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Feed Dependent

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Indicator 4.1.2.4

Requirement

The UoC shall ensure that the HMP includes consideration of the environmental conditions associated with handling activities, with the intent of preventing handling under adverse conditions that could affect the health and welfare of the fish.

How Do I Interpret This Requirement?

  • Examples of considerations of external conditions:

    • Avoid mechanical treatments in the event of storms.

    • Avoid crowding fish for treatment without using a shade net on a sunny day.

  • Avoid transferring juveniles during period where there are less than favourable conditions:

    • Spring tides can result in stronger currents and rapid changes in water levels, juveniles may become disoriented or stressed potentially leading to injuries or escape.

      • Risk of entrapment and loss of equipment can be associated with spring tides.

Evidence of Implementation

  • HMP includes consideration for external conditions necessary to perform handling.

  • Records:

    • Weather forecast verification.

    • Employees should demonstrate knowledge of the considerations and the verification of external conditions before handling.

Auditors Should Confirm

  • HMP includes considerations for external conditions for handling and are implemented.

  • Implementation can be confirmed by cross-checking the HMP with records, information from employee interviews and observations.

Indicator 4.1.2.3

Requirement

The UoC shall ensure that the HMP includes contingency plans for handling activities, including at least the following: a) immediate response measures in the case of system failure; and b) humane culling response measures (see Indicator 4.1.3.2); and c) mass mortality event response measures.

How Do I Interpret This Requirement?

  • The contingency plans should consider:

    • Identification of potential failures.

  • Effective corrective measures, e.g.:

    • Backup power generators.

    • Oxygen support.

Evidence of Implementation

  • HMP includes processes’ contingency plans.

  • Records:

    • Backup system testing.

    • Additional oxygen source available.

Auditors Should Confirm

  • HMP includes considerations on fish health and welfare before handling events, including considerations for the existence of a backup system.

    • Backup system testing records.

  • Presence of backup system.

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

  • Records:

    • Backup system testing.

Useful Resources

1. Barathan, B., Wang, Y., Su, Y., Hamilton, D., et al., (2022). Methods to control harmful algal blooms: a review. Environmental Chemistry Letters.

2. FAO eLearning Academy (2024) Emergency preparedness for aquatic disease outbreaks. Online course

Indicator 4.1.1.28

Requirement

The UoC shall report to ASC mortality data of cleaner fish, according to ASC data submission procedures, and following the method outlined in Appendix 12 (12.5.1). Comment box In this first version of Principle 4 in the ASC Farm Standard, there is no requirement to develop a traffic light system (see indicator 4.1.1.10.5) or analyse trends to determine changes in health and welfare (see indicator 4.1.1.10.6) for cleaner fish. However, it is expected that going forward, all these requirements will also be included for cleaner fish.

Indicator 4.1.1.27

Requirement

The UoC shall calculate cleaner fish stocking densities in relation to salmon stocking, following the method outlined In Appendix 12 (12.5.4).

Indicator 4.1.1.26.5

Table 1. Requirements for Indicator 4.1.1.26.5

Indicator

Requirement

4.1.1.26.5

The UoC shall ensure the HWMP includes a mortality reduction plan which defines annual targets for both total and unexplained mortalities and shall implement appropriate actions to meet the annual targets. **


How Do I Interpret This Requirement?

Indicator 4.1.1.26.4

Table 1. Requirements for Indicator 4.1.1.26.4

Indicator

Requirement

4.1.1.26.4

The UoC shall ensure the HWMP includes a mortality monitoring process which includes at least the following: a) daily monitoring and recording of mortalities; and b) removal of mortalities at least every second day; and, c) classification of all recovered mortalities and conducting a post-mortem analysis for each mortality event; and d) investigation of mortality events which remain unexplained or unattributed to fish health reasons; and e) daily collection of moribund fish and culling according to Criterion 4.1.3. Where any of the listed items above are not possible, the UoC shall record the reason. **


How Do I Interpret This Requirement?

Indicator 4.1.1.26.3

Table 1. Requirements for Indicator 4.1.1.26.3

Indicator

Requirement

4.1.1.26.3

The UoC shall ensure the HWMP includes a feeding behaviour scoring monitoring process for live cleaner fish. Monitoring shall be conducted weekly. An exception applies where deviation from weekly monitoring is justified under environmental conditions that affect the welfare of the cleaner fish or the health and safety of employees. The reason for any deviation shall be recorded. **


How Do I Interpret This Requirement?

Indicator 4.1.1.26.2

Table 1. Requirements for Indicator 4.1.1.26.2

Indicator

Requirement

4.1.1.26.2

The UoC shall ensure the HWMP includes a morphological scoring monitoring process for live cleaner fish. Monitoring shall be conducted at least once every three months, and shall include at least the following scoring parameters: – eye damage – operculum damage – skin damage – fin damage – deformities – change of colouration – emaciation An exception applies where deviation from monitoring frequency is justified by any of the following reasons: – immediately after stocking; or – under environmental conditions that affect the welfare of the cleaner fish or the health and safety of employees; or – cleaner fish are undergoing a disease event and/or being treated. The reason for any deviation shall be recorded.


How Do I Interpret This Requirement?

Useful Resources

Indicator 4.1.1.26.1

Table 1. Requirements for Indicator 4.1.1.26.1

Indicator

Requirement

4.1.1.26.1

The UoC shall ensure the HWMP includes a water quality monitoring process according to Appendix 12 (12.3, Table 2). **


How Do I Interpret This Requirement?

Indicator 4.1.1.26

Requirement

The UoC shall develop, implement and maintain a site-specific Health and Welfare Management Plan (HWMP), approved by a registered veterinarian, with the intent to prevent disease outbreaks and ensure good health and welfare of cleaner fish. The HWMP shall include all of the following: a) disease monitoring; and b) response, including quarantine, treatment, and humane culling; and c) reporting mechanisms, including reporting WOAH-notifiable disease to authorities; and d) biosecurity risks; and e) predation risks. The HWMP shall be reviewed, and revised as necessary, at least at the end of every period of cleaner fish use.

How Do I Interpret This Requirement?