Inspection reports

Case Number: 2021-0409

Download Current stock onsite were imported from Aquasearch in Denmark in 2019. Site manager reports that fish are performing well.
Mortality across the site since input on 14th March 2019 is 17.3% (with 8% attributed to failed ova). Mortalities are stored in sealed containers on site and transferred in the owners pick up truck to the CnES facility in Stornoway where the waste is ensiled. and transformed into biogas.
Site manager may source ova from Aquagen in Norway in the future due to movement restrictions in Denmark.
Fish were intended to be transferred to Loch Leiniscal (FS1001) in June this year, however due to very low water levels, the site could not be accessed as the owners boat was grounded. Fish are expected to now be moved between November 21 and
February 22.
Fish appeared healthy. No moribunds or mortalities were observed in any of the tanks.
Fish sampled for VMD appeared healthy and demonstrated a strong feed response. [Original PDF]

Case Number: 2023-0075

Download This site was recommended for an enhanced containment inspection following the site being assessed as unsatisfactory in regards to containment during a previous routine fish health inspection on 03/11/2023. An attempt to visit the site was made on
21/11/2023, however the site operator could not accommodate the visit. An enhanced containment inspection is to be rescheduled for early 2024.
A containment issue has been raised and recommendation provided to the farm operator to fix or replace the screened box, which is situated around the waste water pipe from the hatchery. This is necessary to meet the requirements of the Code of
Good Practise, Chapter 2, 4.17 and 4.20. [Original PDF]

Case Number: 2023-0448

Download Meavag is currently stocked with approximately 7,800 rainbow trout of various sizes, averaging 100g of stock which was sourced from Aquasearch in Denmark in 2019. The site is also stocked with 16,352 fry averaging 5g. The ova for this fry stock was imported from Troutlodge, USA in May 2023.
Meavag also has one tank stocked with 50 Koi carp, these fish were stocked without permission, sourced from Cuttlebrook Koi
Farm in Oxford, England. APB breach of authorisation letter is to be sent.
The site currently has 7 tanks stocked of the 19 which are present on the site. On the date of inspection the electricity which powers the lights in the main hatchery facility had tripped / wasn't working during the inspection, which made for a very difficult observation of the stock. Inspection of the sites facility was conducted under torch light.
From the few fish that were clearly visible, no clinical signs of disease were observed. The larger stock of trout were observed responding positively to hand feeding.
The Koi carp appeared healthy and were also observed responding well to routine hand feeding. No mortality has been recorded to any of the Koi carp stock since input in July 2022.
The water source for the hatchery is taken from a neighbouring freshwater loch via a pipeline network. Waste water from the hatchery tanks is then transferred by a connecting pipe to sea. Where the waste water pipe exits the site at the shoreline, there is a screened box which is in place to catch any potential escaping fish which could make it through the pipeline in the event of a tank screen failure. This box surrounding the waste water pipe was positioned within the tidal range of the sea and was visibly damaged and broken. Site management have been advised that a replacement should be ordered as soon as possible, an enhanced containment inspection will also be scheduled in due course.
Water temprature was 12 degrees on the date of inspection, temperature was taken using the sites thermometer for biosecurity.
The mortality records supplied is for the 2019 RTR stock only, no records for Koi or RTR fry has been supplied.
No treatments have been conducted onsite since the date of last inspection.
Morts stored in 25L plastic bin on site, waste is transported to landfill via company van. [Original PDF]

Case Number: 2024-0023

Download Following a previous inspection an issue was raised in regards to containment as the secondary screen covering the water exit point for the site was damaged and an enhanced containment inspection was arranged.
Upon inspection of the site, the secondary screen has been replaced and the issue resolved.
3 fish were removed for VMD, the fish sampled appeared healthy both internally and externally. [Original PDF]

Case Number: 2024-0294

Download Site visited for further investigation regarding a retrospective authorisation application to hold Koi Carp following an unauthorised stocking of 50 Koi Carp in September 2022 from Cuttlebrook Koi Farm, Oxford.
The site currently holds 48 Koi Carp in 1 tank within the hatchery facility. Fish appeared healthy during the inspection of the site with no clinical signs of disease observed.
Check list to determine the containment measures in place as defined in Council Regulation (EC) No 708/2007 concerning the use of alien and locally absent species in aquaculture.
• Does the facility involve the recirculation of water:
No. The site operates a flow through system. Water inflow to the site comes from a nearby freshwater loch, Loch a' Mhonaidh supplied by a pipe network which enters the site. A split ring main is used to divide the water pressure evenly between the stocked tanks within the facility. The inflow pipe that feeds the supply of water to each tank is screened to prevent the loss of fish upstream. the site is double screened on outflow, mesh screens which are suitably installed and maintained are positioned at the base of each tank and at the discharge point where water exits into the sea.
• Do discharges not connect in any way to open waters before screening and filtering or percolation and filtering to prevent the release of solid waste into the aquatic environment:
The tank which holds the Koi carp is double screened prior to outflow however no waste filtering measures are currently installed on this tank to prevent the release of solid waste into open water.
• Are measures in place to prevent the escapes from the facility of the farmed species and non-target species that may survive and subsequently reproduce:
Yes. The pipe which feeds the inflow of water to the tank holding Koi Carp is suitably screened to prevent to loss of any stock upstream. Due to the water pressure and gradient of the pipe that feeds the inflow of water, an escape upstream would be unlikely. The tank is also double screened at outflow with suitably installed and maintained stainless steel mesh screens to prevent the loss of stock. Water from the site is discharged into the sea, Koi carp are not an anadromous species of fish and therefore would not survive in a salt water environment.
• Are measures in place to prevent the loss of reared specimens or non-target species and other biological material, including pathogens due to factors such as predators (e.g. birds) and flooding:
Site is indoors and is lockable to prevent unauthorised entry to the site. Tanks are suitably screened to prevent the loss of reared specimens at both the inflow and discharge points.
• For predators is there predator control plan and what are the measures in place to prevent predation:
The site follows and adheres to a suitable pest control management plan. The site is situated indoors, traps for rodents are managed in house and checked regularly. The site has no history of stock mortality due to predation.
• For flooding what is the distance of the facility from open waters:
30m to the sea. The site has no history of previous flooding.
• Are measures are in place to prevent losses of reared specimens or non-target species and other biological material, including pathogens, due to theft or vandalism:
Site is indoors and lockable. The entrance to the site is gated and lockable.
• Are dead organisms disposed of in an appropriate method:
Yes. Mortalities are removed daily and stored in a secure, lidded mortality container which is disposed of via landfill.
• Is transport carried out under conditions that prevent the escape of the species and any non-target species:
Koi carp have not been moved from the site since the date of input. If fish are to be moved they will be transported by the site operator in a secure, lidded fish bin and transported by pick up truck. Water will be oxygenated and there will be no water exchange points or bus stop deliveries during transport.
Itwasdetermined thatthefacilities andtheir current operation donotmeet therequirements ofaclosed aquaculture facility under Article 3(3) ofassimilated regulation No708/2007 (708/2007) and arean
‘open’ aquaculture facility and apermit isrequired. Information has been shared with, and isbeing considered by,theAdvisory Committee toprogress thepermit application, which willbedealt with outwith this case. [Original PDF]

Case Number: 2025-0108

Download Only 2 tanks of RTR stocked. Fish were observed shoaling well and appeared to be in good health, no clinical signs of disease were observed. Remaining RTR will be harvested soon and sold locally. 1 Tank of Koi carp on site, all fish were observed and appeared to be in good health, no clinical signs of disease observed. Mortality has been very low since the site was last inspected, only 3 RTR mortalities have been recorded in the last 4 weeks and 0 Koi. No waste has been removed from the site since the date of last inspection, dead fish and waste are held in secure, sealed tubs on site. When full, waste is to be taken to landfill, meavag hatchery currently use the Bennadrone facility in Stornoway. No treatments have been conducted on site since the date of last inspection and no medicines are currently stored on site, although appropriate facillies are available if required.
Meavag fish farming are intending on applying for a change of species from RTR to SAL in the near future for the hatchery and
6 registered loch sites on the island. Management have been supplied with all relevant authorisation paperwork.
No movements of live fish on or off the site has occurred since the date of last inspection. [Original PDF]

Source