Government is working with the Nova Scotia Veterinary Medical Association to develop standards for certifying aquatic animal clinic facilities.

Veterinarians practising aquatic animal medicine in Nova Scotia will do so in facilities accredited by the association to meet standards similar to those required for other types of veterinary facilities.

The standards will include requirements such as mandatory case file maintenance systems, emergency veterinary duties and minimum laboratory standards, and other technical specifications.

“Nova Scotians are telling us that they support aquaculture development that is done in a responsible way,” said Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Keith Colwell. “Fish health monitoring plays an important part in responsible development and having these standards in place will help ensure our capacity to do it is consistent in Nova Scotia.”

Once the standards are in place, government’s veterinary lab in Bible Hill will be the first facility in the province to become an accredited aquatic animal clinic by the association. The lab is responsible under regulations for fish health monitoring related to aquaculture in Nova Scotia.

“We are happy to collaborate with the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture to develop standards for aquatic animal medicine related to the province’s aquaculture industry,” said Frank Richardson, registrar, Nova Scotia Veterinary Medical Association.

Veterinarians who wish to practise aquatic animal medicine in the province’s aquaculture industry will now have to practise from an accredited facility based in Nova Scotia.

Last fall, government released new regulations for aquaculture leases and licences and management, including fish health monitoring. The regulations are available at http://novascotia.ca/fish/aquaculture/laws-regs/ .

Information about the Nova Scotia Veterinary Medical Association is available at http://www.nsvma.ca/.

Source: Release