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 crustaceans.

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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) culling response measures (see Indicators 4.2.3.2 and 4.2.3.7); and c) mass mortality event response measures. Exception applicability: every UoC using feed An exception to (b) applies in the extreme circumstances of culling whole ponds for disease control, in which case a solution of chlorine is allowed in a concentration that ensures that death occurs rapidly.

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Indicator applicability: Penaeus vannamei and Penaeus monodon The UoC shall demonstrate that received nauplii, larvae or post-larvae (PL) originates from ablation free (AF) female broodstock according to the transition periods outlined in Appendix 12 (12.4, Table 4). This includes an agreement with the hatchery that allows ASC or its designated agents to conduct oversight activities to verify the AF sources within the facility.

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Useful Resources

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

The UoC shall calculate stocking densities, following the method outlined in Appendix 12 (12.5.4).

The UoC shall report to the relevant authorities if a WOAH-notifiable disease is confirmed at a site, and shall: a) apply the measures according to applicable legal requirements; and b) increase disease-monitoring in other batches of crustaceans; and coordinate oversight by a registered veterinarian or aquatic animal health professional.

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Indicator applicability: every UoC using feed The UoC shall report the following to a registered veterinarian or aquatic animal health professional: a) all mortality events; and b) crustacean health and welfare concerns identified during mortality classification.

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How Do I Interpret This Requirement?

Evidence of Implementation

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How Do I Interpret This Requirement?

Water Quality Indicators:

Step 1. Identify the parameters to be monitored according to Appendix 12 (Table 3).

Step 2. Establish species and life stage-specific thresholds for the parameters identified:

For example, based on the FAI shrimp score card for shrimp, the traffic light system for three of the indicators could be:

|   | Acceptable | Warning levels | Unacceptable |

| Temperature  | 25.5-32.4°C | 14.5-25.4°C or | ≤14.4C or ≥35.5°C |

| | | | |

| | | 32.5-35.4°C | |

| DO | ≥65% | 49-64% | ≤48% |

| Transparency | 35-50cm | 21-34cm or 51-59cm | ≤20cm or ≥60cm |

Morphological Indicators:

Step 1. Develop a scoring system for each of the morphological parameters required by Indicator 4.2.1.8.2.

Parameters  Severity  Locality  Timing 

  0  1  2  3  0  1  2  3  0  1  2

Eyes  None  Mild  Moderate  Severe  None  One eye  One eye  Both

Antennas  None  Mild  Moderate   Missing  None  One  Both

Rostrum  None  Mild  Moderate   Severe  None  Mild  Moderate  Severe

Appendages  None  Mild  Moderate   Missing  None  Few  Many  Extreme

Loss of appendages: Bacterial infection  None  Mild  Moderate  Severe  None  Few  Many  Extreme

Loss of appendages: Cannibalism  None  Mild  Moderate  Severe  None  Few  Many  Extreme

Hepatopancreas colouration and size  Normal  Mild  Moderate  Severe  None  Some  Diffuse

Gill colouration  Normal  Mild  Moderate  Severe  None  Mild  Diffuse

Size dispersion/ variation  Normal  Mild  Moderate  Severe          None  End cycle  Mid cycle

Shell blisters and necrosis  Low  Mild  Moderate  Severe  None  Mild  Diffuse

Empty digestive tube and colouration  Normal  Mild  Moderate  Severe          Before feed    After feed

Step 2. Once a scoring system has been developed, simulate different scenarios to develop a traffic light system. These scenarios should include at least:

Each scenario will have a corresponding score:

Best case scenario

Parameters  Severity  Locality  Timing

  0  1  2  3  0  1  2  3  0  1  2

Eyes  0

Antennas  0

Rostrum  0

Appendages  0

Loss of appendages: Bacterial infection  0

Loss of appendages: Cannibalism  0

Hepatopancreas colouration and size  0

Gill colouration 

Size dispersion/ variation  0

Shell blisters and necrosis  0

Empty digestive tube and colouration  0

Total  0

Worst case scenario

Parameters  Severity  Locality  Timing

  0  1  2  3  0  1  2  3  0  1  2

Eyes      3        3

Antennas      3      2

Rostrum      3        3

Appendages      3        3

Loss of appendages: Bacterial infection      3        3

Loss of appendages: Cannibalism      3        3

Hepatopancreas colouration and size      3      2

Gill colouration      3      2

Size dispersion/ variation      3               2

Shell blisters and necrosis      3      2         

Empty digestive tube and colouration      3               2

Total  60

Third best case scenario

Parameters  Severity  Locality  Timing 

  0  1  2  3  0  1  2  3  0  1  2

Eyes      2        2  3

Antennas      2      1 

Rostrum      2        2  3

Appendages      2        2  3

Loss of appendages: Bacterial infection      2        2  3

Loss of appendages: Cannibalism      2        2  3

Hepatopancreas colouration and size      2      1 

Gill colouration      2      1 

Size dispersion/ variation      2              1

Shell blisters and necrosis      2      1 

Empty digestive tube and colouration      2              1

Total  38

Second best case scenario

Parameters  Severity  Locality  Timing 

  0  1  2  3  0  1  2  3  0  1  2

Eyes    1

Antennas    1        1

Rostrum    1      0 

Appendages    1        1

Loss of appendages: Bacterial infection    1        1

Loss of appendages: Cannibalism    1        1

Hepatopancreas colouration and size    1      0

Gill colouration    1      0

Size dispersion/ variation    1              0

Shell blisters and necrosis    1      0

Empty digestive tube and colouration    1              0

Total  16

Step 3. Create a traffic light system, for example:

0 to 16 17 to 38 39 to 60

Acceptable Threshold Not acceptable

No action required Action required Action required

With time, and as more information is gathered, these thresholds might require re-adjustments.

Behavioural Indicators:

Step 1. Identify feeding behaviours that are relevant for the species of shrimp and the life stage being farmed (see example in Indicator 4.2.1.8.3 Table 13).

Step 2. Grade the identified feeding behaviours based on the scientific literature available or the opinion of a veterinarian or aquatic animal health professional. A few possible feeding behaviours to monitor are listed below.

| |   | | |

| | | | |

| | Score | | |

| | | | |

| |   | | |

| Feeding Behaviour | 0 | 1 | 2 |

| Feeding behaviour | Most shrimp react quickly by moving to the newly offered food | Only some of the shrimp react to the newly offered food | Most shrimp do not react to the newly offered food |

| Feed consumption efficiency | Tray is consistently emptied during feeding time | Partial feed remains (<20% uneaten) | Significant feed remains (>20% uneaten) |

| Interaction with feeding environment | Shrimp feed calmly without aggression or erratic movement | Occasional signs of stress or avoidance behaviour | Persistent signs of stress or aggression |

Step 3. Simulate scenarios.

Best case scenario Second- best scenario Third- best scenario Worst case scenario

Score

Feeding behaviour 0 1 0 2

Feed Consumption Efficiency 0 1 1 2

Interaction with Feeding Environment 0 1 1 2

Total   0 3 2 6

Step 4. Create a traffic light system, for example:

0-2
2-3
4-6

Acceptable Threshold Not acceptable

Mortality Indicators:

Step 1. Develop a mortality classification system that adjusts to the species, the life stage and the farming context (e.g. the geography or farming system where shrimp are reared). Staff must be trained in the mortality classification. Broadly, the following groupings can be made:

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Step 2. Based on the site’s historic mortality trends and those of the industry, establish mortality thresholds with the support of a veterinarian or health manager.

Step 3: Create a traffic light system, for example for shrimp mortality based on the FAI Course:

≤10 % production mortality 11-25 % production mortality ≥26% production mortality

Acceptable Warning levels Unacceptable

Evidence of Implementation

Auditors Should Confirm