Fish Health Inspectorate Annual Report of Operations and
Activities, 2013
Summary
Aquatic animal health surveillance conducted during 2013 by Marine Scotland’s Fish Health
Inspectorate (FHI) helped to maintain the high health status of Scotland and the United
Kingdom with respect to listed disease. A programme of inspections was conducted to
ensure that satisfactory measures were in place in relation to the control, reduction and
prevention of sea lice, as well as the containment of fish, prevention of escapes and
recovery of escaped fish, with respect to fish farm sites in Scotland.
Appropriate control measures have been enforced in situations where listed disease and/or
the pathogens responsible for causing listed diseases have been identified. This includes the
detection of Viral Haemorrhagic Septicaemia virus within wrasse (Labridae) species in the
Shetland Islands and the occurrence of Bacterial Kidney Disease within rainbow trout
(Oncorhynchus mykiss) on the Scottish mainland.
Communication with a wide range of stakeholders was undertaken on a number of aquatic
animal health and aquaculture issues. This involved issuing advice, recommendations and
taking enforcement action with respect to compliance with The Aquatic Animal Health
(Scotland) Regulations 2009 and the Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Act 2007. In
general the aquaculture industry was largely compliant with the requirements of the aquatic
animal health legislation with the majority of non-compliance relating to record keeping.
The FHI maintained its high standards of delivery and service, retaining its status under the
United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS).
Fish and shellfish farms, inspections and findings
Fish and Shellfish farms
In 2013, 4 businesses and 29 sites were authorised. In addition 105 fisheries were
registered. 13 businesses and 35 sites were deregistered. There were 214 modifications to
authorisations / registrations and approximately 2,786 minor changes to the site details held
on the Marine Scotland database.
As of 20 March 2014 there were 220 authorised aquaculture production businesses and 725
authorised sites (fish and shellfish), 748 registered fisheries, and 3 authorised processing
sites.
Further information is available regarding the authorisation and registration process on the
Marine Scotland website. A map of the current active fish farms can be viewed on Scotland’s
Aquaculture web site.
Inspections
During 2013 a total of 490 inspections were conducted across aquaculture sites in Scotland.
This total also includes diagnostic investigations associated with aquatic animals in wild
freshwater and marine environments (6 cases), put-and-take fisheries (2 cases) and one
case associated with a domestic ornamental pond. Please refer to Annex 1 for a breakdown
of the number of cases and case types conducted per region.
Detection of diseases and their significance
Annex 2 provides a summary of all positive results obtained by the FHI in relation to the
Aquatic Animal Disease surveillance programme. It is important to remember that this is not
a comprehensive list of all disease outbreaks or pathogen isolations. This list is a summary
of the results obtained from FHI cases where sampling has been undertaken.
It should also be noted that the presence of the agent which can cause a specific disease is
not always indicative of the presence of the actual disease itself, i.e. animals can act as
carriers of pathogens and test positive for the pathogen without exhibiting any clinical signs
of disease.
Listed diseases and diseases which are controlled
During 2013 the presence of two listed diseases1, highlighted in yellow in Annex 2, was
detected within farmed fish within Scotland. The cases relate to Viral Haemorrhagic
Septicaemia (VHS) and Bacterial Kidney Disease (BKD), please refer to Annex 2. In addition
to these two diseases, Gaffkaemia was also identified within European lobsters (Homarus
gammarus).
Viral Haemorrhagic Septicaemia
Positive VHS results were obtained from two marine Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) sites
across five different cases. The virus was isolated from wrasse species, held on site for the
purpose of sea lice control, and was also isolated from poor cod (Trisopterus minute), wild
fish which were inadvertently cohabiting the sea cages containing farmed salmon. Both
cases relate to the epidemiological investigation which was associated with the discovery of
VHS within wrasse on a Shetland fish farm site towards the end of 2012. The presence of
VHS virus or clinical disease associated with VHS has not been found within any Atlantic
salmon populations associated with these positive sites. During 2013 movement restrictions
were in place on 6 sites within the Shetland Isles. Further investigations were conducted, on
a wider basis at fish farm sites stocking wrasse across Scotland, the results of these
investigations were negative. More detail can be obtained through the report on the
epidemiological investigation conducted following the discovery of VHS in wrasse.
Bacterial Kidney Disease
There were two cases of Bacterial Kidney Disease. One case at a freshwater rainbow trout
site in Argyll where movement restrictions were placed while a follow up statutory inspection
was conducted. On this occasion, the statutory inspection revealed no further suspicions of
clinical BKD and the movement restrictions were revoked. There was a second case where
clinical BKD was confirmed at a freshwater rainbow trout farm in Strathclyde. The two
positive results for BKD were obtained from the same fish farm site during the same case.
Movement restrictions have been placed and remain in force.
1
As specified within Annex IV Part II of Council Directive 2006/88/EC and within Schedule 1 of The
Aquatic Animal Health (Scotland) Regulations 2009
Gaffkaemia
Aerococcus viridans (the causative agent of gaffkaemia) was isolated from a sample of
European lobster (Hommarus gammarus) from South Uist. The lobsters originated from wild
stocks but were subsequently being held in containment prior to retail sale when the testing
for A. viridans was undertaken. Gaffkaemia is not a listed disease, but movements of
animals on or off affected facilities can be controlled through the provisions within the Sea
Fisheries (Shellfish) Act 1967. In this case, movement restrictions were not applied as the
facilities were fallow by the time the positive result was obtained. The FHI provided advice in
relation to the cleaning and disinfection of the holding facilities.
Other diseases
Amoebic Gill Disease
Amoebic Gill Disease (AGD), caused by the protozoan parasite Neoparamoeba perurans,
continued to affect Atlantic salmon sites during 2013. Industry focus on this issue has helped
improve early detection and together with collaborative treatment strategies are measures
which are believed to have had a positive influence on reducing the impact of AGD
experienced in 2013.
Bacterial infections
In the majority of cases the isolation of bacteria from aquatic animals results from some form
of secondary infection. Bacteria are extensive within the marine and freshwater
environments and whilst they are often not the primary cause of mortality or disease, their
presence can have a significant impact upon their host.
Where aquatic animals are in poor condition or suffering from excessive stress then bacterial
infection can result. Clinical outbreaks of disease occur and can result in widespread
septicaemia, internal and external haemorrhaging, inflammation, and the presence of lesions
varying in size and location.
During 2013 clinical disease associated with infection from the following bacteria was
detected. The host species are detailed in brackets:




Moritella viscosa (Atlantic salmon)
Vibrionaceae (Atlantic salmon)
Listonella anguillarum (Lumpsuckers (Cyclopterus Lumpus))
Vibrio spp. (Atlantic salmon and common mussels (Mytilus edulis))
Infectious Pancreatic Necrosis (IPN) virus
Infectious Pancreatic Necrosis (IPN) is an infectious viral disease affecting a wide range of
different fish species. Clinical disease is most prevalent within Atlantic salmon juvenile and
post smolt stages2. The virus is robust and can infect all stages of fish. The development
and application of a vaccine has helped reduce the impact of IPN within countries farming
Atlantic salmon. Clinical outbreaks are still experienced across Scotland.
2
Post smolt refers to the stage directly following transfer to sea
Oyster Herpes Virus
A variant of Oyster Herpes Virus was detected within farmed Pacific oysters (Crassostrea
gigas) within mainland Scotland. The virus that was detected was not the listed variant
(Oyster Herpes Virus micro variant) and therefore no official control measures were
implemented, or further action taken.
Salmonid Alphavirus
Salmonid alphavirus (SAV) can manifest itself as sleeping disease in fresh water (notably
within rainbow trout populations) and as pancreas disease in sea water (within Atlantic
salmon). Pancreas disease is a significant problem within Scotland and a number of clinical
cases were detected through the FHI surveillance programme in 2013. The introduction and
application of a vaccine has helped to reduce the extent of clinical disease in recent years.
Sea lice
Sea lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis and Caligus elongates) are naturally occurring ectoparasites present within the marine environment infesting both wild and farmed salmonids
along with other marine species of fish. The control of sea lice within aquaculture remains
one of the most significant issues for the Atlantic salmon sector within Scotland. The
inspection process conducted by the FHI seeks to ensure that best practice and satisfactory
measures are in place with respect to the control, reduction and prevention of sea lice on
aquaculture animals.
Containment and escapes
During 2013, 10 escape investigations were conducted by the fish health inspectorate.
Further details regarding escape incidents are published on the Scottish Government
website and can be accessed by clicking here.
Non-compliance and enforcement action
In accordance with the current aquatic animal health, aquaculture and fisheries regulations,
three enforcement notices were issued during 2013. Two of these notices were served in
relation to record keeping, the third notice was served in relation to issues surrounding
containment. In all cases, the conditions of the enforcement notices were met and the issues
were resolved.
Throughout 2013, a further 139 non-conformities3 were detected:
3

8 cases related to trade irregularities and all were resolved through communication
with the site operator.

19 cases involving non-conformities relating to the inspection process under the
Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Act 2007, 13 cases were resolved through
Please note, not all of the non-conformities were detected through the surveillance and inspection
process, hence the difference in data within the 2013 summary spread sheet at Annex 1.
imposed deadlines, 6 cases involved minor non-compliances and did not require
further follow-up action.

112 cases relating to the failure to comply with authorisation conditions, 4 cases
resulting in the issuing of warning letters and 108 cases resolved through issuing
advice.
In general the aquaculture industry is largely compliant with the requirements of the aquatic
animal health legislation. The majority of non-compliances are administrative in nature and
relate directly to record keeping issues.
Standards
During 2013 the FHI continued to work to the standard detailed within the Fish Health
Inspectorate Charter. A copy of the charter is available here.
UKAS accreditation
The FHI was subjected to external audit by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service
(UKAS). The audit was successfully passed with no mandatory findings. Accreditation was
maintained under ISO17020.
Inspector competency audits
During 2013 three Fish Health Inspectors were audited against the standards associated
with ISO17020 with respect to on-site inspection and sampling. This process is undertaken
as part of a rolling programme to ensure inspector competency with respect to field and
laboratory based activities relevant to the aquatic animal health surveillance programme.
Other significant activities
Contributing to developing legislation
The FHI, with colleagues within Marine Scotland and wider Scottish Government, have
contributed to the development of new European Legislation. This includes the Animal
Health Regulation (AHR) and the recast of the existing Official Feed and Food Controls EU
2004/882. The AHR will eventually replace the existing Council Directive 2006/88 concerning
animal health requirements for aquaculture animals and the control of diseases within
certain aquatic animals. The AHR aims to amalgamate a number of existing directives to
streamline regulations relating to animal health, plant health and aquatic animal health.
Providing advice on aquaculture and aquatic animal health issues

revision of the OIE Manual of diagnostic tests and Aquatic Code
Supporting ministerial groups initiative including:

the Healthier Fish Working Group

the Containment Working Group
Acting as statutory consultee for Aquaculture Planning Applications
The FHI provide Marine Scotland Science’s response to local authorities as a statutory
consultee in the Aquaculture Planning process. During 2013 a total of 172 cases were
handled either as applications (105 cases), reviews (35 cases) or concerning the provision of
advice (32 cases) in relation to Marine Scotland’s responsibility regarding the issuing of
marine licenses.
Publication of case information
Information relating to the inspection and operational activities of Marine Scotland’s Fish
Health Inspectorate is published on a regular basis. Summary and full case information is
available on the Scottish Government website by clicking here.
Annex 1 – Summary of inspections and findings for 2013
Link to 2013 annual summary spreadsheet
Annex 2 - Results summary table for 2013
Result Type
Aeromonas hydrophila
Amoebic gill disease
Anisakis simplex (parasitology)
Argulus foliaceus
Aerococcus viridans (Gaffkaemia)
Unidentified bacterial infection (histology)
Bacterial Kidney Disease - Renibacterium salmoninarium (PCR)
Cardiomyopathy syndrome
Cocci
Epitheliocystis
Flavobacteriaceae family
Flavobacterium spp
Unidentified fungus
Gyrodactylus derjavinoides
Gill parasites
Infectious Pancreatic Necrosis (histology)
Infectious Pancreatic Necrosis (virus isolation)
Listonella anguillarum
Microsporidium
Nephrocalcinosis
Oyster Herpes Virus (PCR)
Unidentified parasite
Pasteurella spp
Piscine myocarditis virus (CMS) (PCR)
Pseudomonas fluorescens
Pseudomonas spp
Bacterial Kidney Disease - Renibacterium salmoninarum (histo)
Rainbow trout fry syndrome (histology)
Salmonid alphavirus (SAV) (histology)
Salmonid alphavirus (SAV) (PCR)
Saprolegnia spp
Shewanella spp
Tenacibaculum maritimum
Tenacibaculum spp
Trichodina spp
Unidentified bacteria (culture)
Viral Haemorrhagic Septicaemia (virus isolation)
Vibrionaceae family
Vibrio spp (culture)
Moritella viscosa
Yersinia ruckeri (Enteric Red Mouth)
No of positive cases
1
7
1
1
1
18
1
2
1
6
1
3
2
1
2
6
10
1
1
2
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
9
3
1
2
2
1
1
6
5
2
13
5
1
NB. In some instances the same pathogen from the same case will be reported by two different
methods of detection, e.g. infectious pancreatic necrosis; IPN histology (IPNH) and IPN virus
isolation (IPNV). Result types highlighted yellow reflect listed diseases.