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Indicator 2.4.13
Requirement
Indicator applicability: fish species with an EICAT Category MR/MV The UoC shall implement appropriate mitigation measures according to the contextualisation of the EICAT category, following the method outlined in Appendix 6 (6.2).
How Do I Interpret This Requirement?
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[Note]: Indicator 2.4.9 only applies for species/regions that are classified as ‘Category Major/Massive (MR/MV)’ in the EICAT Species Factsheet.
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This Indicator requires that the UoC implements suitable actions to minimise the potential harm to biodiversity by a species, depending on its context as determined in Appendix 6 (following the decision-tree in this Appendix).
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For situations in which either the species, the production region or the culture system results in a low likelihood of contributing to biodiversity harm, the UoC is not required to implement actions.
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For situations in which either the species, the production region or the culture system contributes to biodiversity harm, the UoC is required to implement actions that reduce this risk. This could mean, e.g.:
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Installation of net pens as per technical standards in order to further reduce the likelihood of escapes occurring.
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Installation of additional screens or barriers in pond/tank culture to further reduce the likelihood of escapes occurring.
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Evidence of Implementation
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Documents demonstrating to what extent the decision tree in Appendix 6 is applicable, and evidence of a reduction in the harm category (where relevant).
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In cases where a reduction in the harm category is not possible, the UoC should demonstrate which additional measures have been taken, including the intended outcome of these measures.
Auditors Should Confirm
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The outcome of the decision-tree results in Appendix 6.
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In cases where a reduction in the harm category is not possible, confirmation that additional measures have been taken, including the intended outcome of these measures.
Indicator 2.4.12
Requirement
Indicator applicability: fish species with an EICAT Category MR/MV The UoC shall not have any mass escape events. If a mass escape event occurs, the UoC shall, by the next working day: a. submit a formal notification to the CAB for cancellation of certification; and b. notify ASC of the mass escape event, according to ASC data submission procedures.
How Do I Interpret This Requirement?
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[Note]: Indicator 2.4.12 only applies for species/regions that are classified as ‘Category Major/Massive (MR/MV)’ in the EICAT Species Factsheet.
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This indicator requires a zero limit on mass escape. It also requires certification cancellation if the limit is exceeded.
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An event counts as a ‘mass escape’ if the thresholds are exceeded, regardless of cause (e.g. storm damage, net failure, human error). The thresholds are:
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For marine salmonids: more than 5,000 individuals escaping at once. The formula for calculation can be found in Appendix 6 (6.1).
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For other fish species: More than 6% of the stocked population escaping at once. The formula for calculation can be found in Appendix 6 (6.1).
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If a mass escape event occurs, the UoC must notify the CAB the next working day and request cancellation of certification.
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The UoC should have a system, or method, to detect and document mass escape events, including the identification of root cause(s) and determination of corrective action(s) to prevent re-occurrence.
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Evidence of Implementation
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The UoC has a register of known escapes in which exceedance of the set limit is monitored.
Auditors Should Confirm
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Records of mass escape events are maintained.
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Escape limits remain below the set threshold and that calculations are made correctly.
Indicator 2.4.11
Requirement
Indicator applicability: species with an EICAT Category MR/MV The UoC shall calculate the number of known escapes per production cycle or year, whichever is stricter, following the method outlined in Appendix 6 (6.1). The UoC shall not exceed a maximum number of known escapes per production cycle or year, whichever is stricter, of the following: a. marine salmonids: 300 individuals b. other fish species: 6% If the maximum number of known escapes is exceeded, the UoC shall, by the next working day: c. submit a formal notification to the CAB for cancellation of certification; and d. notify ASC of the exceedance of known escapes, according to ASC data submission procedures.
How Do I Interpret This Requirement?
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[Note]: Indicator 2.4.11 only applies for species/regions that are classified as ‘Category Major/Massive (MR/MV)’ in the EICAT Species Factsheet.
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This Indicator requires a strict limit on the number of known escapes allowed per production cycle or per year, whichever threshold is stricter. ‘Known escapes’ refers to escape incidents that are either observed directly or detected through monitoring. It does not include unverified or speculative losses.
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Escape limits:
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Marine salmonids (e.g., Atlantic salmon, trout): A hard limit of 300 individuals per production cycle. The formula for calculation can be found in Appendix 6 (6.1).
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Other fish species: A percentage-based limit of 6% of the total stocked population per production cycle or year (whichever is stricter). The formula for calculation can be found in Appendix 6 (6.1).
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If the UoC exceeds the set limit, a formal notification to the CAB shall be submitted by the next working day.
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Evidence of Implementation
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The UoC has a register of known escapes in which exceedance of the set limit is monitored.
Auditors Should Confirm
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Records of known escapes are maintained.
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Escape limits are to remain below the set threshold and that calculations are made correctly.
Indicator 2.4.10
Requirement
Indicator applicability: fish species with an EICAT Category MO The UoC shall implement appropriate mitigation measures according to the contextualisation of the EICAT category, following the method outlined in Appendix 6 (6.2).
How Do I Interpret This Requirement?
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[Note]: Indicator 2.4.9 only applies for species/regions that are classified as ‘Category Moderate (MO)’ in the EICAT Species Factsheet.
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This Indicator requires that the UoC implements suitable actions to minimise the potential harm to biodiversity by a species, depending on its context as determined in Appendix 6 (following the decision-tree in this Appendix).
-
For situations in which either the species, the production region or the culture system results in a low likelihood of contributing to biodiversity harm, the UoC is not required to implement actions.
-
For situations in which either the species, the production region or the culture system contributes to biodiversity harm, the UoC is required to implement actions that reduce this risk. This could mean, e.g.:
-
Installation of net pens as per technical standards in order to further reduce the likelihood of escapes occurring.
-
Installation of additional screens or barriers in pond/tank culture to further reduce the likelihood of escapes occurring.
-
Evidence of Implementation
-
Documents demonstrating to what extent the decision tree in Appendix 6 is applicable, and evidence of a reduction in the harm category (where relevant).
-
In cases where a reduction in the harm category is not possible, the UoC should demonstrate which additional measures have been taken, including the intended outcome of these measures.
Auditors Should Confirm
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Confirmation of the decision-tree results in Appendix 6.
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In cases where a reduction in the harm category is not possible, confirmation that additional measures have been taken, including the intended outcome of these measures.
Indicator 2.4.9
Requirement
Indicator applicability: species with an EICAT Category MO The UoC shall not exceed one Mass Escape Event in a six-year period, defined as: a. marine salmonids: >5000 individuals b. other fish species: >6% Total Escape Count If a mass escape event occurs more than once in a six-year period, the UoC shall, by the next working day: c. submit a formal notification to the CAB for cancellation of certification; and d. notify ASC of the mass escape event, according to ASC data submission procedures.
How Do I Interpret This Requirement?
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[Note]: Indicator 2.4.9 only applies for species/regions that are classified as ‘Category Moderate (MO)’ in the EICAT Species Factsheet.
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This Indicator requires a strict limit on mass escape events over a six-year period to ensure that large-scale fish escapes are rare and properly managed. It also requires certification cancellation if the limit is exceeded.
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An event counts as a ‘mass escape’ if the thresholds are exceeded, regardless of cause (e.g. storm damage, net failure, human error). The thresholds are:
-
For marine salmonids: more than 5,000 individuals escaping at once. The formula for calculation can be found in Appendix 6.1.
-
For other fish species: More than 6% of the stocked population escaping at once. The formula for calculation can be found in Appendix 6.1.
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The UoC is allowed only one mass escape event in a rolling six-year period. If a second mass escape event occurs within six years, the UoC must notify the CAB the next working day and request cancellation of certification.
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The UoC should have a system, or method, to detect and document mass escape events, including the identification of root cause(s) and determination of corrective action(s) to prevent re-occurrence.
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Evidence of Implementation
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The UoC has a register of known escapes in which exceedance of the set limit is monitored.
Auditors Should Confirm
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Records of mass escape events are maintained.
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Escape limits remain below the set threshold and that calculations are made correctly.
Indicator 2.4.8
Requirement
Indicator applicability: species with an EICAT Category MO The UoC shall not exceed a maximum number of known escapes per production cycle or year, whichever is stricter, of the following: a. marine salmonids: 300 individuals b. other fish species: 6% If the maximum number of known escapes is exceeded more than once in a six-year period, the UoC shall, by the next working day: c. submit a formal notification to the CAB for cancellation of certification; and d. notify ASC of the exceedance of known escapes, according to ASC data submission procedures.
How Do I Interpret This Requirement?
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[Note]: Indicator 2.4.8 only applies for species/regions that are classified as ‘Category Moderate (MO)’ in the EICAT Species Factsheet.
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This Indicator requires a strict limit on the number of known escapes allowed per production cycle or per year, whichever threshold is stricter.
-
‘Known escapes’ refers to escape incidents that are either observed directly or detected through monitoring. It does not include unverified or speculative losses.
-
Escape limits:
-
Marine salmonids (e.g. Atlantic salmon, trout): A hard limit of 300 individuals per production cycle. The formula for calculation can be found in Appendix 6.1.
-
Other fish species: A percentage-based limit of 6% of the total stocked population per production cycle or year (whichever is stricter). The formula for calculation can be found in Appendix 6.1.
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If the UoC exceeds the set limit, a formal notification to the CAB shall be submitted by the next working day.
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Evidence of Implementation
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The UoC has a register of known escapes in which exceedance of the set limit is monitored.
Auditors Should Confirm
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Records of known escapes are maintained.
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Escape limits remain below the set threshold and that calculations are made correctly.
Indicator 2.4.7
Requirement
The UoC shall report to ASC the escape data, according to ASC data submission procedures.
How Do I Interpret This Requirement?
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This Indicator requires the UoC to report the relevant data to ASC, as per data submission procedure.
Evidence of Implementation
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Evidence that data has been submitted and received by ASC.
Auditors Should Confirm
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Verify that UoC holds evidence that data has been submitted to ASC.
Indicator 2.4.6
Requirement
Indicator applicability: bivalve culture The UoC shall make efforts to address genetic concerns specific to the species and geographic region where hatchery-raised seed will be out-planted.
How Do I Interpret This Requirement?
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This Indicator requires the UoC to take efforts to mitigate genetic risks associated with releasing hatchery-raised bivalve seed into the environment.
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The emphasis is on species-specific and region-specific genetic concerns, meaning the UoC must consider the local ecosystem and population genetics before out-planting.
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Evidence of Implementation
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Any of the following:
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Documentation of the use of local, wild broodstock to address genetic concerns specific to species and the geographic region where the seed will be out-planted;
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Documentation of the scale of farming activities and the reproductive potential of crops (e.g. whether diploid or triploid, or considering age at harvest and age at first maturation) are well below the size and reproductive potential of the natural population within a reasonable ‘dispersal kernel’ from the site;
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Documentation of the production of sterile seed for out-planting from breeding programmes that intentionally alter wild stocks for improved culture traits, such as growth, yield, survival and morphology;
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Documentation of cooperation with restoration efforts in the geographic region using out-planting that involves the intentional divergence from wild stocks to produce disease-resistant wild populations.
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Auditors Should Confirm
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In relationship to the items listed under ‘Evidence of implementation’:
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Verify that the site uses local, wild population for the broodstock with appropriate rotation of spawned individuals;
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Verify that the reproductive potential (e.g. whether diploid or triploid, or considering age at harvest and age at first maturation) of the hatchery produced seed is well below the size and reproductive potential of the natural population within a reasonable ‘dispersal kernel’ from the site;
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Verify the existence of a breeding programme that produces altered sterile seed for out-planting;
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Verify that the site’s breeding programme is in coordination with existing restoration efforts in the geographic region.
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Indicator 2.4.5
Requirement
The UoC shall log all handling and containment incidents and near misses.
How Do I Interpret This Requirement?
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This indicator requires the UoC to log (i.e. register) all handling and containment incidents, including near misses, in order to inform the risk assessment (see Indicator 2.4.3) and the training (2.4.4) on situations that could result, or have resulted, in registered escapes.
Evidence of Implementation
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A documented register of all handling and containment incidents and near misses.
Auditors Should Confirm
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Presence of the register.
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Interviews with employees to confirm that employees are aware of the register and that it is being used.
Indicator 2.4.4
Requirement
The UoC shall ensure that any person involved in handling activities is trained on handling procedures to minimise escapes.
How Do I Interpret This Requirement?
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Training and handling procedures includes:
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An understanding of which staff are involved in animal handling (including external services providers that conduct activities at the site).
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Coverage of relevant training content, e.g. correct handling process, correct use of equipment and emergency protocols.
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Appropriate means of training delivery relevant to the site-specific conditions (e.g. considering whether a workshop is sufficient or whether ‘live training’ on-site is more appropriate).
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Evidence of Implementation
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Training documents and records of staff attendance.
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Presence of relevant procedures/protocols.
Auditors Should Confirm
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Training documents and records of staff attendance.
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Presence of relevant procedures/protocols.
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Interviews with staff.
