Indicators 4.1.2.1–4.1.2.2

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Indicators 4.1.2.1–4.1.2.2

by Contact on 8 October 2026

Requirement

The UoC shall develop, implement and maintain a site-specific Handling Management Plan (HMP), with the intent of ensuring the good health and welfare of farmed fish. The HMP shall be periodically reviewed and revised as necessary.

The UoC shall ensure that the HMP includes all handling activities carried out on site.

How Do I Interpret This Requirement?

  • The Handling Management Plan (HMP):

    • Aims to support the development and implementation of preventive, rather than remedial, actions that prevent poor fish health and welfare at handling.

      • Examples of handling:

        • Crowding.

        • Grading (active or passive).

        • Sampling.

        • Transportation (including loading, transfer and unloading).

        • Vaccination (by immersion or injection).

        • Application of treatments (therapeutants or physical).

  • Should consider a description of:

    • Processes.

    • A separate process description may be required for outsourced events e.g. transportation up to the point of harvest.

    • Equipment.

    • A description of equipment, and verification if applicable may be required for both UoC, and outsourced events e.g. vaccination equipment.

Evidence of Implementation

  • Confirmation that the HMP includes considerations that allow for performing standardised handling operations, e.g.:

    • Site-specific description of processes and equipment.

    • Documents:

      • Planning of handling events, e.g.:

        • Emails, reports and site ‘whiteboard’ communications.

        • Handling procedures.

        • Monitoring the effectiveness of the HMP.

    • Documents:

    • Handling logs, e.g.:

      • Reports detailing regular observation of fish behaviour, environmental parameters and fish conditions during and after handling procedures, including injuries, mortalities, or deviations from procedures.

      • Records documenting fitness assessment before handling, incidences of disease, and mortalities, with details on potential correlations with handling activities.

    • Handling incidents reports, e.g.:

      • Emails, reports detailing any incidents during handling procedures, including injuries, mortalities, or deviations from procedures.

    • Feedback from staff, e.g.:

      • Emails, anonymous box asking feedback from staff involved in handling procedures regarding their observations and any difficulties encountered.

Auditors Should Confirm

  • The HMP includes a description of the handling processes and equipment and considerations for planning handling events.

  • Employees are familiarised with the HMP by conducting employee interviews and observations.

  • Handling logs are available documenting handling processes, environment, and fish conditions.

  • Existence of handling incidents reports, including feedback from staff and discussions regarding any handling procedure changes.

  • Open communication is encouraged via formal documents and employee interviews and observations.

Useful Resources

1. Alevra, A., Llorente Manzanares, M., Mente, E., Xandri Royo, P.M., (2024) Good husbandry practices for aquaculture. Publications Office of the European Union.

2. APROMAR (2022) A guide on fish welfare in Spanish aquaculture – Volume 1: Concepts and generalities. Spanish Aquaculture Business Association. 36 pp.

3. APROMAR (2024) A guide on fish welfare in Spanish aquaculture- Volume 2: Welfare of European sea bass. Spanish Aquaculture Business Association. 49 pp.

4. APROMAR (2024) A guide on fish welfare in Spanish aquaculture – Volume 3: Welfare of gilthead sea bream. Spanish Aquaculture Business Association. 49 pp.

5. Zaman Sajid,  A., Gamperl, K., Parrish, C.C., et AL., (2024) An aquaculture risk model to understand the causes and consequences of Atlantic Salmon mass mortality events: A review. Reviews In Aquaculture.