Fish Health Inspectorate Annual Report of Operations and
Activities, 2014
Summary
Aquatic animal health surveillance conducted during 2014 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. The work undertaken by the FHI helps to safeguard
production and contributes to the future sustainability of aquaculture within Scotland. The
industry has an estimated value in excess of £600 million and is a significant economic
resource, representing Scotland’s largest food export. Annual production has increased
over time, and sustainable growth targets exist for future growth by 2020, within both fish
and shellfish sectors.
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. During 2014,
two cases of Bacterial Kidney Disease were detected within rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus
mykiss). A suspected case of Infectious Salmon Anaemia virus was investigated but was not
confirmed. Control measures in place for Viral Haemorrhagic Septicaemia virus, following its
detection in 2012, were withdrawn.
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 and
2013. 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 requirements.
The FHI maintained its high standards of delivery and service, retaining its accredited status
under the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS).
Fish and shellfish farms, inspections and findings
Fish and Shellfish farms
In 2014, 11 new businesses were authorised and 27 new sites were registered. In addition
34 put-and-take fisheries were registered. Eight businesses relinquished authorisation and
43 sites were deregistered. There were 232 modifications to authorisations / registrations
and approximately 3000 minor changes to the site details held on the Marine Scotland
database.
As of 21st April 2015 there were 225 authorised aquaculture production businesses
operating at 851 farm sites (fish and shellfish), 785 registered put-and-take fisheries, and 3
authorised processing establishments.
Further information is available regarding the authorisation and registration process on the
Marine Scotland website. A map of the current active sites1 can be viewed on Scotland’s
Aquaculture web site.
Inspections
During 2014 a total of 536 inspections were conducted across aquaculture sites in Scotland.
In addition, diagnostic investigations were conducted at put-and-take fisheries (4 cases) and
within wild aquatic animals in freshwater and marine environments (7 cases). Please refer to
Annex 1 for a breakdown of the number of cases and case types conducted per region for
the year.
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 infections 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 2014 the presence of one listed disease2 (BKD), highlighted in yellow in Annex 2,
was detected within farmed fish within Scotland. Two cases of BKD were detected from
mainland Scotland within populations of rainbow trout held on aquaculture production sites.
A suspected case of Infectious Salmon Anaemia was investigated towards the end of the
year. The presence of the virus was not confirmed and the control measures which had been
placed on a precautionary principle were withdrawn as suspicion was ruled out. In this case
there was insufficient evidence to confirm the presence of the virus or suggest the presence
of ISA disease. The evidence suggests that any virus particles which were present related
to the HPR0 strain of ISAv which has not been shown to be pathogenic in aquatic animals.
Movement controls which had been placed during 2012 and 2013, following the detection of
VHS virus within wrasse (Labridae) species in the Shetland Islands in 2012 were withdrawn.
The confirmed sites underwent satisfactory clearance and fallowing and no new cases of
VHS were detected within 2014.
Movement controls remain in place for Bonamia ostreae within both Loch Sunart and West
Loch Tarbert. As part of the statutory sampling programme to screen for the presence of
Bonamia ostreae and Marteilia refringens, 11 samples, each comprising of 30 shellfish, were
An active site is in accordance with Scotland’s Aquaculture website is defined as an aquaculture site
that has either actively produced fish or shellfish in the last 3 years or which is fallow as a part of a
planned production cycle.
2 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
1
taken from farmed (7 samples) and wild (4 samples) European oyster (Ostrea edulis)
populations. All samples tested negative.
The location of areas which are presently under restriction for listed diseases are detailed
through a series of maps which are regularly updated and made available through the
Marine Scotland website.
Bacterial Kidney Disease
There were two cases of Bacterial Kidney Disease (BKD). Both cases relate to freshwater
rainbow trout sites, one in Tayside which was already subject to movement restrictions and
one in Strathclyde. Movement restrictions were placed on the site in Strathclyde accordingly.
Both sites continue to be subject to movement restrictions for BKD. Follow up investigations
and contact testing did not reveal further spread of BKD to any of the connected sites.
Other diseases
Amoebic Gill Disease
Amoebic Gill Disease (AGD), caused by the protozoan parasite Neoparamoeba perurans,
continued to affect Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) sites during 2014. Industry focus continues
to help improve early detection allowing prompt intervention to mitigate the impact of AGD.
Anisakis
A nematode parasite found in the body cavity of many commercially exploited species of
wild fish in the North Atlantic. When found in large numbers in the vent tissue of wild Atlantic
salmon it is thought to be the causative agent of Red Vent Syndrome (RVS). RVS was first
extensively reported in 2007 and has been observed in wild salmon in over 50 rivers in
Scotland. A small number of cases have been reported in wild sea trout (Salmo trutta) but
farmed Atlantic salmon have not been reported to be affected. The 3 cases reported in 2014
were related to Atlantic salmon in fresh water.
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 2014 clinical disease associated with infection from the following bacteria was
detected:




Flavobacteriaceae spp
Tenacibaculum spp
Moritella viscosa
Vibrionaceae family

Vibrio spp
Epitheliocystis
At least three bacterial organisms are known to target the epithelial cells of the gill lamellae
in fresh and sea water leading to Epitheliocystis. Clinical signs include lethargy induced by
gill inflammation, leading to hyperventilation, flared opercula and increased mucus
production. Epitheliocystis is thought to contribute to the condition known as proliferative gill
inflammation (PGI). The 3 cases observed by the inspectorate in 2014 were all in Atlantic
salmon in sea water.
Nephrocalcinosis
Nephrocalcinosis is a condition linked to high ambient free carbon dioxide levels or
nutritional aspects involving magnesium deficiency or selenium toxicity. Mortality is generally
low and clinical observations include white chalky deposits in the kidney. It occurs in
intensively farmed salmonids. In 2014 cases were detected in rainbow trout and Atlantic
salmon in fresh water and from Atlantic salmon in seawater. The condition can continue to
develop after fish have been transferred into seawater.
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 2014. The introduction and
application of a vaccine has helped to reduce the extent of clinical disease in recent years.
Saprolegnia
Saprolegnia is a widespread and common fungal like infection found in both farmed and wild
salmonids at all stages in fresh water. Clinical signs of disease are observed as “cotton wool
like” tufts on eggs, gills or lesions of fish. The three recorded cases in 2014 comprised one
wild and one farmed Atlantic salmon, along with one farmed rainbow trout.
Sea lice
Sea lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis and Caligus elongatus) 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 2014, 16 escape investigations were conducted by the fish health inspectorate.
Further details regarding escape incidents are published on the Scottish Government
website.
Non-compliance and enforcement action
Throughout 2014 230 non-conformities3 were detected:

32 cases related to trade irregularities and all were resolved through communication
with the site operator or competent authority in the country of origin.

48 cases involving non-conformities relating to the inspection process under the
Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Act 2007, 32 cases were resolved through
imposed deadlines, 16 cases involved minor non-compliances and did not require
further follow-up action.

150 cases were identified through casework; 136 relating to anomalies in record
keeping and 14 regarding breaches in authorisation conditions. All cases were
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 2014 the FHI continued to work to the standard detailed within the Fish Health
Inspectorate Charter.
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 2014 eight 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
3
Please note, not all non-conformities are always detected through the surveillance and inspection
process, hence there may be differences in the data presented here and within the 2014 summary
spread sheet at Annex 1.
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 group initiatives including:

the Healthier Fish Working Group

the Containment Working Group

the Shellfish 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 2014 a total of 128 cases were
handled either as applications (94 cases), reviews (6 cases) or concerning the provision of
advice (28 cases) in relation to Marine Scotland’s responsibility regarding the issuing of
marine licenses. In addition, comments were provided in relation to 39 applications for
Marine Licences relating to wellboat discharges on fish farm sites, and 12 applications made
under The Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2011.
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.
Alien and locally absent species
In October 2014 a public consultation was launched seeking comments on the proposed
Alien and Locally Absent Species in Aquaculture (Scotland) Regulations.
These regulations aim to ensure adequate protection of aquatic habitats from the risks
associated with the use of alien and locally absent species in aquaculture whist continuing to
support the sustainable development of the Scottish aquaculture industry.
The regulations came into force on the 3 April 2015.
Commercially damaging species
During 2014 the policy and regime regarding the commercially damaging species was
developed and implemented. At present, this policy is restricted to the mussel species
Mytilus trossulus. No reports of commercially damaging species were received in 2014.
Annex 1 – Summary of inspections and findings for 2014
Link to 2014 annual summary spreadsheet
Annex 2 - Results summary table for 2014
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.
Result Type
Aeromonas spp - AERO
Amoebic gill disease - AMGD
Anisakis simplex (parasitology) - ANIP
Unidentified bacterial infection (histology)- BACT
BKD Renibacterium salmoninarum (PCR) - BKDP
Capriniana – CAPR
Cestode –CEST
Chryseobacterium - CHRY
Cardiomyopathy syndrome - CMPS
Costia (Ichthyobodo) species - COST
Diplostomum species – DIPL
Epitheliocystis - EPIT
Flavobacteriaceae family - FLAF
Flavobacterium spp - FSPE
Flavobacterium psychrophilum – FPSY
Unidentified fungus – FUNG
Aeromonas salmonicida (histology) – FURH
Gyrodactylus derjavinoides - GDER
Glugea anomala – GLUG
Gyrodactylus species - GYRO
Spironucleus species – HSPP
Ichthyophonus hoferi - ICHO
Ichthiophthyrius multifillis - IMUL
IPN (histology) - IPNH
IPN (virus isolation) - IPNV
ISA (real time qPCR - heart & kidney) - ISAQ
Microsporidium - MICR
Nephrocalcinosis - NEPH
Proliferative kidney disease (PKD) Histology – PKDH
Piscine myocarditis virus (CMS) (PCR) - PMVP
Unidentified protozoan – PROT
Piscine reovirus (HSMI) (PCR) - PRVP
Pseudomonas fluorescens - PSFL
Pseudomonas spp - PSPE
Puffy skin (histology) – PUFS
Red mark syndrome (histology) - RMSH
BKD Renibacterium salmoninarum (histo) - RSBA
4
No of positive cases
1
12
3
3
2
1
2
1
2
1
1
3
2
4
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
24
1
6
2
1
1
2
2
2
1
2
2
Despite the positive results obtained for ISAv through molecular genetics testing, in this case there
was insufficient evidence to confirm the presence of the virus or suggest the presence of ISA disease.
The evidence suggests that any virus particles which were present related to the HPR0 strain of ISAv
which has not been shown to be pathogenic in aquatic animals.
BKD Renibacterium salmoninarum (ELISA) - RSEL
Salmonid alphavirus (SAV) (histology) - SALH
Salmonid alphavirus (SAV) (PCR) - SALP
Saprolegnia spp - SAPR
Salmonicola salmonea - SASA
Suspect bacterial infection – SBIN
Shewanella spp - SHEW
Tenacibaculum maritimum - TENA
Tenacibaculum spp - TENC
Trichodina spp - TRIC
Unidentified bacteria (culture) - UBAC
Vibrionaceae family - VIBR
Vibrio species (histology) – VSHI
Vibrio spp (culture) - VSPE
Moritella viscosa - VVIS
Yersinia ruckeri (ERM) - YRUK
2
8
4
3
2
3
2
1
3
1
5
3
1
18
3
2