Indicator 4.1.2.6

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Feed Dependent

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Indicator 4.1.2.6

by Contact on 8 October 2026

Requirement

The UoC shall ensure that the HMP includes a fitness assessment of the fish prior to handling activities,7272An exemption applies to handling activities related to health examinations (e.g. health assessment, parasite counting) and in the case of emergencies (e.g. containment of an escape). approved by a registered veterinarian or aquatic animal health professional. For the specific handling activities listed below, the fitness assessment shall be carried out: – within a two-week period prior to transport or treatment that requires handling of the fish, except when the same type of treatment is repeated, in which case the assessment shall be carried out at least once a month after the initial treatment; – within a two-week period prior to net change and passive grading.

How Do I Interpret This Requirement?

  • Fitness assessment may fall into two categories:

    • Single assessment: Performed within a two-week period prior to the handling.

    • Recurring assessment: Performed at least once a month in the case of serial, repeated treatments, e.g.:

    • Handling for administering multiple rounds of treatment to fish populations over a period of time, e.g.:

      • Bacterial infections, such as bacterial gill disease, furunculosis, or red spot diseases.

      • Fungal diseases, such as saprolegniasis.

      • Treatments for parasites control such as formalin treatments, hydrolysers or thermal delousing.

  • A successful fitness for handling record should demonstrate:

    • Fish free of diseases.

    • Minimal morphologic damage.

    • Normal behaviour.

    • Low mortality rate.

    • Usual feeding rates.

    • An example of a fitness for handling assessment record is provided in the Table 9 below.

Table 9: An example of a fitness for handling assessment record with information collated from assessments and routine data collected on the site.

Fitness assessment report

Handling activity to be carried out

Date handling expected to be carried out

Disease status comments

Mortality levels Low Consistent Increasing Other:

Feeding rate Normal Sluggish Very active Other:

Fish behaviour

Comments from last morphological checks

Fitness comments

Date: Approved by:

Position:

  • Handling in case of emergencies are exempt from requiring fish fitness assessments e.g.:

    • Containment of an escape.

    • Imminent risk of predation.

    • It is recommended to have a health representative verify the emergency operations together with written advice to support decision-making when handling is required in an emergency.

Evidence of Implementation

  • HMP includes consideration for fitness assessment prior to handling.

  • Fitness assessment report.

  • Records:

    • Veterinarian or aquatic animal health professional handling approval.

    • Documented reasons for exemptions with written advice.

Auditors Should Confirm

  • Fitness assessments status before handling.

  • Implementation can be confirmed by cross-checking the frequency of fitness assessment and handling records, information from employee interviews and observations.

  • The rationale for any deviation from the frequency of fitness assessment before handling is in accordance with those highlighted by the indicator and respective footnotes.

Useful Resources

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