NEW: USDA Handling Fish Fed to Fish-Eating Animals
Handling fish safely is a challenge that nearly all zoos face.
New fish handling guidance is here:
We are proud to announce that the new USDA Guidelines for handling fish fed to fish-eating animals are out. There are a number of changes from the original edition, such as allowing 18 months instead of 12 to store fish after the catch date, more nuance for common practice of partially thawing (tempering) and re-freezing fish, and more.
Abstract:
Most captive fish-eating animals (including cetaceans, pinnipeds, and a variety of bird and fish species) are fed frozen, thawed fish. Since daily food availability is crucial to any managed care program, most fish purchases are made in bulk. This requires the items to be frozen and stored until use. Given the perishable nature of fish, appropriate food-handling procedures are crucial to the nutritive quality of the food and consequently to the successful management and welfare of the animals.
USDA Guidance
Citation
Maslanka, M., J. Watts, H. Bissell, M. Brooks, S. Gourlie, B. Henry, K. Kappen, A. Reppert, K. Slifka, K. Sullivan, and B. Toddes. 2023. Handling Fish Fed to Fish-Eating Animals. USDA-APHIS Animal Care. Maslanka Et Al 2023. USDA.fish-fed-to-fish-eating-animals. 2nd Rev
Abstract
Handling fish safely is a challenge that nearly all zoos face.
We are proud to announce that the new USDA Guidelines for handling fish fed to fish-eating animals are out. There are a number of changes from the original edition, such as allowing 18 months instead of 12 to store fish after the catch date, more nuance for common practice of partially thawing (tempering) and re-freezing fish, and more.
Most captive fish-eating animals (including cetaceans, pinnipeds, and a variety of bird and fish species) are fed frozen, thawed fish. Since daily food availability is crucial to any managed care program, most fish purchases are made in bulk. This requires the items to be frozen and stored until use. Given the perishable nature of fish, appropriate food-handling procedures are crucial to the nutritive quality of the food and consequently to the successful management and welfare of the animals.
Maslanka Et Al 2023. USDA.fish-fed-to-fish-eating-animals. 2nd Rev.pdf 2 MB
