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Indicator 2.4.17

Requirement

The UoC shall communicate each escape incident to the local fishery trust(s).

How Do I Interpret This Requirement?

  • This indicator requires the UoC to notify local fishery trusts whenever an escape incident occurs to ensure transparency, facilitate environmental monitoring and support mitigation efforts.

  • For each escape incident, the UoC must report key details such as:

    • Date and time of the escape.

    • Estimated number of escaped fish.

    • Species involved.

    • The UoC should identify the relevant local fishery trust(s) and establish clear communication channels. Fishery trusts are typically regional organisations responsible for managing wild fish populations and aquatic ecosystems. They may include government agencies, conservation groups or local fisheries management bodies.

Evidence of Implementation

  • In case of escapes, the UoC shall maintain records of communications with fishery trusts (emails, reports or acknowledgments).

Auditors Should Confirm

  • Verify that, in case of escapes, the UoC has communicated each escape incident to the fishery trusts.

Indicator 2.4.16

Requirement

The UoC shall only stock smolts produced in cage culture if the supplier operates in a region where native salmonids of the same species are present.

How Do I Interpret This Requirement?

  • n/a

Evidence of Implementation

  • n/a

n/a

  • n/a

Indicator 2.4.15

Requirement

Indicator applicability: tilapia with an EICAT Category MO or MR/MV The UoC shall use all-male stock.

How Do I Interpret This Requirement?

  • This Indicator requires that the UoC only stocks tilapia that is ‘all-male’ if the EICAT Category is set at Moderate (MO), Major (MR) or Massive (MV).

Evidence of Implementation

  • Documents demonstrating that the UoC is aware of the EICAT Category.

  • If the EICAT Category is set at Moderate (MO), Major (MR) or Massive (MV) documents demonstrate that the stocked tilapia is ‘all-male’.

Auditors Should Confirm

  • The correct EICAT categorisation is applied.

  • If the EICAT Category is set at Moderate (MO), Major (MR) or Massive (MV), documents have been presented to demonstrate all stocked tilapia are ‘all-male’.

Indicator 2.4.14

Requirement

Indicator applicability: fish species with an EICAT Category MO or MR/MV The UoC shall count fish with a minimum of 98% accuracy.

How Do I Interpret This Requirement?

  • This Indicator requires the UoC to ensure that fish counting procedures achieve a minimum accuracy of 98%, meaning that the error margin must not exceed 2% and applies to both manual and automated counting methods.

  • The total number of fish at key stages of production (e.g. stocking and harvesting) needs to be counted.

  • The actual count should be within 2% of the true number (e.g. if 100,000 fish are stocked, the count must be between 98,000 and 102,000).

  • Acceptable counting methods include e.g.:

    • Automated systems: optical counters, AI-based image recognition or volumetric counting.

    • Manual counting: hand counting, sample-based extrapolation or visual verification.

Evidence of Implementation

  • The UoC shall demonstrate that fish are counted at key stages of production (e.g. stocking and harvesting) using a method that achieves 98% accuracy.

  • If automated systems are used, ensure they are regularly calibrated.

  • Documentation of counting procedures, accuracy checks and error rates.

Auditors Should Confirm

  • Results of fish counts at key stages of production have been presented.

  • That calibration of the counting method is conducted.

  • Documents are maintained to record counting procedures, accuracy checks and error rates.

Indicator 2.4.13

Requirement

Indicator applicability: fish species with an EICAT Category MR/MV The UoC shall implement appropriate mitigation measures according to the contextualisation of the EICAT category, following the method outlined in Appendix 6 (6.2).

How Do I Interpret This Requirement?

  • [Note]: Indicator 2.4.9 only applies for species/regions that are classified as ‘Category Major/Massive (MR/MV)’ in the EICAT Species Factsheet.

  • This Indicator requires that the UoC implements suitable actions to minimise the potential harm to biodiversity by a species, depending on its context as determined in Appendix 6 (following the decision-tree in this Appendix).

  • For situations in which either the species, the production region or the culture system results in a low likelihood of contributing to biodiversity harm, the UoC is not required to implement actions.

  • For situations in which either the species, the production region or the culture system contributes to biodiversity harm, the UoC is required to implement actions that reduce this risk. This could mean, e.g.:

    • Installation of net pens as per technical standards in order to further reduce the likelihood of escapes occurring.

    • Installation of additional screens or barriers in pond/tank culture to further reduce the likelihood of escapes occurring.

Evidence of Implementation

  • Documents demonstrating to what extent the decision tree in Appendix 6 is applicable, and evidence of a reduction in the harm category (where relevant).

  • In cases where a reduction in the harm category is not possible, the UoC should demonstrate which additional measures have been taken, including the intended outcome of these measures.

Auditors Should Confirm

  • The outcome of the decision-tree results in Appendix 6.

  • In cases where a reduction in the harm category is not possible, confirmation that additional measures have been taken, including the intended outcome of these measures.

Indicator 2.4.12

Requirement

Indicator applicability: fish species with an EICAT Category MR/MV The UoC shall not have any mass escape events. If a mass escape event occurs, the UoC shall, by the next working day: a. submit a formal notification to the CAB for cancellation of certification; and b. notify ASC of the mass escape event, according to ASC data submission procedures.

How Do I Interpret This Requirement?

  • [Note]: Indicator 2.4.12 only applies for species/regions that are classified as ‘Category Major/Massive (MR/MV)’ in the EICAT Species Factsheet.

  • This indicator requires a zero limit on mass escape. It also requires certification cancellation if the limit is exceeded.

  • An event counts as a ‘mass escape’ if the thresholds are exceeded, regardless of cause (e.g. storm damage, net failure, human error). The thresholds are:

    • For marine salmonids: more than 5,000 individuals escaping at once. The formula for calculation can be found in Appendix 6 (6.1).

    • For other fish species: More than 6% of the stocked population escaping at once. The formula for calculation can be found in Appendix 6 (6.1).

    • If a mass escape event occurs, the UoC must notify the CAB the next working day and request cancellation of certification.

    • The UoC should have a system, or method, to detect and document mass escape events, including the identification of root cause(s) and determination of corrective action(s) to prevent re-occurrence.

Evidence of Implementation

  • The UoC has a register of known escapes in which exceedance of the set limit is monitored.

Auditors Should Confirm

  • Records of mass escape events are maintained.

  • Escape limits remain below the set threshold and that calculations are made correctly.

Indicator 2.4.11

Requirement

Indicator applicability: species with an EICAT Category MR/MV The UoC shall calculate the number of known escapes per production cycle or year, whichever is stricter, following the method outlined in Appendix 6 (6.1). The UoC shall not exceed a maximum number of known escapes per production cycle or year, whichever is stricter, of the following: a. marine salmonids: 300 individuals b. other fish species: 6% If the maximum number of known escapes is exceeded, the UoC shall, by the next working day: c. submit a formal notification to the CAB for cancellation of certification; and d. notify ASC of the exceedance of known escapes, according to ASC data submission procedures.

How Do I Interpret This Requirement?

  • [Note]: Indicator 2.4.11 only applies for species/regions that are classified as ‘Category Major/Massive (MR/MV)’ in the EICAT Species Factsheet.

  • This Indicator requires a strict limit on the number of known escapes allowed per production cycle or per year, whichever threshold is stricter. ‘Known escapes’ refers to escape incidents that are either observed directly or detected through monitoring. It does not include unverified or speculative losses.

  • Escape limits:

    • Marine salmonids (e.g., Atlantic salmon, trout): A hard limit of 300 individuals per production cycle. The formula for calculation can be found in Appendix 6 (6.1).

    • Other fish species: A percentage-based limit of 6% of the total stocked population per production cycle or year (whichever is stricter). The formula for calculation can be found in Appendix 6 (6.1).

    • If the UoC exceeds the set limit, a formal notification to the CAB shall be submitted by the next working day.

Evidence of Implementation

  • The UoC has a register of known escapes in which exceedance of the set limit is monitored.

Auditors Should Confirm

  • Records of known escapes are maintained.

  • Escape limits are to remain below the set threshold and that calculations are made correctly.

Indicator 2.4.10

Requirement

Indicator applicability: fish species with an EICAT Category MO The UoC shall implement appropriate mitigation measures according to the contextualisation of the EICAT category, following the method outlined in Appendix 6 (6.2).

How Do I Interpret This Requirement?

  • [Note]: Indicator 2.4.9 only applies for species/regions that are classified as ‘Category Moderate (MO)’ in the EICAT Species Factsheet.

  • This Indicator requires that the UoC implements suitable actions to minimise the potential harm to biodiversity by a species, depending on its context as determined in Appendix 6 (following the decision-tree in this Appendix).

  • For situations in which either the species, the production region or the culture system results in a low likelihood of contributing to biodiversity harm, the UoC is not required to implement actions.

  • For situations in which either the species, the production region or the culture system contributes to biodiversity harm, the UoC is required to implement actions that reduce this risk. This could mean, e.g.:

    • Installation of net pens as per technical standards in order to further reduce the likelihood of escapes occurring.

    • Installation of additional screens or barriers in pond/tank culture to further reduce the likelihood of escapes occurring.

Evidence of Implementation

  • Documents demonstrating to what extent the decision tree in Appendix 6 is applicable, and evidence of a reduction in the harm category (where relevant).

  • In cases where a reduction in the harm category is not possible, the UoC should demonstrate which additional measures have been taken, including the intended outcome of these measures.

Auditors Should Confirm

  • Confirmation of the decision-tree results in Appendix 6.

  • In cases where a reduction in the harm category is not possible, confirmation that additional measures have been taken, including the intended outcome of these measures.

Indicator 2.4.9

Requirement

Indicator applicability: species with an EICAT Category MO The UoC shall not exceed one Mass Escape Event in a six-year period, defined as: a. marine salmonids: >5000 individuals b. other fish species: >6% Total Escape Count If a mass escape event occurs more than once in a six-year period, the UoC shall, by the next working day: c. submit a formal notification to the CAB for cancellation of certification; and d. notify ASC of the mass escape event, according to ASC data submission procedures.

How Do I Interpret This Requirement?

  • [Note]: Indicator 2.4.9 only applies for species/regions that are classified as ‘Category Moderate (MO)’ in the EICAT Species Factsheet.

  • This Indicator requires a strict limit on mass escape events over a six-year period to ensure that large-scale fish escapes are rare and properly managed. It also requires certification cancellation if the limit is exceeded.

  • An event counts as a ‘mass escape’ if the thresholds are exceeded, regardless of cause (e.g. storm damage, net failure, human error). The thresholds are:

    • For marine salmonids: more than 5,000 individuals escaping at once. The formula for calculation can be found in Appendix 6.1.

    • For other fish species: More than 6% of the stocked population escaping at once. The formula for calculation can be found in Appendix 6.1.

    • The UoC is allowed only one mass escape event in a rolling six-year period. If a second mass escape event occurs within six years, the UoC must notify the CAB the next working day and request cancellation of certification.

    • The UoC should have a system, or method, to detect and document mass escape events, including the identification of root cause(s) and determination of corrective action(s) to prevent re-occurrence.

Evidence of Implementation

  • The UoC has a register of known escapes in which exceedance of the set limit is monitored.

Auditors Should Confirm

  • Records of mass escape events are maintained.

  • Escape limits remain below the set threshold and that calculations are made correctly.

Indicator 2.4.8

Requirement

Indicator applicability: species with an EICAT Category MO The UoC shall not exceed a maximum number of known escapes per production cycle or year, whichever is stricter, of the following: a. marine salmonids: 300 individuals b. other fish species: 6% If the maximum number of known escapes is exceeded more than once in a six-year period, the UoC shall, by the next working day: c. submit a formal notification to the CAB for cancellation of certification; and d. notify ASC of the exceedance of known escapes, according to ASC data submission procedures.

How Do I Interpret This Requirement?

  • [Note]: Indicator 2.4.8 only applies for species/regions that are classified as ‘Category Moderate (MO)’ in the EICAT Species Factsheet.

  • This Indicator requires a strict limit on the number of known escapes allowed per production cycle or per year, whichever threshold is stricter.

  • ‘Known escapes’ refers to escape incidents that are either observed directly or detected through monitoring. It does not include unverified or speculative losses.

  • Escape limits:

    • Marine salmonids (e.g. Atlantic salmon, trout): A hard limit of 300 individuals per production cycle. The formula for calculation can be found in Appendix 6.1.

    • Other fish species: A percentage-based limit of 6% of the total stocked population per production cycle or year (whichever is stricter). The formula for calculation can be found in Appendix 6.1.

    • If the UoC exceeds the set limit, a formal notification to the CAB shall be submitted by the next working day.

Evidence of Implementation

  • The UoC has a register of known escapes in which exceedance of the set limit is monitored.

Auditors Should Confirm

  • Records of known escapes are maintained.

  • Escape limits remain below the set threshold and that calculations are made correctly.