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Indicator 4.1.1.25

Requirement

The UoC shall ensure that a registered veterinarian or aquatic animal health professional periodically visits the site to perform routine checks. Checks shall be carried out at least annually, as well as reactively in cases of fish health or welfare concerns. **

How Do I Interpret This Requirement?

  • This clause overlaps with Indicator 4.1.1.8 regarding fish. Please refer to Indicator 4.1.1.8 for a detailed description.

Indicator 4.1.1.24

Requirement

The UoC shall ensure that cleaner fish feed is not withdrawn to enhance sea lice control.

How Do I Interpret This Requirement?

  • The cleaner fish will have a feeding plan that is not affected by the number of sea lice on the salmon.

Evidence of Implementation

  • The feeding records of the cleaner fish.

  • Cleaner fish feed purchase records.

  • Assessment of cleaner fish morphology to ensure no emaciation.

Auditors Should Confirm

  • Feed purchase records.

  • Veterinary records of assessing cleaner fish.

  • Morphological checks (see Indicator 4.1.1.27.2).

Useful Resources

Indicator 4.1.1.23

Requirement

Indicator applicability: every UoC using feed The UoC shall develop and implement a feeding plan that considers at least all of the following: a) time and frequency of feeding; and b) feed rations; and c) feeding methods; and d) different environmental conditions; and e) prevention of use of feed which has expired, spoiled or shows signs of excessive leakage; and f) feed types for the nutritional needs and life stages of the species. An exception applies to (f) when such feeds are not available, in which case the UoC shall use feed suitable for animals with similar nutritional needs. **

How Do I Interpret This Requirement?

Indicator 4.1.1.22

Requirement

The UoC shall only stock cleaner fish: a) during daylight; and b) in calm weather; and c) below the waterline; and d) close to hides and refuges; and e) after salmon have been fed; and f) without forcing removal from their transport container.

How Do I Interpret This Requirement?

  • The timing of the stocking will be documented.

  • Training of staff should include handling of cleaner fish.

Evidence of Implementation

  • The stocking record along with the site diary.

  • Training records.

Auditors Should Confirm

  • Stocking records

  • Site diary

  • Training records.

Useful Resources

Indicator 4.1.1.21

Requirement

The UoC shall provide hides and refuges for the cleaner fish that are: a) designed and placed according to the species-specific needs; and b) sufficient for the number of cleaner fish stocked.

How Do I Interpret This Requirement?

  • The amount of refuges and hides will be determined by their species and the number stocked as well as the need for rotation during cleaning.

  • This will need to be discussed with the veterinarian or fish health professional.

Evidence of Implementation

  • The stocking numbers and numbers of hides and refuges.

Auditors Should Confirm

  • Stocking number of cleaner fish

  • Adequate level of hides and refuges should be verified by:

    • Observation of the hides and refuges.

    • Observation of the cleaner fish.

Useful Resources

Indicator 4.1.1.20

Requirement

The UoC shall implement a vaccination plan that: a) considers the relevant diseases and vaccine availability; and b) includes justification for vaccine selection; and c) is approved by a registered veterinarian or aquatic animal health professional.

How Do I Interpret This Requirement?

Useful Resources

Indicator 4.1.1.19

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.

Useful Resources

Indicator 4.1.1.18

Requirement

The UoC shall carry out a risk assessment prior to stocking cleaner fish, considering at least the following: a) the suitability of use of cleaner fish for parasite control (see Indicator 4.5.17); and b) the disease history of the cleaner fish to avoid cross contamination (only where using farmed cleaner fish); and c) site-specific environmental conditions considering the species-specific needs of cleaner fish; and d) net mesh size; and e) salmon size in relation to cleaner fish.

How Do I Interpret This Requirement?

  • A risk assessment regarding the use of cleaner fish should be developed.

  • As part of the risk assessment the site should, along with the designated veterinarian or aquatic animal health professional, review previous information:

    • Parasite infection history at the site.

    • Disease history at the site.

    • Disease history of available farmed cleaner fish.

    • Water quality history at the site.

    • Site specific environmental conditions.

    • Net mesh size.

    • Salmon size.

Evidence of Implementation

  • A completed risk assessment

    • This is to be reviewed at the start of each cycle.

    • Developed in accordance with the designated veterinarian or aquatic animal health professional.

Auditors Should Confirm

  • That at the start of each cycle, a risk assessment is carried out to ensure that cleaner fish are a viable option for the site.

Useful Resources

Indicator 4.1.1.17

Requirement

The UoC shall only use native cleaner fish species. Useful resources: – Marine Conservation Society (2021) Use of ‘Cleaner Fish’ in UK aquaculture: Current use, concerns and recommendations.

Indicator 4.1.1.13

Requirement

The UoC shall report to ASC mortality data, according to ASC data submission procedures, following the method outlined in Appendix 12 (12.5.1).