UK Seafood Fund: Skills and Training Scheme

Continuing professional development (CPD) which improves fish welfare and supports veterinary personnel and technicians with early identification of signs of poor fish health (e.g. gill scoring; evidence of parasites such as sea lice) or environmental health can reduce the risk of export consignments being rejected. A standardised approach to gill scoring can contribute to the development of robust strategies to mitigate the impacts of gill disease on fish health and welfare, helping to prevent economic losses.

Improved knowledge and use of fish health data support can support the sector to verify the quality and provenance of farmed fish – an important UK export.

Developing veterinary sector CPD addresses a current shortage area and has the potential to improve sector productivity underpinned by the best possible health and welfare standards.

SRUC will, where appropriate, use a ‘train the trainer’ approach – particularly for subjects such as gill scoring practical techniques.