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System

Water Type

Feed Dependent

Species

Indicator 4.2.2.10

Requirement

Indicator 4.2.2.9

Requirement

The UoC shall ensure that the HMP considers predation risks specific to the types of handling activities and shall include appropriate predator control measures.

How Do I Interpret This Requirement?

  • For developing a site-specific predator control within the HMP, the UoC should consider:

  • The site-specific characteristics required to be assessed by Indicator 4.2.1.8.e) predator control measures specific to the type of handling, e.g.:

    • Birds scaring devices.

    • Use of appropriate nets sizes while moving crustaceans from one unit/pond to another.

Evidence of Implementation

  • Predator control measures specific to the type of handling operations.

  • Verification of mortalities associated with predators during handling operations.

Auditors Should Confirm

  • The HMP includes the required considerations above.

  • Employees are:

    • Familiarised with the predator control considerations in the HMP by conducting employee interviews and observations.

  • Trained on predator control verifications, e.g.:

    • Verification of mortality events specific to the type of handling operations by reviewing employees’ training records, conducting employees’ interviews and observations.

Indicator 4.2.2.8

Requirement

The UoC shall ensure that the HMP considers biosecurity risks specific to the types of handling activities and shall include appropriate biosecurity measures to prevent the transfer of disease.

How Do I Interpret This Requirement?

  • For developing a site-specific biosecurity mechanism within the HMP, the UoC should consider:

  • Biosecurity measures related to the type of handling, e.g.:

    • Equipment segregation.

    • Equipment disinfection.

Evidence of Implementation

  • For developing a site-specific biosecurity during handling the HMP includes the considerations for:

    • Site-specific biosecurity mechanism.

    • Biosecurity specifications related to the type of handling operations.

Auditors Should Confirm

  • The HMP includes the required minimum considerations above.

  • Employees are:

    • Familiarised with the biosecurity considerations in the HMP by conducting employee interviews and observations.

    • Trained on biosecurity specifications related to the type of handling operations by reviewing employees’ training records, conducting employees’ interviews and observations.

Useful Resources

Indicator 4.2.2.6

Requirement

The UoC shall ensure that the HMP includes acclimatisation measures to prevent sudden changes in water conditions affecting the health and welfare status of the crustaceans.

How Do I Interpret This Requirement?

  • Acclimatisation measures should be designed and maintained, e.g.:

    • Water temperature during transportation must be as close as possible to that which the crustaceans came from.

    • Crustaceans shall be released into a small area of the pond ‘hapa’ or net enclosures in the grow-out pond itself for a risk-assessed period to evaluate the capacity of the PL to adjust to the pond conditions.

Evidence of Implementation

  • acclimatisation measures and monitoring of the water quality according to HMP.

  • Records that confirm the monitoring of acclimatisation parameters before stocking.

  • Employees should demonstrate awareness of the acclimatisation measures and monitoring process above.

Auditors Should Confirm

  • The acclimatisation measures included in the HMP incorporate the minimum required elements and are implemented.

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

Indicator 4.2.2.4

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 crustaceans.

How Do I Interpret This Requirement?

  • Examples of considerations of external conditions:

    • Avoid handling in the event of storms.

    • Avoid handling crustacean without using a shade net on a sunny day.

  • Avoid transferring post-larvae during periods where there are less than favourable conditions:

    • Rainfall can quickly alter pond conditions and trigger a chain of events resulting in sub-optimal conditions for crustaceans.

    • Potential for Vibrio spp. to flourish, increasing the risks of bacterial infection to the shrimp.

    • Trigger the production of hydrogen sulphide. This is a toxic gas produced by sulphate reducing bacteria and is highly toxic to shrimp.

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 4.2.2.3

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) 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.

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

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

  • Presence of a backup system.

  • Employees are:

    • Familiarised with the contingency plans by conducting employee interviews and observations.

  • Records:

    • Backup system testing.

Indicator 4.2.1.13

Requirement

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.

How Do I Interpret This Requirement?

  • Scope applicable to Penaeus vannamei and Penaeus monodon species.

  • Transition periods span from May 2025 to May 2031, with staged percentages for AF broodstock compliance (see Appendix 12 table 4).

  • The objective is to ensure a gradual shift toward using only ablation-free female broodstock, aligning with improved welfare practices.

Evidence of Implementation

  • The monitoring process involves developing and implementing a tracking system to monitor the origin of stock (nauplii, larvae or PL).

  • Where feasible, conduct physical audits or site visits of hatcheries to verify by visual inspection compliance with AF broodstock sourcing.

  • Hatcheries supplying the stock should provide clear documentation of the broodstock’s status (AF or non-AF).

  • Maintain records of sourcing, including certificates or declarations from hatcheries confirming broodstock compliance with AF requirements.

  • Maintain detailed production logs showing the percentage of stock derived from AF broodstock at each transition phase.

  • Employees involved in sourcing should demonstrate understanding to comply with the requirement to ensure they can explain the sourcing process to verify compliance during audits.

Auditors Should Confirm

  • The monitoring process to confirm that the UoC has a documented system to track and verify the origin of nauplii, larvae, or PL.

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

Useful Resources

Indicator 4.2.1.12

Requirement

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

Indicator 4.2.1.11

Requirement

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

Indicator 4.2.1.10

Requirement

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.

How Do I Interpret This Requirement?

  • Upon a WOAH-notifiable disease being confirmed, the UoC should consider within its response mechanism included in the HWMP (see Indicator 4.2.1.8) an emergency response procedure for culling the affected batches of crustaceans (see also Indicator 4.2.1.8.4).

Evidence of Implementation

  • HWMP includes site-specific disease monitoring, responses and reporting requirements.

    • Specific considerations should be given to WOAH-notifiable diseases, including an emergency response procedure for culling the affected batches of crustaceans.

  • National regulations.

  • Records:

    • Reporting to the authorities.

    • Measures applied.

    • Notification to other sites in the vicinity or the ABM.

    • Disease monitoring.

    • Veterinarian or aquatic animal health professional coordination.

Auditors Should Confirm

  • The HWMP includes considerations for WOAH-notifiable diseases (see interpretation for Indicator 4.2.1.8.4).

  • In case a WOAH-notifiable disease has been confirmed:

    • Reporting to authorities and implementation of regulatory measures.

    • Increased monitoring of other batches of crustaceans.

    • Veterinarian or aquatic animal health professional coordination

Useful Resources