Quality
Quality is the fitness of an item for its intended purpose. For aquaculture, equality also refers to the farm, the inputs and company management in addition to the productís conformity to client and customer requirements
Achieving quality production on a regular sustained basis needs the application of a quality [control] system or scheme. These schemes require the following minimum conditions:
- A definition of the objective of the scheme - a policy committed to quality.
- The definition of standards - for raw materials, production processes and the final product.
- A system that not only defines the process but also continually measures and monitors all aspects of production, from raw materials to final product, against defined standards.
- Thereby absolute product control is achieved and customer assurance is guaranteed.
- Demonstration of the performance of every quality management scheme is necessary through the provision of relevant documentation.
- An example of Product quality
- Harvesting practices and the way that fish are handled immediately thereafter have irreversible consequences on the quality of the product. The body temperature of the fish affects the rate at which chemical and bacterial spoilage occurs and the correct use of ice should be employed at all times. Fish handled badly during slaughter or during transport may result in bruising, poor flesh firmness and texture.
Questions
- Is quality lacking on your farm?
- Ask yourself if each day is a struggle.
- Are objectives sometimes poorly defined?
- Does an operation or product only just conform to the standards defined?
- Is there continual re-working, revision and deviation from the desired situation?
If this is the case, quality management is probably lacking on your farm.
Danger Point
If procedures are not being respected then resources are wasted and additional costs incurred. Costs and their management are therefore an integral part of quality.
Fish that are farmed under the best conditions only to be handled badly or incorrectly post harvest will not produce the required sales value, will lead to market rejection and ultimately to loss in markets.
Training Checklist
Quality Systems
- National or other quality production schemes, specific for a given species under cultivation
- HACCP Systems: design and implementation
- ISO 9000 Quality Management Systems: design and implementation