COASTAL AQUACULTURE AUTHORITY
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)
1. Role of CAA ?
The Authority is mandated to regulate activities relating to Coastal Aquaculture in order to ensure long-term development without causing harm to the coastal ecosystem and ecology.
2. What is the function of CAA ?
The Authority is empowered to register coastal aquaculture farms, make regulations for the construction and operation of aquaculture farms in coastal areas, as well as to monitor such farms to determine their adherence to environmental impact guidelines, compliance of registration as per Rules, take action for discontinuation of coastal aquaculture farms that are not in accordance with guidelines laid down by the CAA.
3. How to register a coastal aquaculture farm ?
Application for registration of farm in prescribed form with requisite documents and fee for registration is to be submitted to the District Level committee in the District Fisheries Office of the concerned State Government. Link to Application for Registration of Coastal Aquaculture Farm (http://caa.gov.in/uploaded/doc/form-Inew.pdf)
4. What are the documents required for registration of coastal aquaculture farms?
 Land documents of the site. (If in local language, needs to be translated in English version and certified by a Notary Public) |
| Approval for construction from competent local body. |
| Field Map (FM) Sketch of the site. |
| Layout of the farm/Production systems along with Effluent Treatment System (ETS), if applicable. |
| Environment Impact Assessment (EIA), Environment Monitoring and Management Planning (EMMP), if applicable. |
5. When and how to Renew the Registration of coastal aquaculture farm?
Renewal of registration of a coastal aquaculture farm has to be made before two months of the expiry of extant registration with the Authority. Application for renewal of registration shall be submitted to the District level committee. Please find the link to Application for Renewal of Registration by Coastal Aquaculture for undertaking Coastal aquaculture - FORM III at ( http://www.caa.gov.in/uploaded/doc/form-III.pdf).
6. What are the areas that come under the purview of CAA?
Coastal Areas under purview of CAA. A coastal area means, an area declared as the Coastal Regulation Zone, in the notification of the Government of India, the Ministry of Environment and Forests, No. S. O. 114(E), dated the 19th February, 1991 and includes such other area as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify from time to time. Area of land within a distance of two kilometres from the High Tide Line (HTL) of seas, rivers, creeks and backwaters is covered under the purview of CAA. 1. The delineating boundaries along rivers, creeks and backwaters up to which distance the tidal effects are experienced and where salinity concentration is not less than 5 parts per thousand (ppt). The salinity measurements as made out during the driest period of the year. 2. In the case of ecologically fragile areas (such as Chilka Lake and Pulicat Lake) the coastal area shall extend up to a distance of two kms. from the boundary of the lakes. Ps: no coastal aquaculture can be carried on within two hundred metres from HTL.
7. Does CAA provide any loans/subsidies for coastal aquaculture farming?
Renewal of registration of a coastal aquaculture farm has to be made before two months of the expiry of extant registration with the Authority. Application for renewal of registration shall be submitted to the District level committee. Please find the link to Application for Renewal of Registration by Coastal Aquaculture for undertaking Coastal aquaculture - FORM III at ( http://www.caa.gov.in/uploaded/doc/form-III.pdf).
8. What is the fee to be paid for Registration of Coastal aquaculture farms?
| (1) | (2) |
| 1. Up to 5.0 hectare (ha) water spread area | Rs. 200/- per ha (or fraction of a ha), subject to a minimum of Rs. 500/-. |
| 2. From 5.1 to 10 ha water spread area | Rs. 1000/- plus Rs. 500/- per ha (or fraction of a ha) in excess of 5 ha. |
| 3. From 10.1 ha water spread area and above | Rs. 3500/- plus Rs. 1000/- per ha (or fraction and above of a ha) in excess of 10 ha. |
9. At present I am doing P monodon farming. I want to start L.vannamei farming , am i needed to register separately for that?
Yes. Those who are already registered, shall submit fresh application for permission for farming L. vannamei. (those not registered shall also seek permission similarly). The team authorized by CAA shall conduct an inspection of the farm to study the suitability of the facility for L.vannamei farming and based on the findings CAA shall take a final decision (vide G.S.R. 280(E) dated 23.03.2012).
10. Can L.vannamei be farmed along with other indigenous species?
No. Farms approved for L. vannamei culture are not permitted for simultaneous farming of any other crustacean species in the same farm.
11. What is the permitted stocking density for culture of L. vannamei?
Stocking densities should not exceed 60 no./ square metre.
12. Are there any specific norms for L.vannamei seed purchase?
Yes.Tested and certified seed can be procured only from hatcheries authorised for import of the L. vannamei broodstock and/or production of L.vannamei seed (including Nauplii rearing hatcheries).
13. Should a farmer keep record of the farm activities?
Yes.(a) Detailed records of the name and address of the hatchery from where seed is procured, the quantity produced and validity of the registration of the hatchery are to be maintained. (b) the quantity of the shrimp produced, sold and complete details of the processor to whom sale is made are to reported to the CAA on quarterly basis as per format prescribe (Form V)
14. If there is a disease outbreak, can the farms let out the water to the drainage?
In case of outbreak of disease, distress harvesting is permitted through netting only and such water discharge should be chlorinated and then de-chlorinated before release into drainage system. The waste water should be retained in the Effluent Treatment System (ETS) for a minimum period of two days.
15. What is the fee for L. vannamei farm registration?
The prescribed fees is Rs 500/ hectare WSA, for CAA registered farmers who have permission for any other species. In the case of new farm registration (first time), they should follow the same fee structure as for other indigenous species.
16. Is it necessary for all farms to carry out Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for CAA registration?
No. For all farms less than 10 ha, EIA is not mandatory. For farms above 10 ha and upto 40 ha, statement on EIA has to be given along with the registration form. For all farms above 40 ha, EIA should be made at the planning stage itself (ie, the feasibility has to be studied before making an application to CAA)
17. Is Environment Monitoring and Management Plan (EMMP) required for all farms.
No. EMMP is essential for all farms with 40 ha or more water area. However farms with water area above 10 ha and less than 40 ha should also provide information on EMMP.
18. What are the aspects to be covered under EMMP
EMMP referred to in Q. 17 above, shall cover the following: - Impact on the watercourses in the vicinity - Impact on ground water quality - Impact on drinking water sources - Impact on agricultural activity - Impact on soild and soil salinisation - Wastewater treatment - Green belt development ( as per specifications of the local authorities) {All farms of 10 ha or more, but less that 40 ha shall furnish detailed information on the aforesaid aspects}
19. Should farmers starting Biofloc units register with CAA?
No.
20. Should farms operated by R& D institutions be also registered?
Yes.
FAQs on inputs used in aquaculture
1. Which all inputs compliance guidelines exist ?
CAA is mandated to fix standards for all Coastal aquaculture inputs, viz. seed, feed, growth supplements, chemicals/medicines used in the maintenance of the water bodies and the organisms reared /other aquatic life.
2. Which are the antibiotics and other pharmacologically active substance banned for use in shrimp aquaculture
| Twenty antibiotics/pharmacologically active substance are presently banned for use in shrimp culture. (http://caa.gov.in/uploaded/doc/Pharmacologically.pdf) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| List of Antibiotics and other pharmacologically active substances banned for using in shrimp aquaculture | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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3. Does CAA do surveillance on antibiotics use/residue in coastal aquaculture units?
Yes, CAA joins the National Residue Control Program (NRCP) team and samples are taken from hatcheries and farm for checking antibiotic content in the animals.
4. What is the procedure for getting Certificate of Compliance to Antibiotic free inputs?
| Since 2016 CAA has been issuing ‘Certificate of Compliance to Antibiotic free Aquaculture inputs’; guidelines are given in the website (www.caa.gov.in). A fee of Rs.10,000/- is to be deposited with each application submitted to CAA. |
| The validity of the certificate issued is for five years, unless otherwise the hatchery/farm is found to be defaulting on periodic testing on inspections by NRCP/CAA or any other Government authorised agency. |
| All labelling standards laid down in the guidelines have to complied by the manufacturer/importer. |
5. What are the documents required for seeking such certification?
| Application in prescribed format (available at www.caa.gov.in) , antibiotic test report as prescribed, retention sample of requisite size, declaration for authorising inspection/collect samples, along with other documents as may be sought for separately, with the application fees of Rs. 10,000/- |
6. Is there a list of products that are exempt from from antibiotic-free test report
Yes, these are available in the guidelines
