Freshwater (pre-smoltification/juvenile fish)
RSPCA welfare standards for farmed Atlantic salmon 22 September 2015
* indicates an amendment
General
*
The RSPCA is seeking to investigate the development of standards for broodstock fish for
inclusion in future editions.
There are areas of ongoing research which are designed to add to our knowledge about the
welfare of the eggs and the fish at this stage of their lifecycle. If any new scientific evidence
emanating from this research is shown to have a positive effect on the welfare of the eggs
and fish involved, the RSPCA will seek to incorporate this information into subsequent versions
of their standards. Some of this research may challenge what is at present deemed to be
established practice. For example, if it is concluded that the production of a certain type of
smolt is detrimental to its welfare, the RSPCA will not permit such fish to be produced as a part
of the RSPCA welfare standards.
FW 1.1 Eggs and juvenile fish must be produced either in-house or obtained from another Freedom Food
approved supplier.
FW 1.2 All eggs must be tested for specified fish pathogens as required under the relevant European and
national legislation.
FW 1.3 Eggs and juvenile fish supplied by third parties must be accompanied by full health documentation and
records of the parent stock as well as the eggs and juvenile fish themselves.
FW 1.4 Supply water must:
a) be of high quality (see FW 1.6)
b) if necessary, be filtered or treated with ultra violet radiation.
FW 1.5 The following maximum stocking densities must not be exceeded:
Hatchery 15,000 per California basket/tray
Multi-level 20,000 eggs per tray
First feeding tank 10,000/m2
Freshwater production tank:
Liveweight (mean) Stocking density (kg/m
3)
Up to 1gm 10
>1-5gm 20
>5-30 30
>30 50
FW 1.5.1 The site stocking plan must demonstrate that the facilities can maintain and service the requirements of the
stocking densities in FW 1.5.
If this cannot be demonstrated at assessment, then a lower stocking density will have to be
adhered to.
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