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Feed Dependent

Species

Indicator 4.1.2.19

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 4.1.3.9); and c) mass mortality event response measures. **

How Do I Interpret This Requirement?

Indicator 4.1.2.15

Requirement

The UoC shall adhere to a limit of 15 seconds maximum time out of water.7474An exemption applies to anaesthetised fish and pangasius (due to its ability to breathe air facultatively).

How Do I Interpret This Requirement?

  • Fasting duration:

    • Calculation in degree days provides a more precise indication of fish metabolic activity because it incorporates time and temperature, which better reflect the biological processes, and provides a standardised metric across different locations and time periods.

    • The concept of degree days involves accumulating the average daily temperature over a period of time, i.e. 3 days at an average daily temperature of 19 °C, are 57-degree days.

    • In the case of exceptional situations (see requirement footnote) the length of fasting would be linked to the duration of the event rather than a pre-set timing or veterinarian or aquatic health professional rationale.

Evidence of Implementation

  • Records confirming the required parameter and their conformance with minimum/maximum value.

  • Employees should demonstrate awareness of the established minimum/maximum fasting time.

Auditors Should Confirm

  • The minimum/maximum time fasting time is included in the HMP and incorporates considerations related to intrinsic factors and is implemented.

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

Indicator 4.1.2.14

Requirement

Indicator 4.1.2.13

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 fish.

How Do I Interpret This Requirement?

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

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

Evidence of Implementation

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

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Indicator 4.1.2.12

Requirement

The UoC shall ensure that the HMP includes a post-handling evaluation process that considers at least the following: a) abnormal behaviour; and, b) morphological scores; and, c) moribund animals and mortalities.

How Do I Interpret This Requirement?

  • Abnormal behaviour related to the handling should be recorded.

  • During and post-handling moribund fish and mortalities related to the handling should be recorded and removed.

  • Moribund fish should be collected and culled following responsible stunning and killing according to Criterion 4.1.3.

Evidence of Implementation

  • Behavioural monitoring.

  • Records that confirm the monitoring of the behaviour, moribund and mortalities during and post-handling.

  • Employees should demonstrate awareness of the established behavioural and mortality monitoring process above.

Auditors Should Confirm

  • The behavioural monitoring process included in the HMP incorporates the minimum required elements and it is implemented.

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

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Indicator 4.1.2.11

Requirement

The UoC shall ensure that the HMP includes a visual inspection process to identify abnormal behaviour in relation to the handling activity and defines mitigation measures when identified.

How Do I Interpret This Requirement?

  • Visual inspection during handling should be included in the HMP.

    • When direct visual inspections are not possible (e.g. pangasius transportation) or considered invasive (e.g. during live fish transport inside a well), cameras can be used. Alternatively, fish behaviour can be assessed when loading and discharging the fish as a minimum requirement.

Evidence of Implementation

  • The monitoring process, that incorporates the corrective actions required, included in the HMP.

  • Records that confirm the monitoring of the behaviour.

    • A checked box on the monitoring records indicating whether monitoring behavioural took place or not is accepted.

  • Employees should demonstrate awareness of the established behavioural monitoring process.

Auditors Should Confirm

  • The monitoring process included in the HMP that incorporates the corrective actions and is implemented.

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

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Indicator 4.1.2.10

Requirement

The UoC shall ensure that the HMP includes a water quality monitoring process according to Appendix 12 (12.3, Table 2). In the case of live transport,7373An exemption applies where live transport after harvest is conducted by a third party outside of the scope of the UoC’s certification. Once the product leaves the certified supply chain it can no longer be sold as ASC certified. monitoring shall be conducted at the point of departure, during transport and on arrival. An exception applies where monitoring during transport negatively affects fish health and welfare, in which case monitoring is not required.

How Do I Interpret This Requirement?

  • Maintaining good water quality is a critical factor during fish handling.

  • Concentrations of substances within the water system that rise above or fall below specific levels can be harmful to fish populations and should be monitored.

  • For developing an adequate environment for fish during handling the UoC should consider:

    • Water quality monitoring equipment e.g.

    • Constant monitoring.

    • Every 15 minutes (by hand, automatic).

    • Water quality monitoring frequency.

      • Prior to, during, and post handling.

    • Water quality monitoring for live transport.

    • Departure/arrival and during live transport unless this could cause detrimental impact.

    • While Table 2 of Appendix 12 of the ASC Farm Standard specifies water quality parameters that must be included in the monitoring process, other parameters may be considered based on the specific requirements of the UoC.

    • Conformance with maximum and minimum thresholds for the required parameters, customised to suit the species and environmental conditions, should be incorporated as part of the HMP water quality monitoring process.

    • Corrective actions must be provided according to the HWMP that may be considered acceptable as a reference to develop and implement a water quality monitoring process (Indicator 4.1.1.10.1).

Evidence of Implementation

  • The water quality monitoring process, that incorporates the minimum elements required, included in the HWMP.

  • Records confirming the monitoring of the required parameters and their conformance with maximum and minimum thresholds.

  • Employees should demonstrate awareness of the established water quality monitoring process during handling.

Auditors Should Confirm

  • The water quality monitoring, that incorporates the minimum elements required, included in the HWMP. and cross-checking with the handling operations present in the HMP.

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

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Indicator 4.1.2.9

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 4.1.1.10 e) predator control measures specific to the type of handling, e.g.:

    • Birds scaring devices.

    • Use of anti-predator nets while moving fish from one cage/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 4.1.2.8

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

  • 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.

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Indicator 4.1.2.7

Requirement

The UoC shall ensure that the HMP considers crowding activities with the intent of preventing stress, injury and mortality. Crowding activities shall be carried out: a) under supervision; and b) gradually; and c) partially; and d) for a maximum of two hours. An exception applies where a registered veterinarian or aquatic animal health professional demonstrates that exceeding two hours of crowding does not negatively impact fish welfare, in which case the maximum time period shall be defined by the registered veterinarian or aquatic animal health professional.

How Do I Interpret This Requirement?

  • Appropriate crowding intensity is achieved when there is a balance between fish welfare, minimising abnormal behaviour and having sufficient fish in the crowd area for an effective handling.

  • Abnormal behaviour may be defined as fish behaviour commonly found or seen when fish are stressed.

  • During crowding operations consider an appropriate fish density avoiding:

    • Vigorous escape behaviour.

    • Violent splashing.

    • Escape attempts (jumping).

    • Burrowing into the crowding net.

    • Air gasping.

    • Excessive gill movement.

    • Inability to fish maintain body position (white sides constantly on surface).

      • Skin colour changes.

      • Presence of fish scales in the water.

    • Narrow deep nets are recommended over wide shallow nets for fish crowding.

Evidence of Implementation

  • Considerations, plans and actions taken pre- and during crowding for achieving an appropriate crowding intensity.

  • Records:

    • That confirms the monitoring of the crowding, e.g. time and intensity.

    • Employees should demonstrate awareness of the established crowding operation.

    • Rationale for exceeding the crowding time as directed by the veterinarian or aquatic health professional.

Auditors Should Confirm

  • The crowding operation incorporates considerations for an appropriate crowding, and it is implemented.

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

Useful Resources