Indicator 2.4.9

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Indicator 2.4.9

by Contact on 8 October 2026

Requirement

Indicator applicability: species with an EICAT Category MO The UoC shall not exceed one Mass Escape Event in a six-year period, defined as: a. marine salmonids: >5000 individuals b. other fish species: >6% Total Escape Count If a mass escape event occurs more than once in a six-year period, the UoC shall, by the next working day: c. submit a formal notification to the CAB for cancellation of certification; and d. notify ASC of the mass escape event, according to ASC data submission procedures.

How Do I Interpret This Requirement?

  • [Note]: Indicator 2.4.9 only applies for species/regions that are classified as ‘Category Moderate (MO)’ in the EICAT Species Factsheet.

  • This Indicator requires a strict limit on mass escape events over a six-year period to ensure that large-scale fish escapes are rare and properly managed. It also requires certification cancellation if the limit is exceeded.

  • An event counts as a ‘mass escape’ if the thresholds are exceeded, regardless of cause (e.g. storm damage, net failure, human error). The thresholds are:

    • For marine salmonids: more than 5,000 individuals escaping at once. The formula for calculation can be found in Appendix 6.1.

    • For other fish species: More than 6% of the stocked population escaping at once. The formula for calculation can be found in Appendix 6.1.

    • The UoC is allowed only one mass escape event in a rolling six-year period. If a second mass escape event occurs within six years, the UoC must notify the CAB the next working day and request cancellation of certification.

    • The UoC should have a system, or method, to detect and document mass escape events, including the identification of root cause(s) and determination of corrective action(s) to prevent re-occurrence.

Evidence of Implementation

  • The UoC has a register of known escapes in which exceedance of the set limit is monitored.

Auditors Should Confirm

  • Records of mass escape events are maintained.

  • Escape limits remain below the set threshold and that calculations are made correctly.