Fish Health Management Plan. for All Major. Salmonid Enhancement Facilities

Transcription

1 Fish Health Management Plan for All Major Salmonid Enhancement Facilities Prepared by: Don MacKinlay and Karin Howard June, 2004 All SEP FHMP Draft, June

2 Introduction... 9 Objective... 9 Target audience... 9 Document structure... 9 Annual review of Living Document... 9 Personnel duties and responsibilities Veterinarian...10 Hatchery Manager...10 Fish Health Staff...10 Contact names and numbers...10 General Principles of Fish Health Management Keeping Pathogens Out Personnel movement...11 Visitors...11 Equipment...11 Equipment movement...11 Suppliers...12 Moving fish between sites...12 Broodstock Disease Screening...12 Keeping disease from spreading Separation of Fish Groups...13 Minimizing disease within the site...13 Hygiene and disinfection - personnel...13 Hygiene and disinfection equipment...13 Mort collection...13 Monitoring Fish Health...13 Mortality classification...14 Common fish health procedures...14 Adult spawning...14 Egg disinfection...14 Egg treatments...14 Alevin treatments...15 Vaccinating fish...15 Fish Health Outbreaks...15 First steps...15 Infectious Disease Emergencies...15 Quarantine...16 Stop fish movement and/or handling...16 Disinfection and Hygiene...16 Suppliers...16 Mortality Collection...16 Determining the cause of the outbreak (outbreak investigations)...16 Site depopulation...17 Reporting to authorities...17 Communicating with other operators...17 Handling drugs and chemicals properly...17 Medicated feed storage and inventory...17 All SEP FHMP Draft, June

3 Handling and administering medicated feed...17 Treatment records...18 Chemicals and Biologicals...18 Disinfectants...18 Chemicals...18 Biologicals...19 Maintaining an optimum environment Suitable rearing environment...19 Monitoring water quality...19 Contingency planning...19 Predators...20 Keeping Fish Healthy Normal fish behavior...20 Egg take...20 Egg transport...20 Feed and Nutrition...20 Fish Handling Techniques...21 Anesthetizing fish...21 Marking fish...21 Fish transports...21 Euthanasia...22 Keeping Good Records Fish Health Records...22 Reporting to BC Fish Health Database...22 Egg Take Records...23 Impacts on Non-Enhanced Stocks Fish escape...23 Releases...23 Description of Big Qualicum River Salmonid Enhancement Facility General Description Water Source...24 River Water Quality...24 Fish Culture Objectives...24 Stock Re-Building...24 Fishery...24 Assessment...25 Description of Capilano River Salmonid Enhancement Facility General Description Water source...27 River Water Quality...27 Fish Culture Objectives...27 Stock Re-Building...27 Fishery...27 Assessment...28 Description of Chehalis River Salmonid Enhancement Facility General Description Water Source and Quality...28 Project Facilities...28 Fish Culture Objectives...29 All SEP FHMP Draft, June

4 Stock Re-Building...29 Fishery...29 Assessment...30 Description of Chilliwack River Salmonid Enhancement Facility General Description Water Source and Quality...31 Facility Description...31 Fish Culture Objectives...32 Stock Re-Building...32 Fishery...32 Assessment...33 Description of Conuma River Salmonid Enhancement Facility General Description Water Source and Quality...34 Facility Description...34 Fish Culture Objectives...34 Stock Re-Building...34 Fishery...35 Assessment...35 Description of Inch Creek Salmonid Enhancement Facility General Description Water Source and Quality...36 Facility Description...36 Fish Culture Objectives...37 Stock Re-Building...37 Fishery...37 Assessment...38 Description of Kitimat River Salmonid Enhancement Facility General Description Facility Description...39 Fish Culture Objectives...39 Stock Re-Building...39 Fishery...39 Assessment...40 Description of Little Qualicum River Salmonid Enhancement Facility General Description Water Source and Quality...41 Fish Culture Objectives...41 Stock Re-Building...41 Fishery...41 Assessment...42 Description of Nitinat River Salmonid Enhancement Facility General Description Water Source and Quality...43 Facility Description...43 Fish Culture Objectives...44 Stock Re-Building...44 Fishery...44 All SEP FHMP Draft, June

5 Assessment...45 Description of Pitt River Salmonid Enhancement Facility General Description Facility Description...45 Fish Culture...46 Stock Re-building...46 Fishery...46 Description of Puntledge River Salmonid Enhancement Facility General Description Water Quality...47 Fish Culture Objectives...47 Stock Re-Building...47 Fishery...47 Assessment...48 Description of Quinsam River Salmonid Enhancement Facility General Description Water Source and Quality...49 Facility Description...49 Fish Culture Objectives...49 Stock Re-Building...49 Fishery...50 Assessment...50 Description of Robertson Creek Salmonid Enhancement Facility General Description Water Source and Quality...51 Facility Description...51 Fish Culture Objectives...52 Stock Re-Building...52 Fishery...52 Assessment...53 Description of Snootli Creek Salmonid Enhancement Facility General Description Water Source and Quality...53 Facility Description...53 Hatchery Buildings...53 Structures...54 Other...54 Fish Culture Objectives...54 Stock Re-Building...54 Fishery...54 Assessment...55 Description of Spius Creek Salmonid Enhancement Facility General Description Water Source and Quality...56 Facility Description...56 Fish Culture Objectives...57 Stock Re-Building...57 All SEP FHMP Draft, June

6 Description of Tenderfoot Creek Salmonid Enhancement Facility General Description Water Source and Quality...57 Facility Description...57 Fish Culture Objectives...58 Stock Re-Building...58 Fishery...58 Assessment...59 Standard Operating Procedures for SEP Hatcheries Adult Broodstock Adult Capture...60 Capture Method...60 Broodstock Selection...60 Adult Transport...61 Preparing Transport Tanks...61 Loading Transport Tanks...61 Tank Transport...61 Adult Handling...61 General...61 Anaesthetic Use...61 Handling Equipment...62 Broodstock Crowding...62 Broodstock Sorting...62 Tagging Broodstock...62 Adult Holding...62 Water Quality...62 Loading Rates...63 Groups...63 Conditions...63 Records...63 Adult Treatments...64 Maturation...64 Fungus and Disease...64 Records...64 Adult Spawning...64 Pre-spawn...64 Females...65 Males...65 Adult Disease Screening...65 Records...65 Adult Carcass Disposal...66 Stream Placement...66 Other Disposal Methods...66 Eggs/Alevins Egg Take...66 Equipment...66 Egg Removal...66 Milt...67 Fertilization...67 Gamete Transport/Moving...67 Records...68 Incubation...68 Post fertilization...68 All SEP FHMP Draft, June

7 Incubation conditions...68 Health Monitoring...68 Equipment...68 Records...68 Egg/Alevin Treatment...69 Fungal/Disease...69 Marking...69 Egg Picking...69 Timing...69 Methods...69 Records...69 Juveniles Juvenile Rearing...70 Ponding Timing...70 Ponding Methods...70 Health Observations...70 Rearing Conditions...70 Cleaning...70 Records...71 Juvenile Feeding...71 Start-up Feeding...71 Feed Rates...71 Delivery Methods...71 Observation...72 Feed Storage and Handling...72 Storage...72 Handling...72 Records...72 Juvenile Mortality Collection and Disposal...72 Collection...72 Disposal...73 Records...73 Juvenile Treatments...73 Preparation...73 Method...73 Juvenile Marking...73 Marking Operation...74 Mark Type...74 Juvenile Handling...74 General...74 Equipment...74 Anaesthetic Use...74 Juvenile Transport...75 Preparation...75 Transport Conditions...75 Loading Transport Tanks...75 Tank Transport...75 Juvenile Release...76 Objectives...76 Preparation...76 Records...76 Ancillary Operations Water Supply and Discharge...76 Source...76 Monitoring...77 All SEP FHMP Draft, June

8 Sampling...77 Water Discharge...77 Chemical/Supplies Storage...77 Storage...77 Discard...78 Records...78 Container/Equipment Maintenance...78 Disinfection...78 Condition...78 Personnel and Visitor Protocols...78 Predator Control...78 Predator Deterrents...78 Capture/Kill Methods...79 Human Saftey...79 Disease Management Serious Disease Outbreak Protocols...79 Securing the Site...79 Assessment...80 Records...81 Quarantine Protocol For Viral Or Exotic Diseases...81 Secure Site...81 Isolation of Infected Group...81 Remove Mortalities...81 Disinfection Protocols For Serious Disease Outbreaks...81 Personnel and Equipment...81 Mortalities...82 Sampling Protocols for Disease Analysis...82 Collection...82 Shipping...82 Emergency Response Protocols...83 Data Collection and Management All SEP FHMP Draft, June

9 Introduction Objective This Fish Health Management Plan provides best management practice guidelines for maintaining good health conditions for cultured fish. All SEP facilities maintain an upto-date Fish Health Management Plan (FHMP) specific to their facility. Target audience This document is intended for use by staff at each SEP site for training and day-to-day contact with the fish, for fish health staff who are responsible for keeping good health status of the fish, and for management who have to make decisions about fish health. Document structure 1. General principles of fish health management: a general description of a 'best management' approach to fish culture, including the management procedures for handling fish health concerns (who does what) and a statement of the basic principles of fish health management, which are: a) Keeping pathogens out b) Keeping disease from spreading c) Maintaining an optimum environment d) Keeping the fish healthy (stress-free and provided with basic needs) e) Keeping good records of appropriate information f) Consider impacts on non-enhanced stocks. 2. Description of the facility and its resources for culturing fish: a description of the facility in terms of enhancement strategies for the species cultured, water source characterizations, containers and other support facilities. 3. Standard Operating Procedures that describe fish health management practices that are suitable for Pacific salmon with particular reference to this facility. Annual review of Living Document This document will be reviewed annually by staff to make sure it is up to date, with changes made as required. All SEP FHMP Draft, June

10 Personnel duties and responsibilities Veterinarian The DFO Veterinarian, in conjunction with facility and biological support staff, oversees fish health management for all SEP facilities. The Veterinarian is responsible for disease diagnoses and writing prescriptions and is expected to exercise good professional judgment in fish health matters. Hatchery Manager The hatchery manager consults with the veterinarian and DFO biologists on the management of fish health issues. The hatchery manager is responsible for identifying and managing risk factors to minimize their effect on fish health. The hatchery manager reports outbreaks of significant diseases to the proper authorities. Fish Health Staff On site staff are responsible for day-to-day fish health management, according to this Plan and the hatchery manager's directions. Contact names and numbers Contact names and numbers for all key fish health personnel, including emergency numbers, are posted in an easily identifiable location at each site All SEP FHMP Draft, June

11 General Principles of Fish Health Management Keeping Pathogens Out All necessary precautions will be taken to ensure disease is kept out of a facility. Potential pathogens will be prevented or minimized by an effective biosecurity barrier at the perimeter of each facility and, where possible, between rearing units on the facility. Biosecurity applies to all personnel (staff, management), to all visitors and all equipment. Personnel movement Staff will adhere to biosecurity procedures for the site. Where possible personnel will not travel between hatcheries. If such travel is unavoidable, personnel will adhere to all biosecurity procedures at each facility. SOP Personnel and Visitor Protocols Visitors Each site shall have posted procedures for all visitors, and visitors are expected to follow these procedures. SOP Visitor procedure (generic procedure under development by BCSFA) Equipment Equipment will be kept clean at all times. This is to prevent possible spread of pathogens by fish, personnel or water borne route. Equipment will be properly disinfected after each use and put away in its proper place. SOP Container/Equipment Maintenance Equipment movement Where possible equipment will not be shared between sites. This includes pumps, vehicles and fish handling equipment. Where this is not possible, equipment that must be used at multiple sites will be subject to strict biosecurity and disinfection measures between uses. SOP Equipment disinfection All SEP FHMP Draft, June

12 Suppliers Suppliers will be advised of operator and site procedures in advance. Suppliers who visit multiple sites shall be subject to strict biosecurity measures and may be requested not to come on site. Particular attention will be paid to biosecurity measures for mort pick-ups. SOP Personnel and Visitor Protocols Moving fish between sites Fish movement between sites will be minimized, however wherever this is necessary permits will be obtained and a disease risk assessment done by a fish health professional prior to moving the fish. Particular care will be paid to handling of the fish to avoid undue stress, transmission of disease or possibility of escape. Where there is a potential fish health problem the risk will be reduced in conjunction with a Fish Health Management advance of the fish being moved. The move will be planned in advance to be as stress-free and short as possible. The receiving sites will make arrangements for isolating the newly arriving fish. Water quality will be maintained and frequently monitored during transport. All attempts will be made to minimize the amount of transport water delivered to the receiving site, to prevent spread of waterborne pathogens. SOP Gamete Transport and Moving Fish to be transported or released are checked for health condition prior to release. SOP Juvenile Transport Juvenile Release Broodstock Disease Screening The Veterinarian and/or Fish Health Management will develop specific disease screening procedures to minimize the risk of vertical transmission. Samples for disease screening will be collected using proper disinfection procedures Location of progeny from sampled fish will be kept track of until such time as screening results have been received and reviewed by the Veterinarian and/or Fish Health Management. All SEP FHMP Draft, June

13 For DFO enhanced fish, determining the causes of fish mortality prior to spawning can provide important information on disease incidence in the population and indicate the presence of vertically transmitted diseases. SOP Adult Disease Screening Broodstock Selection Keeping disease from spreading Separation of Fish Groups Different species or stocks are kept separated while on site. Rearing units are kept separate to prevent transmission of disease between groups. Minimizing disease within the site All efforts will be made to minimize disease on a site. Adequate hygiene, disinfection, mortality collection and tank cleaning help to keep fish healthy and exposed to as few pathogens as possible. Hygiene and disinfection - personnel All personnel will adhere to the facility hygiene and disinfection procedures. SOP Personnel and Visitor Protocols Hygiene and disinfection equipment Equipment must be kept clean, in good working order and disinfected. SOP Container/Equipment Maintenance Mort collection Mortalities will be collected on a routine and frequent basis to minimize the potential spread of disease and to minimize attractiveness to predators. The operator has BMP s for mortality collection. The mort storage area will be an appropriate distance away from any rearing units to minimize inadvertent spread of disease. Proper disinfection procedures will be adhered to after each mort collection. SOP Mortality collection and disposal Monitoring Fish Health Fish will be monitored at least once daily for any unusual behaviours, visible lesions or other signs of disease. Changes in behaviour and physical condition will be reported to site management. Water quality will also be routinely monitored. All SEP FHMP Draft, June

14 SOP Juveniles-Health Observations Mortality classification Morts collected will be examined for external signs of disease. As per the operator procedure suspect morts may be examined internally. Suspected causes of mortality must be recorded and fish health management will be notified of any unusual numbers or types of mortalities. SOP Juvenile Mortality Collection and Disposal Adult Carcass Disposal Sampling may be done as per the operator procedure and/or on the instructions of the operator Veterinarian and/or Fish Health Management. SOP Sampling Protocols for Disease Analysis Common fish health procedures Adult spawning Broodstock are treated preventatively for specific infectious diseases prior to maturation, to prevent vertical tramsmission of disease. Adults are disinfected prior to spawning to minimize spread of disease. Carcasses are disposed in a manner to prevent spread of disease. SOP Adult Spawning Adult Treatments Adult Carcass Disposal Egg disinfection Eggs can be safely disinfected following fertilization and water hardening. This is done at the Broodstock facility and/or when the eggs enter the hatchery. SOP Egg disinfection Egg treatments Developing eggs are sensitive to light, shock and fungal infections. Eggs will be periodically checked for mortality, and presence of infectious diseases or fungus. Affected eggs will be treated as necessary. SOP Egg picking Egg treatment All SEP FHMP Draft, June

15 Alevin treatments SOP Alevin treatments Vaccinating fish Vaccines are used to boost immunity to certain infectious diseases (e.g. Furunculosis) and are part of an integrated fish health management program. Vaccines are biologic substances that will be stored (refrigerated) and handled as per manufacturer s instructions so as to maintain their effectiveness. Staff will be appropriately trained prior to undertaking the vaccination procedure. Dip vaccination will be done in accordance with manufacturer s guidelines. Fish will be handled in as stress-free a manner as possible. Intraperitoneal vaccines will be administered in accordance with manufacturer s guidelines. SOP Juvenile Treatments Fish Health Outbreaks A fish health emergency is any situation where the health of the fish population is suddenly at risk. This may be due to significant pathogens such as IHN virus or sudden, severe decreases in dissolved oxygen levels. Vigilant monitoring and early detection is key to good management of emergencies. SOP Serious Disease Outbreak First steps If there is a system failure all efforts will be directed to restoring sufficient water quality for the fish. Sufficient oxygen levels must be restored to support the fish. The site will immediately activate the Operator s Water Quality Contingency Plan. If a serious infectious disease problem is suspected the operator Veterinarian and/or Fish Health Management will be immediately notified. If the problem is not easily discerned, diagnosis and management need to be done hand in hand. Infectious Disease Emergencies An outbreak is defined as an unexpected occurrence of mortality or disease. Not all outbreaks are fish health emergencies. Diseases may differ in how infectious they are and therefore how easy or difficult they are to control. Rapid response is essential but will be determined on a case-by-case basis in conjunction with the Veterinarian and/or Fish Health Management. Once an emergency has been recognized certain steps will be followed. The objective is to keep the pathogen load as low as possible and to prevent spread of the problem on or off the site. All SEP FHMP Draft, June

16 Quarantine Quarantine is the enforced physical separation of the healthy population from a (potentially) infected population, their products or items they may have contaminated. 1 At the Veterinarian s recommendation the site may be officially quarantined. Quarantine remains in effect until such time as the problem has been diagnosed and/or managed. Stop fish movement and/or handling The movement of all fish on/off and within the site may cease. Fish will not be further handled. No visitors or non-essential staff will be allowed on site unless previously authorized by Management. Disinfection and Hygiene Hygiene and disinfection on site, including procedure for personnel and equipment will be strictly enforced. Suppliers Suppliers (e.g., feed or oxygen delivery) will be instructed to visit the site last or to make special arrangements. Mortality Collection The frequency of mortality collection will be increased. Affected tanks will be mort picked last and staff will adhere to disinfection procedures between tanks and rearing units. Where possible separate gear will be designated for the affected unit. All equipment, surfaces and clothing that come in contact with infected fish or infected material will be thoroughly disinfected after use. Mortality collection and disposal procedures will be strictly adhered to, and provisions made for increased mortality pickups and disposal. Determining the cause of the outbreak (outbreak investigations) The Veterinarian may require records and appropriate sampling to determine cause of the outbreak and best course of action. The Veterinarian and/or Fish Health Management will give instructions for proper sampling. Water and feed samples may be requested. Samples will be properly handled, properly stored and promptly shipped as per the Veterinarian s or Fish Health Management s instructions. Continued monitoring will be required after the initial workup to determine the course of the outbreak and to assess whether treatment and/or management measure are being effective. Frequent observations of the fish are essential. Feeding response and water quality should be monitored. All treatments and management changes should be noted as they occur. The Veterinarian, Fish Health Management and site management will work together to review fish health records and make further management decisions. Any repeat sampling including results - should be duly noted. 1 Martin et. al., eds. Veterinary Epidemiology: Principles and Methods. All SEP FHMP Draft, June

17 Site depopulation If it has been agreed to depopulate the site, the procedures will conducted in a manner consistent with principles of hygiene and biosecurity. Reporting to authorities Where appropriate and/or in accordance with existent regulation, operator management will report the outbreak to Provincial or Federal authorities. Communicating with other operators The operator s head office will notify other operators in the geographic area of the outbreak. SOP Serious Disease Outbreak Disinfection Protocols for Serious Disease Outbreaks Quarantine Protocol for Viral or Exotic Diseases Handling drugs and chemicals properly The goal of good fish health management is to have healthy and productive fish. However if fish do become sick, they may require treatment with a therapeutant. The Veterinarian retains a veterinarian-client-patient relationship with the operator that is the basis for disease diagnoses and prescribing treatments. Medicated feed storage and inventory Medicated feed will be stored in clearly marked bags separately from non-medicated feed. The storage area should be clean, dry and free of predators. The label on the medicated feedbag states details about the feed, medication included, feed rate, name of the veterinarian, prescription number and date it was milled. Medicated feed will be inventoried separately from regular feed. Daily inventory records will be kept as the feed is fed to the fish according to prescription. In the unlikely event there is excess medicated feed after completion of the treatment the Veterinarian will be contacted to determine proper handling and disposal. SOP Feed Storage and Handling Handling and administering medicated feed Medication mixed into feed has a Material Data Safety Sheet (MSDS), which specifies handling and safety precautions. An MSDS for all medications used on site must be on site in a readily accessible binder. As per WHMIS all chemicals must be handled safely by trained staff e.g., by wearing appropriate protective gear and taking suitable precautions. All SEP FHMP Draft, June

18 Medicated feed will be fed out in accordance with the Veterinarian s instructions. The appropriate tank(s) must receive the prescribed amount medicated feed for the duration of treatment. SOP Juvenile Feeding Treatment records Provincial regulations require that treatment records for therapeutants include: Aquaculture license number and name of holder Location of aquaculture facility Species of fin fish Name of the prescribing Veterinarian A log naming the drugs (therapeutants), including o How they were administered o Treatment schedule including the date treatment commenced o Date of last treatment o Name and signature of the person responsible for administering each treatment Detailed records of medicated feed administration will be kept during the entire time of medication. Medicated feed records will be kept for the entire time the fish are on site. In combination with inventory records, the groups that were treated will be readily identifiable through treatment and withdrawal times. A copy of the treatment records will accompany those fish to another site if the fish are moved. Chemicals and Biologicals Disinfectants Disinfectants will be stored in clearly marked containers. An MSDS for each disinfectant that is on site will be kept in a safe, readily accessible place, e.g., binder in the site office. As per WHMIS all chemicals must be handled safely by trained staff e.g., by wearing appropriate protective gear and taking suitable precautions. SOP Chemical /Supplies Storage Chemicals Chemicals include but are not limited to fixatives, such as formalin or Davidson s solution used for preserving fish tissues. These chemicals will be stored in clearly marked containers. An MSDS for each chemical that is on site will be kept in a safe, readily accessible place, e.g. binder in the site office. As per WHMIS all chemicals must be handled safely trained staff e.g., by wearing appropriate protective gear and taking suitable precautions. All SEP FHMP Draft, June

19 SOP Chemical/Supplies Storage Biologicals Biologicals include vaccines. Where applicable, these products will be kept refrigerated and handled as per manufacturer s instructions. A product insert for each vaccine that is on site will be kept in a safe, readily accessible place. Trained staff must handle all biologicals safely e.g., by wearing appropriate protective gear and taking suitable precautions. SOP Chemical/Supplies Storage Maintaining an optimum environment Suitable rearing environment The operator management is responsible for ensuring a suitable rearing environment for the fish, so they can stay healthy. Facility requirements for physical assets are specified elsewhere. Redundant and/or back up systems are necessary in the event of catastrophic failures in the water supply. Monitoring water quality Maintaining good water quality is vital to good fish health. The operator maintains a regular program for monitoring and recording water quality at hatchery sites. Monitoring will vary between sites depending on location and the specifics of the aquatic environment. In-line monitoring may be applicable. The frequency of monitoring will depend on available equipment and type of facility, e.g., flow through or recirculation. SOP s Water Supply Transport Contingency planning The operator maintains a contingency plan in the event of acute deterioration of water quality. Systems are suitably alarmed to indicate changes in water quality below predetermined set points, e.g. precipitous fall in dissolved oxygen levels. Failure of pumps and/or oxygen delivery is an immediate emergency. The site has back up system(s) for keeping dissolved oxygen levels compatible with short-term life support for the fish while the system failure is being addressed. SOP Emergency Response Protocols All SEP FHMP Draft, June

20 Predators Predators will be excluded from the site. Predators include birds, rodents and occasionally mammals such as mink and river otters. The operator maintains Best Management Practices (BMP s) for predator exclusion. SOP Predator Control Keeping Fish Healthy Keeping fish as healthy as possible is critical to keeping disease from coming on site and/or spreading within a site. Normal fish behavior Fish will be routinely monitored for signs of health and disease. All staff should be familiar with normal fish behaviour. Key behaviours that indicate healthy fish include but are not limited to: Physical changes from normal i.e. scale loss, parasites, external injury Behavioral - swimming and schooling behavior, increased respiration Feeding normally aggressive feed response when feed is presented Fish will be kept at reasonable densities. Changes in behaviour and physical condition will be reported to site management. Early detection is key to good disease management. Egg take Egg take will be done in as hygienic a manner as possible to prevent horizontal transmission of diseases to other broodstock or progeny. Adult fish will be anesthetized, gametes harvested, and females destroyed in a humane manner. Males, if used for multiple egg takes, will be monitored for recovery from anesthesia. Proper hygiene and disinfection will be adhered to. SOP Egg take Egg transport Fish Transplant Permits will be used when eggs and/or milt are transported to the hatchery. Transport will be done in clean, labeled containers with secure lids. Strict disinfection and biosecurity procedures will be adhered to, to prevent transmission of disease from the broodstock site to the hatchery site. SOP Egg (milt) transport Feed and Nutrition The objective of good nutrition is to keep fish healthy. The operator has procedures in place for healthy feeding of fish, including type of feed and different feed delivery All SEP FHMP Draft, June

21 methods. Proper storage of these diets is essential to maintaining their nutritional value. Feed will be stored in secure buildings where wildlife can be excluded and spillage prevented. SOP Feed storage/handling Fish Handling Techniques The operator maintains BMP s for handling fish, e.g. grading, including minimizing the risk of escape while the fish are being handled. Handling including equipment maintenance - will be done so as to minimize injury to the fish and/or predispose to disease. Fish will be monitored while being handled. Staff will minimize the time fish are exposed to stressful events such as crowding and out-of-water events (i.e. handling, counting, grading, tagging, injecting). SOP Handling Equipment Adult Handling Juvenile Handling Anesthetizing fish A variety of fish health procedures require that fish be anesthetized. Anesthetics will be obtained from the operator s veterinarian. Netting of fish prior to anesthesia will be done in as stress-free a manner as possible. Exposure to anesthetic will be minimized while ensuring the anesthetic level is adequate for the procedure. Anesthetized fish will be monitored carefully at all times. Water quality of the anesthetic bath in particular, oxygen level will be monitored. SOP Anesthesia Marking fish Marking fish will be done in a manner to cause minimal injury and stress to the fish. The resulting open wound can lead to secondary infections. Appropriate anesthesia and monitoring will be done for adverse effects after the procedure. SOP Marking Fish Fish transports Fry, smolts and other life stages will be handled in as stress-free a manner as possible in preparation for transport. Equipment will be checked to prevent significant injury that could predispose fish to disease. Proper hygiene and disinfection will be adhered to. Appropriate permits will be obtained from DFO. SOP Adult Transport Juvenile transport Juvenile Release All SEP FHMP Draft, June

22 Euthanasia In the uncommon situation where fish should be euthanised (e.g., certain fish health sampling), euthanasia should be done in as humane a manner as possible. The method used should result in rapid and irreversible loss of consciousness. SOP Juvenile Treatments Keeping Good Records Fish Health Records Fish health records include but are not limited to: Inventory records o Includes source, number, location and lot of fish at the site Fish movement records Mortality records including mortality cause Lab work Diagnostic sampling records Water quality records Medicated feed records Therapeutant teatment records Records of mitigative actions (other than therapeutants) taken to prevent or mitigate disease, e.g. refused shipment of potentially infected eggs Records of reporting to Provincial or Federal authorities, in accordance with existing regulation Many of these records are computerized and form part of the integrated operator record keeping system. The operator will provide adequate system training and documentation to authorized site personnel including data entry and reports, e.g. ENPRO for DFO and HIMAN for FFSBC. Backups will be maintained. Paper records not entered into a computerized system will be well organized, easily accessible and protected from damage, e.g. kept in binders. Records will be kept for the duration of time the fish are on site. The operator will keep archived records at a suitable location in head office or securely stored off site. Records will be available for inspection upon request by BC MAFF. Records will be reviewed on a routine basis by the operator Veterinarian and/or Fish Health Management to look for patterns in fish health and disease. Reporting to BC Fish Health Database The operator will report required fish health data, e.g. mortality cause and fish health event information to the BCSFA Fish Health Database on a monthly basis. Aquaculture companies will keep records of data submission for audit by BC MAFF. Also need to All SEP FHMP Draft, June

23 include something on reporting from the database to MAFF so it is clear there is reporting required. SOP Data Collection and Management Egg Take Records Records will be kept for egg take and broodstock disease screening. Records will accompany each shipment of eggs from the Broodstock location to the hatchery receiving the eggs, whether destined for onsite or off site incubation. SOP Data Collection and Management Impacts on Non-Enhanced Stocks Fish escape In the unlikely event that fish escape into nearby streams or watersheds, the operator's Fish Escape Response Plan goes into immediate effect. As part of the Response Plan, fish health records - including relevant diagnoses and treatments - will be made available to the appropriate regulatory authorities as required. Releases The planned release of enhancement/conservation fish from enhancement/conservation facilities will undergo a risk assessment, so as not to allow undue harm to wild fish populations or public health. The health and treatment status of fish will be considered when planning intentional fish releases. Fish shall not be released until risk assessment recommendations are in place SOP Juvenile Release All SEP FHMP Draft, June

24 Description of Big Qualicum River Salmonid Enhancement Facility General Description Big Qualicum River Hatchery, Flow Control, and Spawning Channel Project was the first of the modern enhancement projects to be undertaken in this province and has provided a model for other developments. It is located on the East Coast of Vancouver Island near Qualicum Beach, adjacent to the Qualicum First Nation Reserve. The Big Qualicum River is a typical coastal stream. From its source at Horne Lake, the river flows approximately 11 km (7 mi) to the Strait of Georgia. Big Qualicum Hatchery is a major contributor to commercial and recreational fisheries, and supports a significant First Nations harvest. All species of Pacific salmon return to Big Qualicum as do steelhead and cutthroat trout. Chum represent the highest production followed by good populations of coho and chinook. The facility produces steelhead for the province and would likely figure prominently within a Georgia Basin steelhead recovery plan. Many community groups and scientific researchers utilize the hatchery for support. Water Source All water is taken from the Big Qualicum River. Pumps and three surface gravity intakes are used. In addition, there is a tunnel supply from Horne Lake, capable of drawing water from 0m, 60m, and 90m depths. Water from each depth can be mixed allowing some temperature control. River Water Quality Alkalinity 38 Conductivity 85 Hardness 39 ph 7.7 Fish Culture Objectives Stock Re-Building The Big Qualicum project incorporates a hatchery, spawning channel and flow control, all of which contribute to ensuring that stocks in the watershed are healthy. The facility is working with community groups to re-establish pink, chum and coho runs on the East Coast of Vancouver Island. DFO is currently spending $2M to upgrade the flow control dam. Steelhead runs to both the Big and Little Qualicum Rivers are of conservation concern. Little Qualicum is currently part of the provincial Live Gene Bank Captive Brood program. Fishery The Big Qualicum channel and flow control enhanced production is a major contributor to South Coast inside chum catch. Dependent on run strength of these and other comigrating stocks, a non-targeted net fishery in Johnstone Strait catches an average 100,000 ( ) chum. An Area 14 targeted chum fishery catches 125,000 BQ chum, All SEP FHMP Draft, June

25 along with Little Qualicum Channel and Puntledge Hatchery enhanced chum. Without enhanced production, this terminal fishery would be severely curtailed. A local terminal recreational marine and freshwater chum fishery has also developed which harvests small numbers. Big Qualicum coho are significant contributors to the Strait of Georgia recreational fishery (>3,000 pieces). The stock is largely resident within the Strait of Georgia, although migrates to West Coast Vancouver Island during some years. All coho have been massed marked for hatchery mark-selective fisheries. A major terminal marine and freshwater recreational fishery for coho is dependant on hatchery production. In addition, special effort is being made to ensure that significant numbers of coho are passed above the main fence to allow sports fishers more opportunities for fishing in the upper river. This helps to relieve the pressure below the main fence, where a very small area is open to fishing. Big Qualicum chinook are significant contributors to B.C. recreational fisheries (>1,000 pieces) and are caught by commercial harvesters in northern B.C. and Alaska. A terminal freshwater recreational fishery is dependent on hatchery production. A small freshwater catch & release fishery exists for winter run steelhead and anadromous cutthroat. Species Run Stock Release Expected Adults * Chinook Fall Big Qualicum R 3,735, Chum Fall Big Qualicum R 54,000, ,000 Coho Fall Big Qualicum R 1,450,000 59,000 Cutthroat Fall L Qualicum R 15,000 1,500 Steelhead Winter L Qualicum R 25, * Expected Adults are calculated using average survival rates and do not reflect survival rates observed during the recent return year. Assessment Marked (coded-wire tagged or finclipped) hatchery stocks provide much of the critical data for determining catch distribution, survival and exploitation rates. Selected hatchery stocks are also used for stock management and as indicators of the stock status for both wild and hatchery stocks in their area. For chinook and coho, Big Qualicum provides the longest time series of data in the region and is the indicator for Strait of Georgia stocks. Funding is provided by Stock Assessment to apply additional coded-wire tags to hatchery chinook and coho for increased analytical utility. Big Qualicum chinook are also a Pacific Salmon Treaty indicator stock. For chum, Big Qualicum, together with Inch Creek in the lower Fraser, are the indicators for South Coast inside chum management. Big Qualicum employs a number of natural and artificial enhancement techniques to increase populations of Pacific salmon and steelhead trout. It was the first of the modern All SEP FHMP Draft, June

26 enhancement projects to be undertaken in this province and has provided a model for other developments. Research and assessment of this facility have increased the scientific data available on salmonid behaviour, life cycle and habitat requirements. And not to be forgotten is the annual landed value of over $10 million to the commercial and sport fisheries. The hatchery also provides an important source of fish for the native food-fish program and countless hours of enjoyment for the recreational fisherman. Description of Capilano River Salmonid Enhancement Facility General Description The Capilano Salmon Hatchery is located on the Capilano River in the District of North Vancouver. It is a local landmark visited by thousands of visitors and supports a major terminal First Nation and sport fishery for residents of the Greater Vancouver area. The Capilano River originates near Capilano Mountain, 32 km upstream from the west end of Burrard Inlet. As early as 1889, the river was partially dammed to supply water for the growing city of Vancouver. In 1954, construction of the Cleveland Dam was completed 6 km from the ocean, creating a reservoir that currently supplies 40% of Greater Vancouver's water supply. The construction of the Cleveland Dam blocked the route of coho and steelhead traveling up the Capilano River to spawn. Greater than 95% of their spawning and approximately 75% of their rearing habitat was lost. To mitigate this loss, the Greater Vancouver Water District constructed a concrete river weir and fish ladder. This system collected adult salmon returning to the river to spawn. They were then transported in transport tanks and deposited above the dam to continue their journey upstream. However, young salmon migrating downstream to the ocean suffered high losses, as they had to travel over the dam. Over the next decade the Capilano salmon stocks continued to decline. To address this problem, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans decided to build Capilano Hatchery to rear and release salmon below the dam. Construction began in 1969 and the three million-dollar facility was completed in Capilano Salmon Hatchery is now famous for its contribution of coho and steelhead to the sport fishery in Burrard Inlet. Also, Chinook salmon were introduced to the system in an attempt to establish a self-sustaining run of these prized sport fish in the Capilano River fishery and Vancouver Harbor tidal sport fishery. Salmon returning in the fall to the Capilano River also provide an active food and ceremonial fishery for the Squamish First Nation. Scientific research is an important aspect of the hatchery. Salmon and working facilities are provided for research projects originating in the private and public sectors. Prior to being released, a percentage of the juvenile chinook and coho are tagged with an internal All SEP FHMP Draft, June

27 coded-wire-tag, and given an external adipose fin clip. Information gathered from this program is used to analyze experimental work as well as reveal details on fish migration, ocean survival and fishery contribution rates. Another major role of the Capilano Salmon Hatchery is public education. Coho eggs and adults are used in the Salmonids in the Classroom programs in local schools. Coho fry and smolts are used to support various Community Involvement Projects and Public Involvement Projects in the Burrard Inlet and Indian Arm area of Greater Vancouver. The hatchery is open for public viewing every day, allowing locals and visitors form around the world a chance to learn more about this magnificent resource. Water source Facility has ground (2-5 cfs) and surface water (>10 cfs). Surface water is gravity flow from the Capilano River. Groundwater comes from wells located adjacent to Capilano Lake. The surface water is very soft. River Water Quality Alkalinity 4 Conductivity 13 Hardness 4.5 ph 6.5 Fish Culture Objectives Stock Re-Building By 1970, severe coho and steelhead stock declines occurred as a result of fish passage issues associated with construction of the Cleveland Dam (part of the Greater Vancouver Water District, GVWD) in There is almost no habitat available for salmonids below the Cleveland Dam. The hatchery goals were for conservation of the coho and steelhead, rebuilding of the coho run to support a significant terminal recreational fishery and introduction of a chinook stock for creation of a terminal recreational fishery. Without the facility, the summer and winter runs of steelhead would likely be extinct within one generation and the coho would likely be extinct within three generations during periods of low ocean survival. Fishery Capilano coho are significant contributors to the Strait of Georgia recreational fishery.. The stock is largely resident within the Strait of Georgia, although it does migrate to West Coast Vancouver Island during some years. All coho have been massed marked for hatchery mark-selective fisheries. A major urban terminal marine and freshwater recreational fishery for coho is dependent on hatchery production. Capilano also provides coho smolts on an annual basis to support a recreational fishery in Sechelt Inlet. A small terminal marine recreational fishery for chinook has been developed on an introduced run of chinook, which also contribute to mixed stock commercial and recreational fisheries in the Strait of Georgia, Johnstone Strait and off the West Coast of Vancouver Island. All SEP FHMP Draft, June

28 A small freshwater catch & release fishery exists for both summer and winter run steelhead. Species Run Stock Release Expected Adults * Chinook Fall Capilano R 560,000 6,000 Chum Fall Capilano R 10, Coho Fall Capilano R 850,000 60,000 Steelhead Summer Capilano R 35, Steelhead Winter Capilano R 35, * Expected Adults are calculated using average survival rates and do not reflect survival rates observed during the recent return year. Assessment Provides basic information required of all enhancement projects. Capilano coho are one of the earliest returning coho stocks and provide early indications of abundance of Strait of Georgia stocks. Description of Chehalis River Salmonid Enhancement Facility General Description Chehalis River Hatchery is located near Harrison Mills in the Lower Fraser Valley, east of Vancouver. It is located on Chehalis River, a tributary of the Harrison River. It is mainly a chum facility but also enhances chinook, coho, chum, cutthroat and steelhead. Water Source and Quality Facility has ground (<10 cfs) and surface water ( <10 cfs) available, multiple incubation and rearing containers (supplied by both well and surface water) and reliable fish culture experience. Both the surface and ground waters are very soft. Alkalinity 6.5 Conductivity 28 Hardness 10 ph 6.2 Project Facilities Chehalis River gravity feed, riverbank fixed-screen intake- supplies 25,000 to 50,000 lpm (15-30 cfs) of river water depending on water demand. Three pump stations (20, 60, and 100 hp)- supply up to 17,000 lpm (10 cfs) of well water. Aeration tower- for aeration of well water and distribution of well and river water. All SEP FHMP Draft, June

29 Hatchery building- contains the offices, washrooms, lunchroom, laboratories, workshop, dry storage areas, mechanical/electrical room, incubation room with Heath trays and Atkins boxes, and freezer (20,000 kg capacity) for fish food. Keeper channels (12)- for chum salmon egg hatching and alevin incubation. Aluminum rearing troughs (32)- for initial fry rearing. The troughs are used mainly for coho, chinook, steelhead and cutthroat fry. Concrete raceways (14)- for final rearing (all species) and adult holding (coho, chum, and chinook). Concrete holding channels (3) - for steelhead and cutthroat adults. Asphalt lined channels (3 )- for coho and chinook final rearing and sometimes adult coho holding. Fish brailer and lifter, anesthetic tank, sorting table and transfer pipes- for adult salmon handling. Egg-take shelter- used for adult spawning. Sludge lagoon - waste from cleaning the channels is pumped into the lagoon. Fuel shed - for fuel and oil storage. Residence - for crew standby. Display panels (10) - for public information and self-guided tours (bilingual). Fish Culture Objectives Stock Re-Building The Harrison River supports the largest naturally-spawning chinook stock in British Columbia. The objective of fall chinook enhancement at Chehalis Hatchery is to provide a buffer in years where flooding or other events result in poor natural survival of Harrison River production. Chum and coho enhancement were undertaken in the early 1980 s to rebuild depleted stocks; both species are now considered rebuilt. Enhanced chum contributed an average of 56,000 ( ) natural spawners to rebuild the stock. Chum production was reduced to 900k as a buffer against low natural production. Steelhead and cutthroat populations are depressed and are maintained by enhancement. Fishery Chehalis Hatchery supports a significant destination freshwater sport fishery for all species; the coho, cutthroat and steelhead sport fisheries are hatchery mark only. Discontinuation of current production levels of coho would impact the potential for marine hatchery mark-selective fisheries. Chehalis contributes an average of 2,000 chinook to marine fisheries, with the majority of these taken in the West Coast Vancouver Island commercial fishery. Coho contribute to marine fisheries in the Strait of Georgia or the West Coast Vancouver Island, depending on distribution patterns. Chehalis was a significant contributor to the South Coast chum catch (41, average), including 8,000 to the Fraser River. Commercial exploitation rates for chum have declined in recent years as Johnstone Strait and Lower Fraser chum fisheries have been scaled back because of conservation concerns for coho and late timing Lower Fraser chum. Because the stock is considered rebuilt, chum production was reduced to buffer levels in All SEP FHMP Draft, June