Indicator 4.1.1.10

Aims to support the development and implementation of preventive, rather than remedial, actions that ensure good fish health and welfare.

Must be developed by the UoC in collaboration with a veterinarian who approves it. In countries where other professions have comparable rights and duties and are subject to the same authorization and regulatory requirements as veterinarians, they may also approve the HWMP (e.g., aqua medicine biologists in Norway).

Developing standardised health and welfare monitoring protocol

This may involve conducting visual inspections, monitoring Operational Welfare Indicators (OWIs) and performing diagnostic tests for pathogens.

Producing and maintaining detailed records.

Including records of health observations, diagnostic test results, treatments administered, mortalities, and other relevant data.

It is recommended to use a centralised database or electronic system for efficient data management and retrieval.

Implementing an early detection system.

To detect signs of disease outbreaks or abnormal health conditions promptly.

This could include environmental monitoring tools.

Establishing response protocols for responding to disease outbreaks or health emergencies.

Establishing communication channels.

Maintaining a readily accessible notification list.

Determining the objectives and scope of the biosecurity mechanism.

Identifying relevant regulatory requirements.

Gathering information about the site, including an up-to-date layout of buildings and production units identifying the possible movements of animals, animal products, animal waste, water, feed and fomites/vectors.

Identifying potential transmission pathways into, within and from the site.

Carrying out a risk analysis to identify and evaluate disease threats and ensure that the plan addresses them.

This will depend on the objectives of the biosecurity mechanism.

Identifying mitigation measures and assessing their effectiveness and their management requirements.

Establishing emergency procedures in the event of a biosecurity failure.

Defining internal and external communication procedures, roles, and responsibilities.

Creating a monitoring and internal audit schedule.

Carrying out performance evaluations.

Creating the necessary Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to support the implementation of the mitigation measures and the biosecurity mechanism.

Training employees in the different elements of the biosecurity mechanism.

Maintaining a record-keeping system that provides evidence of compliance with the biosecurity mechanism.

Identifying potential predators.

Physical barriers such as nets, fences, or screens to prevent access to fish tanks or ponds.

Scare tactics such as visual deterrents to discourage predators from approaching the facility.

Implementing ongoing monitoring and surveillance.

Regular reviewing and revision.

Adjustments to the measures should be made when the results of monitoring indicate the need to optimise protection for fish and the containment system.

Collaborating with local authorities or local wildlife agencies to address predator issues in the surrounding area.

A periodic review and, if necessary, a revision of the HWMP must be conducted in response to changes in farming activities or external factors or as directed by the veterinarian.

As a minimum, the review should occur annually in cases of production cycles shorter than one year or using continuous stocking/cropping methods, or following each production cycle, in the case of UoCs with production cycles longer than one year or using all-in-all-out stocking/cropping methods.

The UoC should develop feedback mechanisms to inform the review, e.g. proactively seeking feedback from employees and subcontracted personnel, such as the vaccination team, on the operationalisation of the site-specific biosecurity mechanism.

For a single producer overseeing multiple UoCs in a shared waterbody, a unified HWMP that incorporates site-specific details is acceptable; however, for larger companies managing multiple UoCs in one country, while common plans may apply, it is crucial to ensure HWMP adaptation to individual site circumstances, particularly in aspects like biosecurity measures, disease surveillance programs, and monitoring systems.

Site-specific disease monitoring, responses and reporting requirements.

Specific considerations should be given to reporting WOAH-notifiable diseases (see interpretation for Indicator 4.1.1.11).

Familiarised with the HWMP and the feedback mechanisms for its review by conducting employee interviews and observations.

Trained on the site-specific biosecurity mechanism by reviewing employees’ training records, conducting employees’ interviews and observations.