Fish Health Surveillance Testing

The Isle of Man has a long history of aquaculture and has maintained an extremely high fish health status over more than 20 years. The status of the Isle of Man enables commercial fish farms to export worldwide. 

In order to meet EU and international standards, routine fish health inspections are carried out biannually by inspectors from the ‘Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science’ (CEFAS). CEFAS is a world leader in marine science and technology. It collects, manages and interprets data on the aquatic environment, biodiversity and fisheries. For further information, please see here: https://www.cefas.co.uk/Default.aspx?RedirectMessage=true 

As a result of testing over many years (ongoing), the Isle of Man is able to demonstrate freedom from the following major fish diseases under the declaration below: 

       i. The Isle of Man is an approved zone for the purpose of trade in aquaculture animals and products according to Directive 2006/88/EC and is approved as free from the following diseases: Infectious Haematopoietic Necrosis (IHN) Viral Haemorrhagic Septicaemia (VHS) and Infectious Salmon Anaemia virus (ISA) in accordance with European Union Commission Decision 2009/177/EC as amended. 

     ii. The Isle of Man zone is free from Infectious Pancreatic Necrosis (IPN), Bacterial Kidney Disease (Renibacterium salmoninarum), Spring Viraemia of Carp (SVC) and Gyrodactylus salaris in accordance with Decision 2010/221/EU. 

    iii. Oncorhynchus masou virus (OMV) Epizootic Haematopoietic Necrosis virus (EHN) and Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome (EUS) are not established in Community aquaculture, the pathogens are not known to be present in Community waters and are considered exotic to the Isle of Man. 

In addition to the biannual testing, the certifying veterinary surgeons visit exporting locations on a regular basis throughout the year and on every occasion when certificate conditions require it. 

Please contact: Agriculture@gov.im for further information.