Inspection reports

Case Number: 2023-0283

Download Applecross 3 new sites
Applecross Smolt Unit 2- almost complete and looking to stock 2-3 weeks time from Applecross Smolt unit. Was able to inspect all the site.
Applecross ongrowing 1- will be complete in August 2023 and was able to inspect some of the site
Applecross ongrowing 2 - will not be complete until October 2024 - not able to inspect any of the site.
One transfere line for all three sites - underground with no water return. Line out from each site joining I output pipe.
Smolt Unit 2 and Ongrowing 1 share a grading area separate from the sites. Ongrowing 2 will have its own grading area.
Sites will have site specific staff generally. Smolt unit 2 and ongrowing one are entered from a communal service corridor which has shared office and canteen space. Entry into the sites is via two separate rooms where PPE and disinfection will be carried out prior to entry. The rooms were available for inspection but sinks benches and storage for the PPE was yet to be added. Smolt Unit 2 and Ongrowing 1 have a one way fire door out of the site into the service corridor but these doors will only be used for emergency exit. Both sites will share a common food silo from where food will be piped into the sites. Ongoing 2 will have a separate food silo.
Each site will have a mort disposal cone which Morts will be tipped into and pumped to a mort disposal tank off site from where morts will be pumped into tankers for disposal. Destination not determined yet.
The plan is to grow the fish on site to 450g with an estimate of 10 million fish capacity once all three sites are running.
Vaccination will be carried out prior to input at Hatcher 2 and ongrowing 1 and 2.
All three sites will be full recirculation Smolt 2; 4 tanks 1185m cubed, Ongrowing 1; 2300m cubed, Ongrowing 2; 2300m cubed.
• Info on site separation, connectivity and movement of staff and fish between different areas/sites. Is access only from separate external doors to each site? Or are there internal doors/passages for moving between sites? Are there any fire escape routes which compromise site separation and biosecurity?
Fish will be moved on from the Applecross Hatchery for ongowing at Applecross smolt unit and Ongrowing 1 and 2.
Ongrowing 2 is not build and is due for completion in October 2024. I therefore recommend that authorisation for this site is considered at a later date when the site can be assessed. From conversations it seems that the site will be totally separate from smolt unit 2 and Ongrowing 1 although attached.
Smolt unit 2 and Ongrowing 1 are physically septate with floor to ceiling walls. They will share a service corridor which will include shared canteen and office facilities however to access each of the sites you will need to pass through one of two
PPE/disinfection rooms on either side of the service corridor. One for each site. In addition each site will have a emergency exit which will operate one way from the site into the service corridor. I was informed this would not routinely be used and only used in emergencies.
At the time of inspection the PPE/disinfection rooms were empty but I was informed disinfection points, PPE storage facilities and sinks would be put in place prior to stocking. The emergency exits were operating as a two way door but I was informed this will also be changed to a one way door with the standard fire door bar on one side. My inspection of Ongrowing 1 was limited as it is still a building site – due for completion in August 2023. I was able to view the shared service corridor and two of the tanks. I was not able to access the water treatment area for Ongrowing 1. I was informed staff would generally be assigned to work at only one site.
There is also a second area that serves the two sites. A communal grading area which is accessed externally and can supply fish to either Smolt unit 2 or ongrowing 1.
Provided the sites are operated as described I saw no risk of cross contamination between the two sites. [Original PDF]

Case Number: 2023-0513

Download Toxic ammonia issue in 26/07/23 - 01/08/23 caused by a blocked waste discharge pipe. Approx. 213,000 fish (31%) lost in total. Facility had been open for 2 months before issue and this was the first batch of fish on site. The blockage was caused by a foreign object being dropped. The pipe now has a grate over it to stop anything similar happening in the future. The pipe was unblocked asap and fish transferred to sea.
Prior to toxicity issue, mortality was increased due to salinity supply issue on site. This increased Saprolegnia and approx.
21,000 fish lost (2.3%). The salinity supply issue has since been rectified. The fish were sent to Tarbert South. Veterinary approval received to transfer the fish to sea.
Ongrowing 1 to be stocked in December 2023. Ongrowing 2 to be stocked in Q3 2024 (approx.)
Salinity can be increased post vaccination if health issues arise. Background salinity kept at 2ppt and raised to 5ppt to treat minor issues such as fungus post treatment.
Fish smoltification slowed artificially by controlling light exposure and temperature. Temp is kept at a constant 12 degrees C.
Before transfer to sea, light exposure to be increased. [Original PDF]

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