AAQ Commercial Hatchery Code of Best Practice  
  In 2009 the AAQ (Aquaculture Association of Queensland Inc.) began the process of accrediting professional commercial hatcheries under the Commercial Hatchery Code of Best Practice. The code was developed in consultation with fisheries authorities in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. The Queensland Government provided funding to employ an independent auditor to access hatcheries compliance to the code of practice.  The code focuses on desired outcomes. Hatcheries must be able to demonstrate their ability to meet these outcomes. Those outcomes are:  
 

1. Ecologically Sustainable Development

 eg • Comply with the AAQ Freshwater
 Finfish Environmental Code of Best Practice

• Fish over 250 mm in total length sold for
stocking, the hatchery can demonstrate
that an appropriate food safety plan is in place

 

2. Maximise Genetic Variation for Stocking
of Queensland Waters

eg • Broodstock Records

• Spawning Records demonstrating
intent/purpose

• Sale/stocking records

 

3. Maximise the Health of Broodstock
and their Progeny

eg • Prepare, implement and demonstrate
a Fish Health Management Plan

 

4. Approved Chemicals and Authorisations

eg • Records of all treatments used on
fingerlings for all sales.

• Records of all chemicals on site and their current veterinary surgeon authorisations if required

 

5. No Movement of Non Target Species

eg • Demonstrate proven hatchery management strategies used to eliminate all insect, plant and non-target fish species from fingerling consignments

6. Stocking of Appropriate Species

 eg • Provide advice to purchaser on appropriate fish to stock

• Provide copy of DPI Stocking Brochure

• Sale records of what, to who, where, and when.

 

7. Reliable Larvae & Fingerling Counts

eg • volumetrically/weight for large orders

• Stress reduction methods

• One count at hatchery, preferred option