ISO 17273:2024

Overview

ISO 17273:2024 - Waste management and reduction from aquaculture facilities in natural water bodies - provides principles and guidelines for managing solid waste generated by aquaculture in marine and fresh water environments. The standard specifies a system for waste management including waste plans, methods, classification, storage, monitoring and prioritization using the waste hierarchy and circular-economy principles. It explicitly does not apply to land‑based aquaculture or to biological waste.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and definitions: Clear terms for waste, litter, plastics (including biodegradable and microplastics), main components, extra equipment and other equipment.
• Principles: General guidance to avoid littering and pollution, prioritize waste prevention and resource recovery, and adapt measures to local waste systems.
• Waste plan: Requirements to develop, document and implement a waste management plan covering classification, handling, storage and offloading.
• Classification & hazardous waste: Guidance on categorizing solid waste, and managing hazardous items appropriately.
• Operations & maintenance waste: Handling wastes from cleaning/flushing, maintenance of vessels and aquaculture equipment, and managing lost or discarded gear.
• Storage & discharge: Rules for planned storage and controls to avoid discharge into aquatic environments.
• Monitoring & documentation: Ongoing monitoring, geolocation of lost items, recordkeeping and risk assessment to support continuous improvement.
• Circular economy actions: Prioritize reuse, recycling and recovery; avoid actions that reduce waste quality; and integrate local waste‑receiver arrangements.

Practical applications

• Reduce litter and plastic pollution (including macro- and microplastics) from farms, cages, barges and service vessels.
• Minimize environmental impacts on fish, invertebrates, birds and marine mammals by preventing gear loss and uncontrolled discharges.
• Improve resource efficiency through reuse and recycling of equipment and materials.
• Support compliance and stakeholder communication via documented waste plans, monitoring records and risk assessments.
• Facilitate operational decisions during maintenance, equipment replacement and emergency response to minimize waste release.

Who should use this standard

• Aquaculture operators and farm managers working in natural water bodies
• Environmental and compliance officers
• Regulators and permitting authorities
• Consultants, auditors and certification bodies
• Equipment manufacturers and service providers in the aquaculture supply chain
• NGOs and community stakeholders focused on marine pollution reduction

Related standards and references

• ISO 5020:2022 (terminology referenced in the document)
• MARPOL (Appendix V) principles referenced for litter definitions
• Guidance from ISO/TC 234 (Fisheries and aquaculture)

Keywords: ISO 17273:2024, aquaculture waste management, marine aquaculture, waste reduction, circular economy, waste plan, plastic pollution, microplastic, waste hierarchy.