Checklist for Triploid Grass Carp Inspectors and Producers
Before the Grass Carp Producer contacts the USFWS Inspector he/she will review their on-site conditions to ensure that the Certification process will be efficient and effective. The Grass Carp Producer will conform to the checklist requirements:
- The Grass Carp Producer will contact the USFWS Inspector and schedule an Inspection. The Grass Carp Producer will identify the number of fish expected to be shipped and provide this number to the Inspector. Number ___________ .
- A minimum of two diploid grass carp control fish from the Producer's site (and preferably taken from the lot of fish being certified) will be used to calibrate the inspection equipment for each and every inspection. As an option, 2.8 micron polystyrene beads may be used as a standard to calibrate when diploids are unavailable at the time of the inspection.
- The Producer will individually check the group of grass carp for ploidy, and segregate the triploid grass carp within isolated containment units (vat/ tank) prior to the Inspection visit by the USFWS Inspector.
- Diploid grass carp used for controls and/or for sale must be isolated in separate containment units (vat/tank) on the producers site at least six (6) feet away from the presumptive triploid grass carp group(s) being contained for subsequent certification by inspectors.
- The Channelizer and Coulter Counter will be in acceptable working order prior to on-site arrival of the USFWS Inspector.
Notes:
- Producers will recognize that each Inspection Office will keep one day "free" for other USFWS activities, and accordingly, the Producers will request Certification Inspections for an alternate weekday. The Producer will give the USFWS Inspector sufficient notice that a triploidy inspection is needed -- a minimum of two-working-days should give the USFWS Inspector sufficient time to adjust his/her schedule.
- Inspection requests by the Producer for groups of fish of less than 1500 will only be performed when agreed upon, in advance, by the USFWS Inspector.
- If fish are not sold or shipped within the six calendar day period of the certificate, the fish must be re-certified in order to retain USFWS certification for sale or shipment after the expiration date of the original certificate.
Inspection Date_______________
Inspector's Signature_____________________ Inspection Time_______________
