safety conditions
in the warehouse away from heat, moisture, light, rain, and strong wind. In addition, the store
should be protected from possible disease that can be transferred from rodents, cockroach,
fly, bird, dog, cat, etc. In addition, the storing position should not be directly touch with the
ground, and should be placed up from the floor approximately 10 cm in order to protect
moisture effect and easily to be moldy. Veterinary drug should be stored in conformation
following the instruction label or described in the attached document. The veterinary drug
that requires prescription should be separately stored away from the other conventional
veterinary drug. And the veterinary drug and chemical should be kept completely in the
closed-system container, away from children and pets, and separated in group by group.

A.4 Tilapia Health Management

Protection is the best option to control and manage health of tilapia. Major important factor in
tilapia culture is management and environment. This is because the improper management
(e.g. too high stoking density; improper management for production process; or culturing site
located in vulnerable environment such as climate fluctuation, polluted water sources,
accumulation of uneaten food) could lead to stress and disease of the tilapia. The use of
veterinary drugs and chemicals should be the last option. This is due to the fact that better
management could bring about good health of the culturing fish. Recommendations for the
tilapia health management are shown in the following:

A.4.1 Pond Culture

A.4.1.1 Proper preparation of the pond and tools is important to protect disease. All tools
should be frequently cleaned because they are used directly with and possibly transfer disease
infection to the fish. For example, unclean food container with remaining feed could cause to
be rotten and become a disease source. In such case, fish could get wound or injured, become
weak and easily be infected.

A.4.1.2 In case of unusual symptom appearance, before using drug or chemical, farmer
should find out the cause of such and response immediately to the case considering the
solutions in according to proper management/improvement of the pond environment. For
example, a lot of fish floating at the water surface in early morning indicate insufficient
dissolved oxygen level in the water for the fish. It is therefore, oxygen increasing machine or
water pump should be used for blowing up the water into the air. In case of having associated
symptom, for instance: water color in the pond turned to very green color, this indicates over
blooming of phytoplankton. Thus, water exchange and reduction of supplements should be
managed. For further appropriate and efficiency analysis of the condition, farmer should
check water quality and carefully observe the unusual symptom as well as record it’s
troubleshooting.

A.4.1.3 In case of fish disease, if necessary, uses only the certified veterinary drug and
chemical, and seriously follows its instruction. Do not use veterinary drug or chemical that
prohibited for fish culture. Drug and chemical should be used under guidance by veterinarian
or fishery officer who has knowledge on aquatic animal disease. Do not use the drug after its
expiry date as labeled. Recording on the use of drugs should be kept for at least two (2) years
for further appropriate disease examination.

A.4.1.4 Prohibition on the use of drugs or chemicals includes: nitrofuran, chloramphenical,

and malachite green, etc. (see also Annex B)

A.4.1.5 Examination for the cause of fish dead and its diagnosis should be conducted
immediately. Disease outbreak must be informed to the responsible authority. Farmer must
have appropriate method for animal carcass disposal (e.g. burying, bury together with anti-
infection or liming, etc.). The outflow of water from the disease infected pond must be
correctly treated before draining.

A.4.2 Cage Culture

A.4.2.1 For tilapia cage culture, the cage preparation before culture is very important. In
order to enhance water circulation of the cage, particles that blocking the messes of cage
should be cleaned. If the cage has been used when aquatic animals’ disease occurred, the
cage should be disinfected by using chorine or potassium permanganate before any reuse.
Site setting of the cage should also another factor when considering the possible effect to the
environment, and farmer should aware of accumulating of residue feeds in the surrounding
area of the cage.

A.4.2.2 For fish cage culture, cage and tools should be regularly cleaned throughout the
whole process. Cage cleaning will allow better water in- and outflow the cage at all time by
replacing the waste with more clean water mass for improvement of water quality inside the
cage. Under good water circulation, fish can also swim at all time and stimulate its growth
rate.
A.4.2.3 Conduct regular health checking of tilapia as well as to randomly sampling fish from
time to time or by observation of their floating behavior at the water surface, nervous
symptom appearance, and aware water quality lower than suitable level, etc. Diagnosis for
each health problem should be conducted appropriately prior to disease outbreak.

A.4.2.4 In case of unusual symptom appearance, before using drug or chemical, farmer
should find out the cause of such and response immediately to the case considering the
solutions in according to proper management/improvement of the cage environment. For
example, water quality check should be conducted during the period when a lot of aquatic
animals floating at water surface, and checking out the daily record within one (1) week
backward in order to analyze the cause of problem. At the same time, case of unusual
symptom and its troubleshooting should be recorded. In case of low level of dissolved
oxygen, electrical water pump could be used for blowing up the water into the air. Cage
cleaning and reduction of the accumulated feeds should also be considered for this case.

A.4.2.5 In case of disease and it is necessary to use veterinary drug or chemical, farmer
should use only certified veterinary drug or chemical in accordance with its instruction –
particularly restriction period of using drug and chemical must be followed. Do not use of
prohibited veterinary drug or chemical. Drug and chemical should be used under guidance by
veterinarian or fishery officer who has knowledge in aquatic animal disease. Do not use the
drug after expiry date as labeled, and record on the use of drugs should be kept for at least
two (2) years.
A.4.2.6 Prohibition on the use of drugs or chemicals includes: nitrofuran, chloramphenical,
and malachite green, etc.
A.4.2.7 Examination of the cause of fish dead and its diagnosis should be conducted
immediately. Transfer the dead aquatic animals, if necessary, should be very careful and
gently. Disease outbreak must be informed to the responsible authority as well as conduct
appropriate the carcass disposal (e.g. burning, bury together with anti-infection or liming,
etc.).

A.5 Farm Sanitary

Tilapia pond and cage culture should have good management including farm sanitary as it is
very important factor for keeping good quality of tilapia. Daily supervision of farm sanitary
could facilitate farmer in setting up farm standard as recommended in the following:
A.5.1 Grow-out Pond
A.5.1.1 Drain from household and farm system should be separated in order to ensure the
pollution water will not be contaminated to the water system of the farm, or it is not inflow to
the system. For example, household outflow should not be drained to the same channel with
the inflow of farm water system or reservoir.
A.5.1.2 Lavatory should be completely separated from the farm area, and waste
control/management system considering sanitary and hygienic conditions should be made to
ensure that there is no leaking of waste water into the farm system. Contamination of bacteria
is the major cause of alimentary canal disease that should be carefully monitored by
collecting water sample for coliform bacteria analysis. An immediate response to such
problem should be conducted. The probable number per 100 millimeters of coliform bacteria
must not exceed 5,000 MPN/100ml, and ordinary number of coliform bacteria should be
maintained. In case of having over level of coliform bacteria that set by the standard, it
indicates contamination of waste water from lavatory, household, or pets.
A.5.1.3 Proper treatment of aquaculture waste is required: i.e. fish carcass disposal method by
burning or bury with proper treatment that depending on type of waste; veterinary drug and
chemical container management, etc.
A.5.1.4 Arrangement of tools in the farm should be stored in a good order and clean under
hygienic condition, well maintain, and ready to use. Workers’ housing, office, feed store,
warehouse, feed preparation area, and buildings should always keep clean and well
maintained.
A.5.1.5 Good management system for garbage including its routine collection and disposal is
required. Trash bin should be covered at all time in order to prevent fry, rodents, cockroach,
and pets. Garbage will be correctly eradicated in proper place.
A.5.1.6 Do not allow other animals (e.g. duck, chicken, dog, etc.) into the pond area. In case
for asset/housing security, dogs should be controlled in the certain area.

A.5.2 Cage Culture

A.5.2.1 Lavatory should be completely separated from the cage area. Waste management
should consider sanitary condition to ensure that the waste will not leak/contaminate to/with
cultural system. In case that lavatory is located on land, its drains should not be
outflow/leaking into the cage.
A.5.2.2 Arrangement of the tools in the farm should be stored in a good order and clean under
hygienic condition, well maintenance, and ready to use. Workers’ housing, office, feed store,
warehouse, feed preparation area, and building should keep always clean and well
maintained.
A.5.2.3 Trash should not be discarded into the cage. Trash collection area should be properly
regulated and well managed. Trash bin should be covered at all time in order to prevent fry,
rodents, cockroach, and pets. Garbage will be properly eradicated in proper place.

A.6 Harvest and Post-harvest Practices

Harvest is the final step in the aquaculture which is vital for maintaining quality of the
products. As the fish products will be sold for human consumption, farmer shall therefore pay
attention to the following recommendations:

A.6.1 Farmer shall have a good harvest plan and rapid distribution emphasizing on freshness
of the product and harvest of healthy fish products in order to keep premium quality. The
good plan is also to avoid contamination in aquatic product during the post-harvest.

A.6.2 The Movement Document (MD) issued by Department of Fisheries or equivalent

authorized agency shall be made available to provide consumers or relevant stakeholders on
its background information on source of fish products for further consumption.
A.6.3 During the process of tilapia grow-out period in the pond or cage, tissue sample of the
fish product shall be randomly checked at authorized laboratory or well recognized institute
accredited by international standard organization at least once a year. The analyses are for the
veterinary drugs and chemicals which are allowed and prohibited for use according to the
official notification as well as bacteria causing the gastrointestinal disease. The prohibited
veterinary drugs and chemicals shall not be found. The allowed veterinary drugs and
chemicals and bacteria causing the gastrointestinal disease shall not exceed the maximum
limits specified by the standard.
A.6.4 For good quality and safety of fish products, guidelines for management method and
maintenance during harvest and post-harvest process shall be as follows:
A.6.4.1 In case of that tilapia meat may have problem with muddy taste due to the
accumulated consumption of blue-green algae in the pond. Recommendation for solving this
problem are as follows:
A.6.4.1.1 In order to reduce the blue-green algae in the water, compost fertilizer shall not be
used at least 2 months prior to the harvest; additional feed or supplementary feed shall be
provided, together with water exchange. However, the caution shall be emphasized on over-
feeding of supplementary feed because accumulated feed is a source of blue-green algae
blooming.
A.6.4.1.2 Muddy taste in the meat shall be determined by tasting the steamed fish sample
without seasoning. If the meat does not contain muddy taste, the product can be sold. In case
of muddy taste in the meat is found, water exchange is needed and microorganism treatment
or liming shall be used for reducing the blue-green algae.
A.6.4.2 Prior to selling product, feeding shall be stopped one day before harvest for self
adjustment and defecation of the fish. This way, quality and freshness of the fish product can
be kept during transportation as well as can prolong rotting.
A.6.4.3 The personnel handling and relating to fish aquaculture shall be healthy and has no
infectious disease which are not accepted by the consumers. Worker(s) who has been infected
shall take leave and return to work after recovery.
A.6.4.4 Tools, equipments, and harvesting method should not cause negative effect to the
quality of fish and post-harvest storage as well as cause contamination affecting food safety.
Harvested products shall not be directly contacted on the ground.
A.6.4.5 Equipment used with fish e.g. media immersing and transferring, etc. shall be clean
and made of strong materials withstanding corrosion; and be in good condition and ready for
use. After work, all equipments shall be immediately cleaned and stored so as not to harbour
the microbes.
A.6.4.6 Clean and chemicals-free ices shall be used. Reuse of the ices is not recommended.
A.6.4.7 Vehicle using for transporting the fish shall be designed in order to prevent heat
during transportation. Area for transferring the fish product shall be made of materials easy to
be cleaned, prevention dust, and avoiding moisture losses caused by sunlight and wind.
A.6.4.7.1 In case of transporting dead tilapia, they shall be chilled immediately after harvest
to maintain freshness as much as possible. The use of ground or flake ices is recommended
because smaller size of ice has larger contact surface with the product, thus can chill the
product faster. Water used for cleaning fish shall be clean and not be reused. For best quality,
pack the product in appropriate-size container after putting the ice at the bottom. Then the
product shall be packed in alternate layers with ice to preserve the quality and freshness of
the fish.
A.6.4.7.2 In case of transporting live tilapia, container used during transport shall be designed
for heat protection. Aeration shall be used during the transportation. Area for transporting
fish product shall be made of materials easy to be cleaned and preventing dust. During
transportation, the use of ice is recommended in order to numb the fish and reduce the
damages that may occur. However, the temperature shall not be too low that can cause injury
to the fish. Injured, infected or dead fish shall not be includ in the transportation container.
They shall be separated from the healthy fish and other species during the transportation to
reduce the possibility of contamination and infection.

A.7 Record keeping

To ensure that the tilapia culture management system cab be efficiently implemented and
improved from time to time, it is necessary to have a good data keeping system and to record
every step of the culture process, such as raring management, seed sources, health check,
growth rate, feeding, the use of veterinary drugs and chemicals, purchasing document or
source of production inputs, analysis result of residues from laboratory, Fry Movement
Document (FMD) and/or Movement Document (MD). Farmers can use this information in
reviewing previous farm practices in order to improve efficiency of farming system of the
next crop. It can help solving the problems in farm practice such as disease outbreak. In
addition, farmer shall analyze the record of each batch, and the record shall be kept for at
least 4 years.
 Annex B
Veterinary Drug Residue and Chemicals.

1. The standard for veterinary drug residue in food, the maximum residue limit (MRL) does
not exceed the standard as following;

No Type of veterinary drug Species of Type of Tissue/part MRL (Microgram

residue Animal or Animal Product of substance Per 1
kg. of Animal Part
or Product
1 Oxytetracycline in form of Fish Muscle 200
Oxytetracycline

Source; Notification of Ministry of Public Health (No30) B.E. 2550 (2007) entitled
Veterinary Drug Residue in Food.

2. No chemicals residue in food as following;

(1) Chloramphenical and its salts.
(2) Nitrofurazone and its salts.
(3) Nitrofurantoin and its salts.
(4) Furaltadone and its salts.
(5) Furaltadone and its salts.
(6) Malachite Green and its salts.

Chemical under (1), (2), (3), (4), (5) and (6), therefore, include their metabolites.
Source; Notification of Ministry of Public Health (No.299) entitled Some Chemicals
Residue in Food (No.2).
 Annex C
Standard Criteria for the Effluent from Freshwater Aquatic Animal
Aquaculture Farm

The effluent from freshwater aquatic animal aquaculture farm should be treated to meet the
standard criteria before discharging as following;

C.1 For herbivorus fish aquaculture farm and farm size over 10 rai (1.6 ha).
(1) BOD does not exceed 20 mg/l.
(2) Suspended solid (SS) does not exceed 80 mg/l.

C.2 Carnivorus fish or carnivorus/herbivorus fish aquaculture farm and farm size over 10 rai (1.6 ha).
(1) BOD does not exceed 20 mg/l.
(2) Suspended solid (SS) does not exceed 80 mg/l.
(3) Ammonia-Nitrogen (NH3-N) does not exceed 1.1 mgN/l (milligram nitrogen per litre).
(4) Total Nitrogen does not exceed 4.0 mgN/l (milligram nitrogen per litre).
(5) Total phosphorus does not exceed 0.5 mgP/l (milligram phosporus per litre).
(6) pH 6.5-8.5.

C.3 All freshwater aquaculture farm that saline water or salt substance is added for the purpose
of water salinity adjusted and farm size is less than 10 rai (1.6 ha).
(1) pH 6.5-8.5.
(2) Water Conductivity at water temperature of 25 Celsius does not exceed 0.75 dS/m
(deci Siemens/metre).

C.4 All freshwater aquaculture farm that saline water or salt substance is added for the purpose
of water salinity adjusted and farm size is more than 10 rai (1.6 ha).
(1) BOD does not exceed 20 mg/l.
(2) Suspended solid (SS) does not exceed 80 mg/l.
(3) Ammonia-Nitrogen (NH3-N) does not exceed 1.1 mgN/l (milligram nitrogen per litre).
(4) Total Nitrogen does not exceed 4.0 mgN/l (milligram nitrogen per litre).
(5) Total phosphorus does not exceed 0.5 mgP/l (milligram phosporus per litre).
(6) pH 6.5-8.5.
(7) Water Conductivity at water temperature of 25 celcius does not exceed 0.75 dS/m.

C.5 The mixed aquaculture that is mixed more than one type is required to meet the highest standard.

Source; Notification of Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment entitled specification

of the Effluent Standard from Freshwater Aquatic Animal Aquaculture Farm, Published in
the Royal Gazette 125, Section 21E. Dated January,30 B.E.2551(2008) and Notification of
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment entitled specification the effluent from
freshwater aquatic animal aquaculture is a source of pollutant that needs to control for
discharging to public water and environment, Published in the Royal Gazette 125, Section
21E., Dated January, 30, B.E. 2551 (2008).
 Annex D
Unit and unit symbol

Unit and unit symbol used in this standard and SI unit (International System of Units or
Le Systéme International d’ Unités) that agreed to be used are as follows

Fundamental
Unit Name Unit Symbol
Quantities
milligram/gram mg/g
Concentration
milligram/kilogram mg/kg
๐
Temperature degree Celsius C
National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards
Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives

50 Phaholyothin Road, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900

Telephone (662) 561 2277 Fax (662) 561 3357

www.acfs.go.th