Minnesota Administrative Rules
Agency 158 - Natural Resources Department
Chapter 6287 - QUARANTINE FACILITIES FOR FISH EGGS
Part 6287.0600 - OPERATION OF QUARANTINE FACILITY

Subpart 1. Egg receiving.

All egg deliveries must have a certified health inspection statement for parental stock from which the eggs were taken. Fish eggs may only be received in the receiving area. A complete disinfection, as described in subpart 5, of the egg receiving area is required before and after each egg delivery. All eggs must be disinfected before transfer into quarantine units. Transfer of disinfected eggs from the egg receiving area shall be done by a person who was not in contact with the incoming eggs before they were disinfected. All packing materials, excess fluids, and other materials related to the shipping of eggs must be incinerated or chlorinated to avoid potential spread of pathogen.

Subp. 2. Transfer into quarantine.

Eggs from the same lot may be transferred into more than one quarantine unit provided the units remain isolated.

Subp. 3. Quarantine period.

All fish hatched from quarantined eggs must remain quarantined for a minimum of 12 months, unless they are sold directly to an outlet for processing and human consumption, or unless the fish develop a certifiable disease and must be removed as provided by subpart 6.

Subp. 4. Facility disinfection.

The following procedure will be considered a complete disinfection when using chlorine.

Subp. 5. Effluent disinfection.

Effluent treatment methods must be approved by the commissioner and must comply with chapter 7050. If chlorine disinfectant is used, a measurable residual level of 1.0 part per million active chlorine must be maintained for one hour of retention time. The design must include a backup system that ensures noninterrupted treatment of effluent. Concentration of the disinfectant must be monitored by a recording-sensing device that is functional at all times.

Subp. 6. Inspection and disposal of diseased fish.

Daily mortalities may be inspected by the commissioner. Mortalities not required for inspection must remain in the quarantine unit and be placed in disinfectant until they are properly disposed.

If a certifiable disease is detected, a confirmational test must be done. Upon confirmation of a certifiable disease, the commissioner may order that fish be destroyed, sold for human consumption, or otherwise disposed.

Each quarantine facility must dispose of fish mortalities by use of a gas- or oil-fired incinerator or by other disposal methods approved by the commissioner. Equipment and solid waste materials that are potentially contaminated with fish pathogens must be treated by chlorination or an alternate method approved by the commissioner.

Subp. 7. Disinfection required.

A complete disinfection of the quarantine unit, as described in subpart 5, is required after fish are released from quarantine or after the discovery of a certifiable disease.

If a certifiable disease is detected, sentinel fish must be kept in the affected quarantine unit after disinfection to verify the effectiveness of disinfections, and held for at least 120 days following disinfection. All mortalities of sentinel fish must be monitored and inspected for disease. Surviving sentinel fish must be subjected to a heat stress test.

Subp. 8. Personnel movement.

Access to quarantine facilities must be limited to designated personnel only. Personnel entering or exiting an egg receiving area or quarantine unit must use a disinfection station. Personnel must disinfect themselves using foot baths and hand washes, and wear protective clothing prior to entering or exiting a quarantine unit or an egg receiving area. Used outer clothing must be disposed of or laundered with disinfectants.