Fish Health

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.

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.

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.

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