Guidelines

Invasive Species Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP): Aquaculture managers are encouraged to introduce a HACCP system to help identify risks, procedures to limit the opportunity of non target species transfer and the appropriate time to take action when moving aquaculture species and equipment.

Download the template HACCP system:

• Template HACCP Approach for Aquaculture MS Excel Version

Inspect – remove – dispose – report: Removing build up of plant and animal material from equipment or the hull of boats is effective at preventing further colonisation by invasive species. Prevent the spread of invasive species when moving equipment and culture material to a new area by always following these guidelines:

• Clean all parts of equipment, boats and trailer that come into contact with the water.
• Remove any visible plant, fish, animal material and mud.
• Use damp cloths and vacuum sanders to keep paint, debris, and cleaners out of the water.
• Do not allow rinse water to return to the marine environment. Many organisms can remain viable even in small (sometimes microscopic) quantities.
• Do not move fouled vessels or equipment from one area to another.
• Keep good records or when equipment and boats are due to have antifouling renewed.
• Report any organism you suspect may be a high risk species.
• Watch out for hitchhikers on ropes and chains.
• Read more about how you can prevent the build up of biofouling.

Remove unused equipment and stock: Equipment and seed stock should not be left in the environment if it is no longer used by the grower or the grower is no longer able to maintain the installation.

Biofouling control on aquaculture equipment: Biofouling can be a costly problem for the aquaculture sector. Uncontrolled biofouling on aquaculture infrastructure and stock leads to increased maintenance costs and production losses (low growth/poorer quality).

During the normal course of farming operations, naturally occurring biofouling including mussels; barnacles; marine plants; and other marine invertebrate animals can collect on culture equipment and on cultured species themselves. However, invasive species can also foul aquaculture equipment and species. These species can increase costs, reduce yields and also use the installation as a stepping stone to colonise natural ecosystems.

There are economic incentives for the sector to develop management practices that reduce the impact and requirement to discard non-target species on their product/s and equipment, while ensuring their site can be operated in a long-term sustainable manner. Actions include:

Ensure compliance with the ICES Code of Practice on the Introductions and Transfers of Marine Organisms 2005:

The ICES code aims to reduce the ecological, environmental, economic and genetic impacts associated with the transfer of species utilised in aquaculture activities. While Government is responsible for some of the actions in this code others lie solely with the aquaculture sector for implementation. Familiarise yourself with this code and its requirements for new species introductions and species already utilised in aquaculture.

Promotion of native species and biodiversity: Ireland’s biodiversity has been put under pressure in recent years due to threats such as increased construction and development, intensive farming, inappropriate habitat management and the introduction of non-native species. Promoting native species will contribute to the efforts to halt the loss of biodiversity by 2010. Further information on biodiversity in Ireland can be found on the Notice Nature (www.noticenature.ie) and the It’s in our Nature websites (www.biodiversityni.com).