Have You Disinfected Your Boots? A Case Study of Food Safety and Biosecurity Practices of a Salmon Farm in Chile

Abstract

This article explores the food safety practices and biosecurity measures of a Chilean salmon farm. The farm participated in detailed discussions on biosecurity and farm food safety practices and, in addition to the biosecurity measures, the following all play important roles in ensuring fish health and reduction of mortalities and outbreaks: optimum stocking density, respect and coordination between different farm sites in relation to the Area Management Agreement, and quality of smolt during fish transfer. From this and other studies, it is evident that we need to look for a balance between biosecurity measures and management factors; however, we are still unable to quantify biosecurity measures. One practical and cost-effective way would be to look at past epidemiological and mortality data and the period when biosecurity measures were applied to see if there was an association between application of biosecurity measures and subsequent reduction in mortalities and infections. If yes, then this is a good sign signifying that the strict biosecurity measures are working. Similar to Good Aquaculture Practices, biosecurity measures need to be adopted as a whole package, and the reduction of one point may have significant consequences on the whole process. The present study captured a snapshot of real-time farm food safety and biosecurity practices of a Chilean salmon farm. However, because of the limited nature of this study, the findings should not be extrapolated to all farms in the country or region.