Inspection reports

Case Number: 2020-0350

Download Inspection of stock due for export to France (INTRA.GB.2020.0026007, MD20/099). 6 pens (1, 5, 17, 22, 23 & 27), 315,000 parr.
A number of fish noted to have fungus-like growth on them but all were actively swimming. 2-3 dead fish/pen observed.
Discussed with site manager that these will be removed from healthy stock prior to export of the consignment.
Disinfection certificate of the wellboat being used checked on site and accepted. [Original PDF]

Case Number: 2020-0406

Download Fallow 25/3/20 restocked 13/5/20 from Landcatch, Mingarry and Kintail
Fish moved out to Cole Deep yesterday next smolt output will be beginning Oct.
Medicine records not available. Told verbally fish on withdrawal for formalin (Aquacsen) and TMS. Small amount of fungus observed in fish. Mortalities on site attributed to fungus. Fish vaccinate about 3 weeks ago with a formalin treatment about 2 weeks ago.
While on site a fish escaped from the hand net onto the slatted walk way. Inspector caught fish before it escaped. A small hole in the hand net was repaired. Site manager told to complete a potential escapes form. Ask to implement checks for hand nets prior to use and reintroduce the use of netting placed over work surfaces when removing fish onto walkways.
Site visit undertaken at short notice. No paperwork completed at time of visit due to social distancing. Requested paperwork received 30/10/20. [Original PDF]

Case Number: 2020-0460

Download Site inspection on Sunday. Some (~2-3 per cage) dead fish observed floating in some cages. A low prevalance of fish with visible fungus-like growth observed in all pens. Between 5-10 fish per pen but these were actively swimming. Visibility was limited, the water was peaty which usually means fungus-like growth is easier to see.
Confirmed with the site manager that the pens will be skimmed of any slow moving fish near the surface prior to loading with any fish with visible fungus-like growth being removed.
7 pens inspected for export. Disinfection certificate for lorry submitted electronically 30/10/2020. Certificate
INTRA.GB.2020.0026005-V1 (MD20/098) issued on 01/11/2020. [Original PDF]

Case Number: 2021-0477

Download All fish on from Kintail, 1st - 18th June.
Morts incinerated on site
Export of 291,479- from pens 3, 14, 19, 22 and 27. All inspected and no moribund fish observed. MS/2021/0040 to Cherbourg
France. Helicopters will remove the fish from the cages onto one of 7 lorries which will transport them to a well boat at
Invergorden. Disinfection certs viewed for the 7 lorries and the wellboat the MV Migdale. Estimated time of dispatch, 9/11/1 at
17.00hrs.
Aquasen (formalin)- 9 cages tarp treatment for any fungus issues.
Tricaine used for vaccination, Spring output currently being vaccinated.
Morts for last 4 week all less than 0.1% for the site/week; wk43, 138 morts, week42; 126 morts, week41 104 morts, week40
121 morts - attributed to bird damage, fungus or unknown. Mortality levels have been very low this year.
Treatments; 2021 S0 are not on withdrawal for TMS. 2022 S1 are currently being vaccinated so are on withdrawal for TMS. All fish are on withdrawal for Aquasen (Formalin)
Unable to collect VMD samples due to adverse weather conditions. [Original PDF]

Case Number: 2021-0566

Download Site was visited earlier in the month but due to strong winds, VMD samples were unable to be collected.
Fish were vaccinated on 15th November with PD1 and Alphaject micro6.
Fish were very difficult to observe in the cages due to the dark water colour, but fish removed for sampling appeared in good condition. [Original PDF]

Case Number: 2022-0545

Download Site inspection and paper work conducted by , observed by
Visibility was poor due to dark and peaty water. A few fish were observed with light fungus in a few pens but the vast majority of fish observed appeared healthy. Fish sampled for VMD appeared healthy externally and internally.
Fish are currently in withdrawal for AQUACEN (Formalin). [Original PDF]

Case Number: 2023-0312

Download Formalin used recently to treat Costia and white spot that historically are an issue in summer months as water temperatures are at their highest. Costia and white spot have not been a problem this year as treatments have been successful. The site is treated as routine when water temperature hits 12 degrees C before signs of disease are present. Fish were last treated
26/07/2023. [Original PDF]

Case Number: 2024-0137

Download Site inspection undertaken to observe procedures for transfer of stock onto site, following reports of feral farmed fish being caught in Loch Shin.
A lorry consisting of 4 tanks arrived on site where each tank was subsequently unloaded to a tank of equal size that is secured onto a transfer barge holding 2 tanks. The barge is then towed out to the site where the fish are then pumped into the pens. All pipes are securely fastened and manned at both ends with water and oxygen levels constantly being monitored. A sample of net to be used on site is taken to source site prior to transfer to ensure it is a suitable size for incoming stock.
No issues were observed with the transfer process, with all pipework securely connected. All equipment appeared in good operational order and site procedures were followed.
A total of 1,131, 247 were transferred onto the site in May 2023 for the 2023/24 production cycle. The final output of stock from the site to sea water came to 1,068,032 with a total mortality count through this cycle of 53,577 (4.7%). There was also 2 culls during grading in August and October 2023 of 9,368 fish. This then brings the total number of fish on output, mortalities and culled for this cycle to the same number of fish upon input.
The average weight of the stock on output in February/March 2024 was 97-100g. There was a small output in October 2023 with an average weight at the time of 46-50g.
Transfer of fish onto site observed on 18/06/2024. Paperwork completed remotely on 02/07/2024. [Original PDF]

Case Number: 2024-0206

Download Site inspection conducted to assess the containment measures during the vaccination process.
The pen is initially crowded by lifting two loops and then a float line is used to crowd fish towards an uplift pipe nozzle connected to a mobile vacuum snail pump. The pipe is a flexible polypropylene clear 6 inch pipe with connectors double clamped by standard connectors (spanner tightened).
The vaccination machine is situated within a container secured to a large raft moored alongside the pens. Fish are pumped from the pen to the holding tank where they are de-watered before being transferred into the anaesthetic bath.
After dosing, the fish are then transferred onto the vaccination machine (Inoca semiautomatic) line where they are hand fed onto a belt and vaccinated and transferred to the exit pipework and flushed down through a quatro counter box, this allows the fish to be spot checked for vaccination quality and also counted before being returned to a pen via rigid 6 inch pipework.
Connections on the rigid pipework are held together with small ratchet straps fed through small slots and is supported by metal framework. Prior to work commencing the setup is inspected by the site engineer to ensure it is secure and appropriate.
Once the pen is empty the pipework continues to be flushed for several minutes to ensure no fish remain within the uplift pipe before being transferred to the next pen.
Nets on site are all dynema and are serviced by Highland Aquateam for washing, repairing and strength testing prior to use on the site (records maintained). Daily checks of nets above the waterline is conducted and prior to restocking an empty pen the net is lifted out of the water and visually inspected.
All stages of the process appeared to be secure with no containment issues noted.
The vaccination machine setup SOP was available for inspection, the setup observed was in accordance with the SOP. [Original PDF]

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