If you introduce certain fish and shellfish diseases to places where they’re not currently found, they can cause significant economic and environmental damage. These ‘notifiable’ diseases are classified as either exotic or non-exotic. All notifiable diseases are strictly controlled. If you suspect your stock is infected you are legally required to tell the Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI).

The FHI will normally require you to restrict the movement of fish and shellfish on your site so they can investigate the suspected outbreak and test for the disease. These restrictions will be lifted if the tests are negative or – if a disease is confirmed – once the FHI is satisfied your site has been properly cleared, cleansed and disinfected.

This guide gives details of each notifiable disease and explains their symptoms and the species they affect. It also provides advice to help you reduce the possibility of outbreaks of disease at your site.

Read the rest of this guide on the Gov UK website.