6.1.1.1 Aquaculture farms shall comply with local and national regulations and demonstrate legal authority for land use, water use and effluent discharge.
6.1.1.2 Aquaculture farms shall be such that adjacent and adjoining buildings, operations and land use do not interfere with the safe and hygienic operations on the property.
6.1.1.3 A risk assessment shall be conducted to evaluate and document the risk to products associated with prior land use, adjacent land use, and other environmental factors including structures and equipment. Consideration shall be given to the following: 6.1.1.4 The risk assessment shall be re-evaluated in the event of any circumstance or change that may impact on the production of safe products.
6.1.1.5 Where risks are identified, control measures shall be implemented to reduce the identified hazards to an acceptable level.
6.1.2.1 Vessels, catch landing areas and land structures shall be designed and constructed to ensure that adjacent buildings or operations do not interfere with their safe and hygienic operation.
6.1.2.2 Vessels, catch landing areas and land structures shall be designed and constructed so as to facilitate cleaning and pest control, and be free of oil, grease or other contaminants.
6.2.1.1 Aquaculture farms shall be fenced and the entry points controlled by a lock or other control entry devices. Only authorized persons may gain entry to aquaculture farms and access to products, feedstock, and water supply.
6.2.1.2 Wild catch harvest, both on vessel and landed, are to be held in clean containers and protected from unauthorized access or contamination sources.
6.2.2.1 All buildings used to store equipment, veterinary and aquaculture chemicals, or feedstock shall be designed and constructed so as to permit compliance to good hygiene practices and avoid product contamination.
6.2.2.2 Buildings designated to store equipment, veterinary and aquaculture chemicals, or feedstock shall be kept clean.
6.2.2.3 Silos, bins or other storage containers used to store feed shall be constructed of approved materials and designed to remain dry, clean and free from any dirt residues. They shall remain fit for the purpose, in an acceptable condition, enabling safe fumigation practices and prevention of pest and vermin infestation.
6.2.2.4 Storage rooms shall be designed and constructed to allow for the separate, hygienic storage of feedstuffs, veterinary chemicals, containers and equipment. Items used to dispense feed and veterinary chemicals shall be kept away from machinery, hazardous chemicals and other toxic substances.
6.2.3.1 Product contact surfaces on conveyors, harvesting and processing equipment on vessels or on aquaculture farms shall be designed and constructed to allow for the efficient handling of products. Surfaces in direct contact with products shall be constructed of materials that will not contribute a food or feed safety risk.
6.2.3.2 Provisions shall be made for the washing and storage of harvesting and processing equipment, conveyors, totes, trays containers and utensils.
6.2.3.3 Provisions shall be made to store nonfood-contact equipment separately from harvesting and processing equipment.
6.2.4.1 Feed processing equipment including knives, totes, trays, conveyors, containers and other equipment, including equipment used for fish or shellfish health, shall be suitable for use and constructed from materials that are non-toxic, smooth, impervious and easily cleaned and sanitized.
6.2.4.2 Equipment, tools, utensils and other items or materials that are used for feeding or health of fish/shellfish shall be kept in good repair, kept clean and sanitized, and stored in such a way as to avoid contamination.
6.2.4.3 Veterinary equipment, including disposable medical items, shall be fit for purpose and maintained in a clean and serviceable condition, and stored in a clean, safe, and secure store.
6.2.4.4 Water tanks shall be cleaned at a sufficient frequency so as not be a source of contamination.
6.2.4.5 Vehicles used for the transport of fish/shellfish, feedstuffs, and ice shall be fit for purpose and shall not be used to carry waste materials, chemicals or other hazardous substances that could cause contamination without thorough cleaning and inspection.
6.2.5.1 The methods and responsibility for maintenance of vessels, equipment and buildings shall be planned, scheduled and carried out in a manner that prevents any risk of contamination of products or equipment.
6.2.6.1 The methods and responsibility for the calibration and re-calibration of application, measuring, test and inspection equipment used for measuring and monitoring feed application, chemical application, and veterinary medicines shall be documented and implemented.
6.2.6.2 Equipment shall be calibrated against national or international reference standards, methods and schedules. In cases where such standards are not available, the site shall indicate and provide evidence to support the calibration reference method applied.
6.2.6.3 Calibration records shall be maintained.
6.2.7.1 The methods and responsibilities for pest prevention on the vessel, site or facilities shall be documented and implemented. The property, storage facilities, machinery and equipment shall be kept free of waste or accumulated debris so as not to attract pests and vermin.
6.2.7.2 The pest prevention program shall: 6.2.7.3 Records of pest inspections and pest applications shall be maintained.
6.2.8.1 The operation shall have a written risk assessment on animal activity in and around the production of feed, living stock, or wild catch that has been implemented and monitored.
6.2.9.1 The methods and responsibility for the cleaning of vessels, containers, fish/shellfish contact equipment, animal health equipment, and sanitary facilities shall be documented and implemented. Consideration shall be given to: 6.2.9.2 A verification schedule shall be prepared indicating the frequency of verifying the effectiveness of the cleaning of vessels, containers, fish/shellfish contact equipment, animal health equipment, and sanitary facilities, and indicating who is responsible for completing verification activities.
6.2.9.3 The effectiveness of cleaning and sanitation programs shall be regularly reviewed and adapted as needed based on environmental factors or disease risk.
6.2.9.4 A record of cleaning and sanitation activities shall be maintained.
6.3.1.1 Personnel engaged in the handling of living stock, wild catch and feedstuffs shall observe appropriate personal practices. Corrective actions shall be implemented for personnel who violate food safety practices.
6.3.1.2 Personnel suffering from, or are carriers of, an infectious disease which can be carried with food as a vehicle shall not engage in handling of living stock, wild catch and feedstuffs.
6.3.1.3 A medical screening procedure shall be in place for all employees, and will also be applicable to all visitors and contractors.
6.3.1.4 Personnel with exposed cuts, sores or lesions shall not be engaged in handling or processing of product. Minor cuts or abrasions on exposed parts of the body shall be covered with a suitable waterproof dressing.
6.3.1.5 Smoking, chewing, eating, drinking (except for water), and spitting is not permitted in any product or feed handling areas.
6.3.2.1 Toilet facilities shall be provided and designed, constructed and located in a manner that minimizes the potential risk for product contamination. 6.3.2.2 Personnel shall have clean hands and hands shall be washed by all personnel: 6.3.3.1 Protective clothing shall be effectively maintained, stored, laundered and worn so as to protect product from risk of contamination.
6.3.3.2 Where applicable, clothing including footwear shall be effectively maintained, cleaned and sanitized, and worn so as to protect product from risk of contamination.
6.3.3.3 If rubber or disposable gloves are used, the operation shall have a glove use policy and personnel shall adhere to the hand washing practices outlined above.
6.3.4.1 Jewelry and other loose objects that pose a threat to the safety of living stock shall not be worn or taken onto any product handling or feed storage operations.
6.3.5.1 All visitors and employees shall be required to remove jewelry and other loose objects and wear suitable protective clothing.
6.3.5.2 Visitors exhibiting visible signs of illness shall be prevented from entering any living stock, wild catch or feed handling areas.
6.3.5.3 Visitors must follow all personnel practices as designated by company for employees within aquaculture farms and or wild catch landing, storage and or handling areas.
6.3.6.1 Provision shall be made to store employee personal belongings away from living stock, wild catch or feed handling areas.
6.3.6.2 On-board accommodation for vessel employees shall meet regulatory requirements (where applicable) and shall be clean and dry.
6.3.6.3 Areas for meal breaks shall be designated and located away from living stock, wild catch or feed handling areas.
6.3.6.4 Potable drinking water shall be available to all employees.
6.4.1.1 Appropriate personnel practices shall be employed by employees working in feed handling, living stock or wild catch areas which include: 6.4.1.2 Measures shall be implemented to prevent cross-contamination of living or harvested product from feed, chemicals, oils and lubricants, and /or personnel.
6.4.2.1 The site shall apply good husbandry practices for the living stock under its care and shall ensure that the basic needs of the species under its control are maintained.
6.4.2.2 Employees responsible for the care and management of living stock shall be trained and competent in aquaculture practices. They shall be able to recognize the early signs of distress and disease and ensure stress to living stock is minimized.
6.4.2.3A written procedure regarding the handling of living stock shall be implemented and maintained. The procedure shall assure that employees handling living stock ensure that: 6.4.2.4 Materials and equipment that comes in contact with living stock shall be clean and in good repair.
6.5.1.1 Water for production of living stock shall be drawn from a known clean source or treated to make it suitable for use.
6.5.1.2 Water for aquaculture shall be sourced from a location and in a manner that is compliant with prevailing regulations.
6.5.1.3 The site shall conduct an analysis of the hazards to the water supply from source through to application, establish acceptance criteria for the monitoring of water and validate and verify the integrity of the water used to ensure it is fit for the purpose.
6.5.1.4 Where water for production of living stock is stored in tanks, the site shall ensure that the tanks are not a source of contamination.
6.5.1.5 Waste system intended to convey human or animal waste shall be separated from conveyances utilized to deliver water for the production of living stock, cleaning of equipment, or ice production.
6.5.2.1 In circumstances where water for production of living stock is treated to render it acceptable, the water, after treatment shall conform to the microbiological standards as outlined in element 6.5.3.
6.5.3.1 Water used for production of living stock, mixing feeds, cleaning feed and veterinary equipment, and production of ice shall comply with potable water microbiological and chemical standards in the country of production. Where necessary, water used for aquaculture shall also be tested for heavy metals and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The water management plan shall include the following: 6.5.3.2 Water and ice testing shall be part of the water management plan, as directed by the water risk assessment and current industry standards or regulations for the commodity being produced. Water analysis shall be undertaken by an approved laboratory accredited to ISO 17025 or equivalent.
6.5.3.3 Water and ice quality shall be monitored to verify it complies with the established water microbiological and chemical standard or criteria established. A verification schedule shall be prepared indicating the location and frequency of monitoring, which shall be decided by the risk assessment, best practices within country of production, or applicable legislation.
6.5.4.1 When monitoring shows that water for the production of living stock (or other uses identified under 6.5.3.1) does not meet established criteria or standard, the site shall have a corrective action plan developed which may include additional treatment for water, additional sources for water, living stock identification and disposition or other alternative actions to adequately control the identified hazards.
6.5.5.1 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) shall be developed for all uses of water during wild catch, cleaning, and ice production. The SOPs shall address: 6.5.5.2 A standard operating procedure that includes water-change schedules shall be developed for all uses of water during harvesting.
6.6.1.1 Harvested stock shall be housed and transported under conditions that minimize the risk of microbiological or chemical contamination or physical damage.
6.6.1.2 The site shall implement measures to prevent cross-contamination of living stock, wild catch, or feedstock from chemicals, cleaning agents, oils and grease, other chemicals, waste materials, or personnel.
6.6.1.3 Feed shall be stored securely in clean, dry silos or containers and handled separately from waste materials, animal medication, and hazardous chemicals.
6.6.1.4 Feed sourced from different species, growers or manufacturers shall be stored separately by using separate silos or storage areas.
6.6.1.5 Aquaculture feed shall be checked regularly for cleanliness, temperature, suitability, and freedom from molds and fungus. A record shall be maintained of feed checks.
6.6.1.6 Veterinary vaccines and medications shall be stored in secure, lockable storage, and in accordance with regulatory requirements or, in the absence of regulatory requirements, manufacturer’s instructions.
6.6.2.1 Hazardous chemicals, toxic substances, and petroleum products shall be specifically identified and stored so as not to present a hazard to employees, products, product handling equipment or areas in which harvest product is handled, stored or transported.
6.6.2.2 Product contact chemicals such as pesticides and herbicides; rodenticides, fumigants and insecticides; sanitizers and detergents shall be stored separately and in their original containers.
6.6.2.3 Chemical storage rooms or sheds shall: 6.6.2.4 Petroleum fuels, oils, grease and other lubricants shall be stored separate from other storage areas.
6.6.3.1 The methods and responsibility for loading, transport and unloading of harvested stock shall be documented and implemented.
6.6.3.2 Employees involved in loading, transport and unloading of harvested stock shall be appropriately trained.
6.7.1.1 Vaccines and medications shall be purchased from an approved supplier in accordance with applicable legislation, and be correctly labeled by the manufacturer.
6.7.1.2 No medications shall be purchased or used with the purpose of promoting growth.
6.7.1.3 An inventory of all aquaculture medications purchased and used shall be maintained, including in-feed medications. The site shall provide proof of purchase for all medications included in the inventory and used within the facility.
6.7.2.1 The methods and responsibilities indicating the use of a medication for a target disease shall be documented and implemented (i.e. animal health plan). All vaccines and medicines must be used in accordance to label instructions, including withholding periods.
6.7.2.2 Off label use of medications shall be approved and documented by a registered veterinarian.
6.7.2.3 The person making decisions on administering a vaccination medication shall: 6.7.2.4 Where veterinary medication is required to be dispensed in feed, feed shall be separately identified and stored.
6.7.2.5 Where veterinary medication is required to be dispensed in water, medicated water shall be separately identified and stored.
6.7.2.6 The site shall dispose of unused animal medications, expired medications, empty containers and disposable instruments in accordance with regulatory requirements and ensure that they are not re-used; and are isolated and securely stored while awaiting disposal.
6.7.2.7 Where some or all of the living stock are found to be infected with a notifiable disease, the site shall have a system in place to quarantine the affected stock and take appropriate action to treat or dispose of the affected stock.
6.7.3.1 Aquaculture feed shall be purchased from an approved supplier in accordance with applicable legislation and an agreed specification. A record of all aquaculture feed purchased shall be maintained.
6.7.3.2 The methods and responsibilities to maintain the safety and integrity of all aquaculture feed, whether purchased, or produced on site shall be documented and implemented (i.e. feed management plan). Aquaculture feed shall meet regulatory requirements and be managed to minimize the potential for microbiological or chemical contamination. The feed management plan shall include the following: 6.7.3.3 Feed quality shall be tested to verify that it complies with the established microbiological and chemical standard or criteria. Feed analysis shall be undertaken by an approved laboratory accredited to ISO 17025 or equivalent.
6.7.3.4 Where aquaculture feed is found to be contaminated or otherwise unsuitable for use, the site shall have a process in place to contain and remove the contaminated feed so as not to pose a food safety risk to living or harvested stock, and to clean and sanitize contaminated silos and equipment.
6.7.4.1 Chemicals shall be purchased from an approved supplier in accordance with applicable legislation. An inventory of all chemicals purchased and used shall be maintained.
6.7.4.2 The site shall dispose of chemical waste and empty containers in accordance with regulatory requirements and ensure that: 6.8.1.1 The site shall maintain a living stock record which includes current living stock on farm, stock movement, stock transactions, and stock losses. as per Primary Production system elements 2.6.1 and 2.6.2.
6.8.1.2 The site shall maintain records of living stock purchased.
6.8.1.3 Records shall be maintained of living stock treated with approved veterinary medications and shall include the application date and the withholding period for that medication.
6.8.2.1 All animal feed and feed additives shall be identified by a batch identification system and be traceable back to the source, including name and address of the supplier and the batch number or manufacturer’s identification mark. as per Primary Production system elements 2.6.1 and 2.6.2.
6.8.2.2 The site shall maintain records of the use of feed and feed additives.
6.8.3.1 Records shall be maintained of all harvested fishery products, including the delivery destination, vendor, species, lot or batch number, and date of production.
6.9.1.1 Waste materials shall be regularly removed from the farm, vessel, catch landing areas and surrounding fishery storage areas so as not to pose a food safety risk to living stock and other farm products.
6.9.1.2 The methods and responsibility for the effective and efficient disposal of all solid waste including inedible material and disused packaging, and liquid and unsanitary waste shall be documented and implemented.
6.9.1.3 Areas where solid waste materials are stored shall be kept clean.
6.9.1.4 Dead fish/seafood shall be stored outside production areas. Disposal companies shall not pass through the production facilities as part of the removal process.
6.9.2.1 Waste water and slurry from ponds shall be disposed of legally to avoid contamination of water sources and neighboring properties.
6.9.2.2 Untreated waste water and slurry from sewage handling operations shall be contained so that it does not contaminate farm ponds and water sources.
6.9.2.3 Liquid waste shall be stored in specially designed and constructed watertight containers or reservoirs, so as not to pose a food safety risk to living stock and other farm products.
