A statistically relevant number of fish from the mortality event shall be analysed.

Typically, larger sample sizes provide more reliable estimates and stronger evidence for drawing conclusions.

Employees should be trained on this procedure.

Collected moribund fish should be humanely slaughtered as per Criterion 4.1.3.

Implementation can be verified by cross-checking the process with relevant records, information from employee interviews and observations.

Implementation can be confirmed by cross-checking the frequency of collection and culling methods with records, information from employee interviews and observations.

Aims to support the development and implementation of preventive, rather than remedial, actions that ensure good fish health and welfare.

Must be developed by the UoC in collaboration with a veterinarian who approves it. In countries where other professions have comparable rights and duties and are subject to the same authorization and regulatory requirements as veterinarians, they may also approve the HWMP (e.g., aqua medicine biologists in Norway).

Developing standardised health and welfare monitoring protocol

This may involve conducting visual inspections, monitoring Operational Welfare Indicators (OWIs) and performing diagnostic tests for pathogens.

Producing and maintaining detailed records.

Including records of health observations, diagnostic test results, treatments administered, mortalities, and other relevant data.

It is recommended to use a centralised database or electronic system for efficient data management and retrieval.

Implementing an early detection system.

To detect signs of disease outbreaks or abnormal health conditions promptly.

This could include environmental monitoring tools.

Establishing response protocols for responding to disease outbreaks or health emergencies.

Establishing communication channels.

Maintaining a readily accessible notification list.

Determining the objectives and scope of the biosecurity mechanism.

Identifying relevant regulatory requirements.

Gathering information about the site, including an up-to-date layout of buildings and production units identifying the possible movements of animals, animal products, animal waste, water, feed and fomites/vectors.

Identifying potential transmission pathways into, within and from the site.

Carrying out a risk analysis to identify and evaluate disease threats and ensure that the plan addresses them.

This will depend on the objectives of the biosecurity mechanism.

Identifying mitigation measures and assessing their effectiveness and their management requirements.

Establishing emergency procedures in the event of a biosecurity failure.

Defining internal and external communication procedures, roles, and responsibilities.

Creating a monitoring and internal audit schedule.

Carrying out performance evaluations.

Creating the necessary Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to support the implementation of the mitigation measures and the biosecurity mechanism.

Training employees in the different elements of the biosecurity mechanism.

Maintaining a record-keeping system that provides evidence of compliance with the biosecurity mechanism.

Identifying potential predators.

Physical barriers such as nets, fences, or screens to prevent access to fish tanks or ponds.

Scare tactics such as visual deterrents to discourage predators from approaching the facility.

Implementing ongoing monitoring and surveillance.

Regular reviewing and revision.

Adjustments to the measures should be made when the results of monitoring indicate the need to optimise protection for fish and the containment system.

Collaborating with local authorities or local wildlife agencies to address predator issues in the surrounding area.

A periodic review and, if necessary, a revision of the HWMP must be conducted in response to changes in farming activities or external factors or as directed by the veterinarian.

As a minimum, the review should occur annually in cases of production cycles shorter than one year or using continuous stocking/cropping methods, or following each production cycle, in the case of UoCs with production cycles longer than one year or using all-in-all-out stocking/cropping methods.

The UoC should develop feedback mechanisms to inform the review, e.g. proactively seeking feedback from employees and subcontracted personnel, such as the vaccination team, on the operationalisation of the site-specific biosecurity mechanism.

For a single producer overseeing multiple UoCs in a shared waterbody, a unified HWMP that incorporates site-specific details is acceptable; however, for larger companies managing multiple UoCs in one country, while common plans may apply, it is crucial to ensure HWMP adaptation to individual site circumstances, particularly in aspects like biosecurity measures, disease surveillance programs, and monitoring systems.

Site-specific disease monitoring, responses and reporting requirements.

Specific considerations should be given to reporting WOAH-notifiable diseases (see interpretation for Indicator 4.1.1.11).

Familiarised with the HWMP and the feedback mechanisms for its review by conducting employee interviews and observations.

Trained on the site-specific biosecurity mechanism by reviewing employees’ training records, conducting employees’ interviews and observations.

Routine: Performed on a regular basis to monitor the health and welfare of the farmed fish.

Reactive: Performed in response to deterioration of, or concerns about, the health or welfare status of the farmed fish.

Visit scheduling: Ensure key employees are available during the visit to provide relevant required information and to facilitate adequate follow-up.

Designate a senior member of the employees to serve as the primary point of contact for the veterinarian or aquatic animal health professional during the visit.

This individual can help coordinate the activity, ensure relevant information is available, assist during the visit and ensure follow-up.

Species being cultured,

Production systems,

Stocking densities,

Recent health history, including treatments, water quality monitoring results,

Behaviour data,

Morphology and mortalities data,

Feeding plan,

Any previous veterinary reports,

Details of any ongoing issue.

Having this information readily accessible will facilitate discussion and decision-making during the visit.

Prepare the UoC for the visit: Ensure the UoC is prepared for the visit and for providing full access to all relevant areas to the veterinarian or aquatic animal health professional.

During the visit: Ensure relevant information is discussed with the veterinarian or aquatic animal health professional and that the visit includes all relevant areas within the UoC.

After the visit: Follow up on any recommendations or actions discussed during the visit.

Continuous improvement: Use the insights gained from the veterinarian or aquatic animal health professional visit to identify opportunities for continuous improvement in health and welfare management.

Veterinarian or aquatic animal health professional qualifications.

Veterinarian or aquatic animal health professional visit.

Recommendations or actions discussed during the visit.

The smolts are derived from the same stripping.

There is a period when the site is fully fallow after harvest, in accordance with regulatory requirements.

Purchase.

Transportation.

Delivery.

Stocking.

Fallowing.

Production (fish size).

Local regulations.

Relevant diseases for the species in the country, based on scientific literature and publicly available information.

Commercially licensed vaccines registered for the species being farmed and autogenous vaccines produced by a licensed producer.

Vaccination.

make contact with Indigenous and tribal peoples and local communities to establish and maintain a relationship with them

make efforts to involve Indigenous and tribal peoples and local communities in decisions that may impact them

keep Indigenous and tribal peoples and local communities informed about the activities of the UoC, particularly any changes that may take place

ensure that Indigenous and tribal peoples and local communities are aware of and understand how to use the community grievance mechanism (3.12.4).

engage with communities

assess and mitigate any negative impacts.

recognises and respects the legal and customary rights of Indigenous and tribal peoples and local communities over land and resources

ensures land titles and deeds are in place and that it follows national laws

legal ownership documentation

leaseholds

any other use right documentation

there are/were no land conflicts when starting the site operations, and/or

any land conflicts have been resolved.

Where required (and this can be applied anywhere as a good practice) the UoC obtains Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) from Indigenous and tribal communities before undertaking any activities that may impact significant sites or resources.

improve wellbeing

foster positive relationships between the UoC and the communities.

job opportunities

food for the canteen

machinery needed for running the site

feed.

cleaning company

diving company

security guard provider.

revenue-sharing

the improvement of roads

connections to other services for the community, such as internet access.

local posting of jobs and active recruitment in neighbouring communities,

partnerships with local businesses for the delivery of goods and/or services, such as catering.

noise

light

pollution

dirt and dust

traffic and damage to roads

restrictions on where people can move around the community.

Sometimes the UoC can cause disruption to communities who are further away, for example through increased traffic on the roads by trucks delivering feed early in the morning.

identify if any negative impacts are taking place

decide on ways to mitigate these impacts

inform the community of the contents of any mitigation plan.

See also the guidance for Indicator 3.13.1.