An OIE Compartments standard implies that there is a defined geographical zone surrounding the farms which is completely isolated and protected against external disease threats.
All live material such as broodfish, smolt and ova can only be circulated within the defined compartment.
The company is also subject to strict procedures, systems, controls and variance reporting as a part of the approval.
"We are very satisfied being the first ova producer outside Chile to obtain this approval," says Bára Gunnlaugsdottir CSO in StofnFiskur hf.
"The process of approval has been comprehensive, starting with a first approval by the The Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority MAST. The next step was for MAST to apply to the Chilean Fisheries and Aquaculture Authorities, Sernapesca, who finally confirmed their approval yesterday.
"Our four sites have been operated more or less according to the OIE compartment standard for a decade, and it was important for us to finally be able to document that our sites are 100 per cent bio-secure through this approval," Ms Gunnlaugsdottir explains enthusiastically.
