SouthWest Shetland (Management area 3a)
This farm lies within the control zone that was established on the 2 January 2009 when the first case of ISA was confirmed at a fish farm also in the Burra area west of Shetland.
Scotland Fisheries Research (FRS) Service has announced that control zones were established around the confirmed infected sites, and a surveillance zone set up around this control zone. These controls facilitate monitoring of fish farming sites in the surrounding area, as required by UK and EU regulations for the control of serious fish diseases. This control zone has increased in size with the confirmation of infection on a third site.
FRS’ Fish Health Inspectors are continuing to work in Shetland to investigate the affected sites. Investigations into the potential source and spread of ISA are continuing.
Statutory controls imposed on the movement of live and dead fish within the control and surveillance zones remain in place to minimise the risk of the spread of the infection. FRS say they continue industry regarding operating under control arrangements.
What happens next
All of the fish farm sites have been inspected by staff from the FRS Fish Health Inspectorate, with further samples being taken from some of those sites, to establish the current situation on each.
There are 40 registered fish farming sites in the south west Shetland management area, although not all of these sites are currently holding fish.
All sites holding species susceptible to, or able to act as a vector for ISA virus, will require to be fallowed (emptied of stock), cleaned and disinfected before being restocked. The length of this fallow period will vary depending upon a site by site risk evaluation.
Further Reading
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- | Go to our previous news item on this story by clicking here. |
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- | Alternatively, read our report, Sea Lice: a Parasite of Fish and Farmers Alike, by clicking here. |
