Fish Health

Fish Health Main Image. Photographer David Branigan

Fish Health Unit Overview

Our Fish Health Unit is the Competent Authority for the implementation of aquatic animal health legislation and the Irish National Reference Laboratory for finfish, mollusc and crustacean diseases.

 


Competent Authority. Photographer David Branigan
Competent Authority
We are the Competent Authority for the implementation in Ireland of Regulation (EU) 2016/429, ‘the Animal Health Law’, as it relates to the health of aquaculture animals and the prevention and control of certain aquatic diseases.

 


Finfish, Mollusc and Crustacean Disease Diagnostics. Copyright Marine Institute
Finfish, Mollusc and Crustacean Disease Diagnostics

The Fish Health Unit (FHU) is the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) for diseases of fish, molluscs and crustaceans. The NRL is responsible for developing, validating and implementing appropriate methods to test for relevant diseases which are listed in Annex II to Regulation (EU) 2016/429 (AHL) and in the Annexes to Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/260, as well as potential emerging diseases. Diagnostic services are also provided as necessary, in support of the management of non-listed diseases by operators and their veterinarians.

To access further information on the work of the National Reference Laboratory and the diagnostic services provided please visit https://www.fishhealth.ie/fhu/about-us/national-reference-laboratory.

 


Aquatic Diseases. Copyright Marine Institute
Aquatic Diseases

The FHU implements a surveillance programme for relevant Category C diseases of aquatic animals which are listed in the Annexes to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1882, and Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/260, as well as other diseases of aquatic animals which are of importance to the Irish aquaculture industry.

To access further information on Aquatic Diseases please visit https://www.fishhealth.ie/fhu/health-surveillance/aquatic-diseases.

 


Management of non-listed Aquatic Diseases. Copyright Marine Institute
Management of Non-Listed Diseases of Aquatic Animals

Diseases of aquatic animals that are not listed in Annex II to Regulation (EU)2016/429, or for which Ireland does not have approved national measures in accordance with Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/260, are managed by the aquaculture operator and their private veterinary practitioner.

Details of how these diseases are managed are outlined in the Farmed Salmonid Health Handbook and the Code of Practice, which were devised under the AQUAPLAN project and are available to view at https://www.fishhealth.ie/fhu/health-surveillance/aquaplan-fish-health-management-ireland