Shellfish Health Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)

Shellfish Health Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) October 2007 Prepared by: BC Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences, Campbell River, BC Prepared for: BC Shellfish Growers Association

Standard Operating Procedure SOP 5 Title: Health Monitoring Protocols: Beach Effective Date:Oct.12,2007 Copy # Page of 3 Signature: Date: 1.0 Rationale: 1.1 Specific shellfish monitoring procedures will reduce the potential for 2.0 Definitions: disease outbreaks and transmission. Biophysical parameters: Any living and/or non-living component of the ecosystem, i.e. substrate, freshwater influence, upland activities, salinity, etc. Condition Index (CI): A ratio of the weight of the dry shellfish meat to the dry shell mass. Because shells are relatively constant in mass, a higher CI would indicate fleshier biomass relative to shell mass; therefore, signifying a healthier individual. CFIA: acronym for Canadian Food Inspection Agency. 3.0 Responsibility: 3.1 Operations manager and crew. 4.0 Procedure: 4.1 Short Term Monitoring: 4.1.1 Beach sites will be walked regularly during daylight hours, preferably prior to harvesting and/or seeding. Any gross changes in biophysical parameters will be noted. 4.1.2 If unusual mortalities are present, shellfish will be sampled as per the procedures noted in Health Sampling Protocols. 4.1.3 At least quarterly, records of site assessments will be reviewed and compared with historic records to identify changes and trends in health status. 4.1.4 At least once monthly, crew will walk the beach lease and visually note moribund or dead animals (or empty shells).

Standard Operating Procedure SOP 5 Title: Health Monitoring Protocols: Beach Effective Date:Oct.12,2007 Copy # Page of 3 4.1.5 Quarterly, a detailed count of the number of dead and moribund animals in a 1m x 1m previously identified plot/acre will be made. A sample of five animals of representative size will be taken and the physical condition of each will be evaluated and recorded. If mortalities elevate or physical condition deterioates, sampling will occur as per 2.9 of the SHMP. 4.1.6 Mortalities will be classified as to cause by filling out a 4.2 Long Term Monitoring mortality/moribund record sheet (SOP mortality classification). 4.2.1 Beach sites will be surveyed at least once during a production cycle or on a regular fixed rotation (i.e. every 3 or 5 years). 4.2.2 Surveys are an opportunity for an in-depth examination of productivity. The data provides a platform for informed decision making and will allow the grower to quantify changes (positive or negative) in site-specific processes. 4.2.3 Biomass estimates for culture and dominant non-culture species will be prepared using the survey data. 4.2.4 Health samples of dominant species will be collected as per the Health Sampling Protocols for analysis by an approved facility. 4.2.5 Biophysical parameters such as fetch, substrate composition, fresh water influence, rainfall, beach dimensions, upland activities, etc. will be recorded. 5.0 Reporting 5.1 For short term monitoring, observations of any unexpected or unusual occurrences will be recorded in the Daily Activity Log.

Standard Operating Procedure SOP 5 Title: Health Monitoring Protocols: Beach Effective Date:Oct.12,2007 Copy # Page of 3 5.2 A monthly log will be kept of beach walkovers with observations noted. If numbers elicit a sampling response, the records will reference the event. 5.3 For long term monitoring, a complete survey report will be prepared. 5.4 Daily logs will be retained for a minimum of one year as per the Shiny Waters SHMP. Survey reports will be retained for a minimum of ten years or at least three survey periods.

Standard Operating Procedure SOP 3 Title: Mortality Classification Beach Operation Effective Date: 15 Sept 2007 15 Sept 2008 Copy # Page of 2 Signature: Date: 1.0 Rationale: 1.1 Mortalities will be broken down and recorded as to suspected cause of death. Fish Health Management will be notified of any unusual numbers or types of mortalities as required by Section 2.3.2.1 of the Shellfish Farm Name SHMP. 1.2 Reporting to Shellfish Health personnel will allow for quick response to potential disease outbreak and will keep disease spread to a minimum. 2.0 Scope: 2.1 This document will apply to any site personnel, including all crew and management. 3.0 Responsibility: 3.1 It will be the responsibility of the crew member or manager to follow the protocol outlined below. 3.2 It will be the responsibility of the crew or manager to record all data and to maintain proper documentation. 4.0 Procedure: 4.1 Mortality classification sheets will be used for each monitoring event. 4.2 The Shellfish Health Management or Production Manager will be notified when a sudden change in classification or an increase in mortalities is noted. 4.3 Personnel will maintain information regarding increased mortalities such that possible trends, causes or explanations can be explored. Examples: recent handling events; changes in water quality; and suspected predation. 5.0 Reporting 5.1 Mortality sheet, including classification sheets, will be completed for each event.

Standard Operating Procedure SOP 3 Title: Mortality Classification Beach Operation Effective Date: 15 Sept 2007 15 Sept 2008 Copy # Page of 2 5.2 Record in Daily Log book 5.3 Records will be kept in a secure place for 2 years or longer.

Standard Operating Procedure SOP 8 Effective Date Oct.12,2007: Title: Shellfish Health Emergency: Mass Mortality Procedure: Beach Copy # Page of 3 Signature: Date: 1.0 Rationale: 1.1 Normal farm management may inadvertantly cause transmission of pathogens to other farms or locations. For diseases listed under the Health of Animals Act, CFIA may require the site to be officially isolated or quarantined. For events where mortality is high but the cause is a non-reportable disease, the operator may choose to initiate isolation/quarantine at such time as the problem has been identified and/or managed. The following actions should be taken to reduce secondary spread of the pathogen. 2.0 Scope: 2.1 This document applies to anyone, including all crew and management. 3.0 Responsibility: 3.1 It will be the responsibility of the Owner/Operator to follow the protocol outlined below. 3.2 It will be the responsibility of Owner/Operator to record all data and to complete all proper documentation. 4.0 Procedure: 4.1 Affected farm(s) will be immediately isolated. A quarantined zone may be established as a result of consultation between growers and regulatory agencies. 4.2 Owners/Operators will be required to contact appropriate regulatory bodies upon detection of high mortality events 1. 4.3 Stop shellfish movement and/or handling 4.3.1 The movement of all shellfish on/off and within the site will cease. Shellfish will not be further handled. Beach culture does not lend itself to mitigation of the threat other than keeping staff off the beach unless absolutely necessary. This will prevent spread of 1 Once the Health of Animals Act is enabled for reportable diseases there will be guidelines provided to producers so they know who to call in the event of the finding of a reportable disease.

Standard Operating Procedure SOP 8 Effective Date Oct.12,2007: Title: Shellfish Health Emergency: Mass Mortality Procedure: Beach Copy # Page of 3 possible pathogens. Shellfish Health staff will advise as to the best strategy. 4.3.2 Equipment and personnel will not move on or off site unless special arrangements are made, e.g. for site staff going on or off shift. 4.3.3 No visitors or non-essential staff will be allowed on site unless previously authorized by Management. 4.3.4 Any essential staff for site operations and qualified fish health professionals moving to and from the affected site(s) or within positive zone will take the following precautions: Minimize movements to/from the affected site/zone. Ensure that the affected site/zone is the last visited in a day. All protective gear will be thoroughly disinfected or separate gear used for each affected site/zone and gear will be left at that location. Boats used to transport people and equipment to sites will be thoroughly disinfected and cleaned to remove debris and organic material. Operators may chose to reserve one boat for use in the affected zone. 4.4 Disinfection and Hygiene 4.4.1 Hygiene and disinfection on site, including procedure for personnel and equipment, will be strictly enforced. 4.4.2 Non removeable structures must be scraped and cleaned. All removed material will be double bagged and disposed of in an approved manner. 4.5 Suppliers/Visitors 4.5.1 Suppliers will be instructed to visit the site last or to make special arrangements (e.g. designated vessel) to pick up and deliver only to the affected site. 4.5.2 Access by non-essential staff and/or visitors to the affected site and other farms within the positive zone will cease. 4.6 Mortality Monitoring 4.6.1 The frequency of mortality monitoring will be increased.

Standard Operating Procedure SOP 8 Effective Date Oct.12,2007: Title: Shellfish Health Emergency: Mass Mortality Procedure: Beach Copy # Page of 3 4.6.2 Monitoring stations on the beach will triple in number and daily monitoring (in daylight) will continue to ensure collection of affected or suspected positive shellfish. 4.6.3 Health staff will co-ordinate intesified monitoring of other farms within the zone to establish distribution of the disease. 4.6.4 Dead animals will be collected in tight-lidded, secure containers to prevent access by predators and loss of infected material. 4.6.5 Disposal procedures will be strictly adhered to. 4.6.6 Owners should avoid transporting dead animals through unaffected areas. 4.7 Determining the cause of the outbreak (outbreak investigations). 4.7.1 The Shellfish Health manager will give instructions for proper sampling. Water samples may be requested. Samples will be properly handled and stored and will be promptly shipped as per Shellfish Health management s instructions. CFIA may require records and appropriate sampling data to determine cause of the outbreak and best course of action. 4.7.2 Continued monitoring will be required after the initial workup to determine the course of the outbreak and to assess whether treatment and/or management measures are being effective. 4.8 Dealing with Large Scale Mortality Events 4.8.1 If site depopulation is the agreed response, the procedures will be conducted in a manner consistent with principles of hygiene and biosecurity. CFIA will provide guidelines as to how to procede with depopulation and disposal of animals. 5.0 Reporting 5.1 Daily activities of crew will be itemized in daily log book 5.2 All communications with CFIA will be kept in a binder along with all paper work associated with the outbreak. 5.2.1 Copies of mortality classification sheets and mortality collection sheets will be kept in the binder.

Standard Operating Procedure SOP 8 Effective Date Oct.12,2007: Title: Shellfish Health Emergency: Mass Mortality Procedure: Beach Copy # Page of 3 5.2.2 Correspondences with Shellfish Health professionals, including diagnostic results, will be put in binder.

Standard Operating Procedure SOP 5 Title :Mortality / Moribound Collection: Effective Date:Oct.12,2007 Deepwater Copy # Page of 2 Signature: Date: 1.0 Rationale: 1.1 Removal of moribund and dead animals will be a critical part of the disease detection and response protocol. Removal of dead and dying animals will help to keep pathogen loads down. 2.0 Definitions: Moribund: Animals that are not healthy and exhibit signs of distress or disease. Agent: Bacterial, viral, parasitical, fungal or environmental component that is capable of infecting and possibly killing an animal. 3.0 Responsibility: 3.1 It will be the responsibility of the crew member or manager to follow the protocol outlined below. 3.2 It will be the responsibility of the crew or manager to record all data and to maintain proper documentation. 4.0 Procedure: 4.1 Personnel will remove and count or estimate numbers of dead and moribund animals during each handling event. 4.2 Personnel will classify mortalities by cause of death, if known. 4.3 If no handling event happens in each quarter, selected areas will be checked and mortalities/moribunds will be collected and enumerated. 4.4 Gross cause of death will be identified. 4.5 In event of a major change in the environmental conditions, selected areas will be checked for increases in mortality and all dead/moribund animals will be collected. Events such as large temperature or salinity changes, large decreases in dissolved oxygen, etc. will qualify for and will result in increased surveillance. labguest2

Standard Operating Procedure SOP 5 Title :Mortality / Moribound Collection: Effective Date:Oct.12,2007 Deepwater Copy # Page of 2 5.0 Reporting 5.1 Mortality sheets will be completed for each event. 5.2 Record in Daily Log book 5.3 Records will be kept in a secure place for 2 years or longer. labguest2

Standard Operating Procedure SOP 6 Title: Staff Disinfection: Deepwater Effective Date:Oct.12,2007: Copy # Page of 2 Signature: Date: 1.0 Rationale: 1.1 Movement of people and equipment between sites or areas increases the risk of the anthropogenic transport of infectous agents thus increasing the chance infectious agent introduction into an animal population and/or the water. 1.2 Personnel movement between areas will be limited and, if movement cannot be avoided, personnel must adhere to biosecurity standards so as to limit the potential spread of pathogens. 2.0 Definitions: Biosecurity: Actions taken, which cumulatively reduce the liklihood of an infectious disease event in the population. Anthropogenic: Caused by human activities 3.0 Responsibility: 3.1 It will be the responsibility of the crew member or manager to follow the protocol outlined below. 3.2 It will be the responsibility of the crew or manager to record all data and to maintain proper documentation. 4.0 Procedure: 4.1 Personnel moving between sites that exist in different areas will clean and disinfect their clothing, including footwear and hand wear, with a solution of 1% Virkon. 4.2 If multiple sites are visited in one day, the order of visits will be youngest to oldest entries i.e. the site with the newest entry shellfish will be visited first. 4.3 All working vessels will have a garden-type spray container on board with 1% solution of Virkon to allow easy access for disinfection of work gear. labguest2

Standard Operating Procedure SOP 6 Title: Staff Disinfection: Deepwater Effective Date:Oct.12,2007: Copy # Page of 2 5.0 Reporting 5.1 Staff will record movements between sites in the daily log. labguest2

Standard Operating Procedure Title Copy # SOP Effective Date: Page of Signature: Date: 1.0 Rationale: 2.0 Scope: 3.0 Responsibility: 4.0 Procedure: 5.0 Reporting