Transport Management

Effects of Stress During Transportation

Fish respond to transport with several adverse reactions. In general these reactions lead to a rapid deterioration in water quality which ultimately leads to deterioration in fish quality and increased mortality. When fish are stressed and confined to high densities they respond with an increase in metabolic rate, blood flow, gill permeability and ion exchange. This results in increased oxygen (O₂) consumption and increased carbon dioxide (CO₂) excretion. In addition, fish increase production and excretion of waste products such as feces and mucus. The waste products accumulate in the holding system leading to often dangerous levels of toxic ammonia (NH₃).

Types of Live Transport

There are two basic transport systems for live fish - the enclosed transport and the semi-enclosed transport.

How Can AQUI-S^® Anaesthetic Help Your Transport?

Sedating fish with AQUI‑S^® prior to and during transport will reduce stress and decrease the metabolic activity of the fish. This will lead to a lower O₂ demand and a reduction in CO₂ and waste production. As a result, a non-toxic environment will be maintained for longer in the transport vessel.

AQUI‑S^® has proven to be effective for short duration transport (<2 hrs) such as local smolts to sea or longer transports (>40 hrs) such as live lobster, eel or cod to distant international markets. The mode and duration of transport will dictate the method of sedation and the dose of AQUI‑S^® required.

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