Indicator 4.1.1.19

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System

Water Type

Feed Dependent

Species

Indicator 4.1.1.19

by Contact on 8 October 2026

Requirement

The UoC shall only stock batches of cleaner fish that have been tested prior to stocking and are free from diseases of regional concern.7171An exemption applies to wild caught species sourced from zones or compartments declared disease free. See COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 2006/88/EC of 24 October 2006 on animal health requirements for aquaculture animals and products thereof, and on the prevention and control of certain diseases in aquatic animals and European Union Reference Laboratory for Fish Diseases: Cleaner fish in aquaculture: Health management and legislative issues.

How Do I Interpret This Requirement?

  • The testing will be determined on where fish are sourced from:

Wild caught:

  • Should be held in a quarantine facility to observe for disease symptoms before stocking.

  • There should be enhanced biosecurity employed during capture and holding phases to minimise pathogen exposure.

  • Are to be caught from aquatic disease-free zones.

  • Note: Since lumpfish and wrasse species are not listed as susceptible species or vector species in accordance with Part II of Annex IV of the Council Directive 2006/88/EC, these species can be traded between aquaculture sites in Europe, including those in Member states, zones or compartments declared disease-free, and are only subject to notification under the Traces system. Therefore, these species can be freely traded between intra-community and third country without any certification declaring VHS freedom.

Farmed:

  • Testing will be relevant to:

    • The species.

    • The production system.

    • The scale of production.

    • The local regulations.

    • For example- viral haemorrhagic septicaemia in lumpfish and wrasse.

  • Testing might consist of:

    • Clinical examination of the fish.

    • Laboratory tests:

      • Bacteriology.

      • Molecular biology (e.g. PCR).

      • Histopathology.

      • Virology (e.g. cell culture).

  • The designated veterinarian or aquatic animal health professional should determine:

    • The diseases to include in the testing, based on local regulations, scientific literature and/or publicly available.

    • The sample size, based on local regulations and/or technical judgement.

    • Compulsory governmental testing programme results are acceptable for demonstrating conformance with this requirement.

Evidence of Implementation

  • List of relevant diseases for the species in the country.

  • For wild caught cleaner fish, quarantine information and report from designated veterinarian or aquatic animal health professional.

  • For farmed cleaner fish, testing results written report or document that includes as a minimum:

    • The batch of fish being tested.

    • The date of the test.

    • The pathogen tested.

    • The results of the test.

  • Records:

    • Purchase.

    • Transportation.

    • Delivery.

    • Stocking.

Auditors Should Confirm

  • That every batch of wild caught cleaner fish has a record of quarantine and assessment.

  • The record of capture of the wild caught cleaner fish including disease free status.

  • That every batch of farmed cleaner fish has been tested by cross-checking the list of relevant diseases for the species in the country with the testing result’s written report or document and records.

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