Indicators 4.2.2.1–4.2.2.2

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System

Water Type

Feed Dependent

Species

Indicators 4.2.2.1–4.2.2.2

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 good health and welfare of farmed crustaceans. 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 crustacean health and welfare at handling.

  • Examples of handling:

    • Crowding.

    • Sampling.

    • Transportation (including loading, transfer and unloading).

    • Should consider a description of:

      • Processes.

      • A separate process description may be required for outsourced events e.g. live transportation of PL to the site.

      • Equipment.

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

Evidence of Implementation

  • HMP includes 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 crustacean behaviour, environmental parameters and crustacean conditions during and post-handling procedures, including injuries, mortalities or deviations from procedures.

  • 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.

      • Encourage open communication.

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 crustacean conditions.

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

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

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