Freshwater (pre-smoltification/juvenile fish)
RSPCA welfare standards for farmed Atlantic salmon 29 September 2015
* indicates an amendment
FW 9.11* Site staff must ensure that all fish have been pre-graded before they are vaccinated.
FW 9.12* Any veterinary medicines used must be licensed in the UK for use in Atlantic salmon or authorised under an
Animal Test Certificate or an Animal Test Exemption Certificate.
FW 9.13* Anaesthetics and vaccines must be used according to manufacterers' instructions.
FW 9.14* Vaccines and anaesthetics must:
a) be on site before vaccination commences
b) only be administered to fish by suitably trained staff.
FW 9.15* Veterinary products must be properly labelled and stored appropriately.
FW 9.16 Water temperature for vaccination must be according to manufacturers' instructions.
FW 9.17* Any equipment defects must be rectified immediately, or if this is not possible measures must be taken to
avoid the welfare of the fish being compromised.
FW 9.18* All fish must be suitably anaesthetised before being vaccinated.
FW 9.19* Anaesthetic must only be administered by trained, competent personnel.
FW 9.20* There must be a team member with responsibility for monitoring oxygen levels in the anaesthetic bath and
maintaining them at 7mg/litre.
FW 9.21* The removal of fish from water or handling of the fish must only be done when necessary.
FW 9.22* If fish are handled:
a) adequate support must be given to the body
b) they must never be held by the tail only or thrown onto solid objects.
FW 9.23* Time out of water must:
a) be kept to an absolute minimum
b) never exceed 15 seconds for a live fish (unless anaesthetised).
FW 9.24* If hand nets are used, they must be:
a) of a suitable size
b) of a design which avoids physically damaging the fish
c) managed hygienically
d) in a good state of repair.
FW 9.25* Fish must not be left to die in air.
FW 9.26* Where fish are humanely dispatched at the freshwater stage this must be undertaken through an overdose
of a suitable anaesthetic.
FW 9.27* All vaccination procedures must be conducted with care and with the minimum possible stress to the fish.
FW 9.28* Fish must be continuously monitored throughout the vaccination process to ensure their welfare is
not compromised.
FW 9.29* Seriously ill, injured or moribund fish must be humanely culled without delay.