Transport of Live Fish: Introduction

Transport of Live Fish

Introduction

Because juvenile farms, on-growing farms and slaughterhouses can be located in different places, it is necessary to transport live fish and other aquatic organisms. Live fish may be transported as fry or juveniles to on-growing farms, and the adult fish may be transported to the slaughterhouse. There is also some transport of fry and juvenile fish associated with restocking in the wild. Transport of fish can be classified as external transport (normally known as transport) and internal transport of fish inside the farm area. The differences are in the distance and duration of the transport.

The equipment used for transporting fry/juvenile and adult fish is similar in design. The main diffeence concerns the size of the tank, which must be of sufficient volume, and fitted with large enough hatches and/or valves for filling and tapping out the fish.

All procedures will vary depending on the species to be transported. However, all transport will result in extra stress for the fish, possibly leading to death;^1,2 this will not necessarily occur during transport, but can do so over several days after transport. Good preparation before transport and good routines during transport and reception are therefore important. There may also be government regulations concerning the transport of live fish and other aquatic animals, based on animal welfare needs. Acceptable fish densities and requirements for adding new water, or water exchange, serve as examples. These regulations may also include requirements for design of the trans-port equipment, so this must be checked before-hand. Several methods are employed for transport of fish, and a survey of those used follows.