Import Health Standard  
Issued und er the Biosecurity Act 1993   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Aquatic Animal Pr oducts  
AQUAPROD.GEN  
[Document Date]  
 Import Health Standard : Aquatic Animal Products   
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Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  1 of 35 
TITLE  
Import Health Standard : Aquatic Animal Products  
COMMENCEMEN T 
This Import Health Standard  comes into force on  [Effective Date ]  
ISSUING AUTHORITY  
This Import Health Standard  is issued under section 24A of the Biosecurity Act 1993.  
 
Date d at Wellington , [Document Date]  
 
Stephen Cobb  
Manager , Animal Health  
Ministry for Primary Industries  
(acting under dele gated authority of the Director -General)  
 
Contact for further information  
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)  
Biosecurity New Ze aland  
Animal Imports  Team  
PO Box 2526  
Wellington 6140  
Email: animal.imports@mpi.govt.nz  Import Health Standard : Aquatic Animal Products   
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Contents  Page 
Introduction  3 
Part 1:  Requirements  9 
1.1 Application  9 
1.2 Incorporation by reference  9 
1.3 Definitions  9 
1.4 Requirements for clearance  9 
1.5 Exporting country systems and  certification  10 
1.6 Processing  10 
1.7 Packaging  10 
1.8 Third country pr ocessed products  11 
1.9 Import permit information  11 
1.10  Documentation that must accompany goods  11 
1.11  Transitional period  12 
Part 2:  General processing requirements  14 
2.1 Salmonid fish products  14 
2.2 Non-salmonid fish products  15 
2.3 Crustacean products  18 
2.4 Mollusc produ cts 19 
2.5 Echinode rm products  20 
2.6 Tunicate products  20 
2.7 Cnidarian (jellyfish) products  20 
2.8 Aquatic animal meal and aquatic animal oil  20 
Schedule 1 – Document history  21 
Schedule 2 – Definitions  22 
Schedule  3 – Fish families and their disease susceptibilities  25 
Schedul e 4 – Fish families relevant to clause 2.2.3(1)(a)  30 
Schedule 5 – Fish species relevant to clause 2.2.3(1)(b)  31 
Schedule 6 – Fish sp ecies relevant to clause 2.2.3(1)(c)  32 
Schedule 7 – Fish families relevant to clause 2.2.5.1(1)(b)  33 
Schedule 8 – Crustacean species  relevant to clauses 2.3.1(1)(b)(i) and 2.3.2.1(1)  34 
Schedule 9 – Processing requirements at the transitional facility  35 
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Introduction  
This introduction  is not part of the  Import Health Standard  (IHS) , but is intended to indicate its general effect.  
Purpose  
This IHS specifies the minimum biosecurity requirements that must be met when importing  into New Zealand  
aquatic animal products  for all uses other than  as bait or feed for aquatic animals . 
The identified risk organisms associated with aquatic animal products that are managed by this IHS are:  
Risk organisms in fish  
Viruses  
a) Epizootic haematopoietic necrosis virus  (EHNV)  / European catfish virus  (ECV)  / European 
sheatfish virus (ESV)  
b) European eel virus  (EVE)  
c) European eel herpesvirus  (EEHV)  
d) Grass carp haemorrhagic virus  (GCHV)  
e) Grouper iridovirus  (GIV)  
f) Hirame rhabdovirus (HIRRV)  
g) Infectious haematopoietic necrosis virus  (IHNV)  
h) Infectious pancreatic necrosis vi rus (IPNV)  / Halibut birnavirus  / viral deformity of yellowtail virus  
i) Infectious salmon anaemia virus  (ISAV)  
j) Koi herpesvirus  (KHV)  
k) New Japan virus (NJV)  
l) Nodaviruses, includi ng viral nervous necrosis virus  (NNV)  
m) Oncorhynchus masou  virus  (OMV)  
n) Piscine aquar eovirus  (PRV)  / Salmon aquareovirus  / Tasmanian salmon reovirus  / grass carp 
reovirus  / Turbout reovirus  (TRV)  / Heart and skeletal muscle inflammation syndrome virus  
o) Red sea bream iridovirus  (RSIV)  / Infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus  (ISKNV)  / Gourami 
iridovirus  
p) Salmon alphavirus  (SAV)  / Salmon pancreatic disease virus  
q) Salmon gill poxvirus  (SGPV)  / Carp oedema vir us / koi sleepy disease virus  
r) Spring viraemia of carp virus  (SVCV)  / Pike fry rhabdovirus  
s) Viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus  (VHSV)  
Bacteria  
a) Aeromonas  hydrophila  (exotic strains)   
b) Aeromonas  salmonicida  var. salmonicida  (atypical strains)   
c) Aeromonas  salmonicida  var. salmonicida  (typical strains)   
d) Edwardsiella  spp.  
e) Flavobacterium  columnare  (exotic strains)   
f) Francisella  spp.  
g) Moritella  viscosa  
h) Piscirickettsia  salmonis  and related Rickettsia -like organisms   
i) Pseudomonas  anguilliseptica   
j) Renibacterium  salmoninarum  
k) Streptococcus  agalactiae  (serotype III: 283)   
l) Streptococcus  iniae   
m) Yersinia  ruckeri  (Hagerman and other exotic strains)   
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Fungi and Microsporidia  
a) Aphanomyces invadans   
b) Ichthyophonus hoferi   
c) Microsporidian pathog ens  
d) Sphaerothecum destruens   
Metazoa  
a) Anguillicola crassus   
b) Myxozoa (including Enteromyxum, Henneguya, Kudoa, Myxobolus, Sphaerospora , and 
Unicapsula )  
c) Cestode larvae  
d) Digene an larvae  
e) Monogenean parasites, including Gyrodactylus salaris  
Risk organisms  in crustacea ns 
Fung us 
a) Aphanomyces astaci  
Protozoa  
a) Hematodinium  and Hematodinium -like spp.  
Metazoa  
a) Angiostrongylus cantonensis  
b) Paragonimus  spp. 
Background  
The Biosecurity Act 1993 (the Act) provides the legal basis for excluding, eradicating and effectively managing 
pests and unwanted organisms.  
Import health standards issued under the Act set out requirements to be met to effectively manage biosecurity 
risks associated with im porting goods. They include requirements that must be m et in the exporting country, 
during transit, and before biosecurity clearance can be given.  
Guidance boxes are included within this IHS for explanatory purposes. The guidance included in these boxes 
is for information only and has no legal effect.  
A separa te Guidance Document  accompanies this IHS providing information on how requirements may be 
met. 
Who should read this  Import Health Standard ? 
This IHS should be read by importers of aquatic anima l products  for all uses other than as bait or feed for 
aquatic animals , imported from all countries . For the purposes of this IHS, aquatic animal product mean s a 
non-viable commodity derived from fish, aquatic crustacea ns, aquatic molluscs, echinoderms , tunicates, and 
cnidarians . 
 
Guidance  
• Aquatic animal  products brought in as private consignment may qualify for clearance under the Import 
Health Standard: Personal Consignments Animal Products , PERSONAL.ALL . See section  5.3 of the 
Guidance Document  for further  information  regarding this IHS . 
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Why is this important?  
It is the importer’s responsibility to ensure the requirement s of this IHS are met. Consignments that do not 
comply with the requirements of this IHS may not be cleared for entry into New Zealand and/or further 
information may be sought from importers. Consignments that do not comply with the requirements of this IH S 
may be re -shipped or destroyed under the Act o r treated in accordance with this IHS prior to release or 
equivalence determined. Importers are liable for all associated expenses.  
The costs to MPI in performing functions relating to the importation of aquatic animal products  will be 
recovered in accor dance with the Act and any regulations made under the Act. All costs involved with 
documentation, transport, storage and obtaining a biosecurity clearance must be covered by the importer or 
agent.  
Equivale nce 
The Chief Technical Officer (CTO) may issue  a direction under section 27(1)(d) of the Act that measures 
different from those set out in this IHS may be applied to effectively manage risks associated  with the 
importation of these goods.  
If an equivalent  measure is approved, an import permit may be i ssued under section 24D(2) of the Act if the 
Director -General considers it appropriate to do so. The details of the CTO direction on equivalence will be 
included as notes in the special conditions section of t he permit to inform the inspector’s assessment of the 
commodity.  
MPI’s preference is that the exporting country’s Competent Authority makes equivalence requests.  
Equivalence requests can be lodged with  the Animal Imports Team:  animal.imports@mpi.govt.nz . 
An import permit application form can be found on the MPI website at:  Permit to Import Ani mal Products , or a 
permit application can be lodged online at the following weblink (when active): 
https://animalplantimportpermit.mpi.govt.nz/   
Transitional facility  
Following biosecurity author isation being given  under section 25 of the Act , aquatic animal products (where 
applicable) must proceed directly to the transitional facility named on the import permit.  
The documentation will be checked to ensure the aquatic animal product s meet the rele vant requirements 
specifie d in Part 1: Requirements  and Part 2: General Processing Requirements .   
Inspection  
On arrival, all documentation accompanying the consignment will be verified by an inspector.  
Document History  
Refer to Schedule 1.  
Other information  
This is not an exha ustive list of compliance requirements . It is the importer’s responsibility to be familiar with 
and comply with all New Zealand laws.  
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Import health standards  
a) Certain salmonid and non -salmonid fish products for human consump tion (such as those in retort 
packaging, or those that are composite products containing dairy and egg ingredients in addition 
to aquatic animal ingredients) may be imported under the relevant clause in this IHS or under the 
relevant clause in the Import Health Standard: Specified Animal Products , SPECPROD.ALL.  
b) Aquatic animal products that contain other risk ingredients (such as egg, dairy  andhoney) must 
meet the requirements in the  relevant IHSs for these additional risk ingredients before biosecurity 
clearance will be issued.  You can view all the IHSs at this link: 
https://www.mpi.govt .nz/legal/compliance -requirements/ihs -import -health -standards/   
c) Aquatic animal product s that are of New Zealand origin but are returned to New Zealand must 
meet the requirements under the Import Health Standard: Returned New Zealand Animal 
Products , RETURNAP.ALL , before biosecurity clearance will be issued.  
d) Other relevant IHSs must also be complied wi th before biosecurity clearance will be issued. 
These include , but are not limited to , the following : 
i) Aquatic animal products imported in sea containers must comply with the Import He alth 
Standard: Sea Containers . 
ii) Containers made of timber must meet the requirements in the Import Health Standard: 
Wood Packaging Material from All Countries . 
Trout import prohibitions  
Imported tr out products must comply with the Customs Import Prohibition (Trout) Order . 
 
Products derived from t he following trout species are  prohibited from b eing imported unless prior consent is 
obtained from the New Zealand Minister for Conservation , unless the consignment is less than 10 kilograms 
and is not intended for sale . The Department of Conservation's P ermissions Team  at 
permissionshamilton@doc.govt.nz  processes consent applications.  
a) Brown trout ( Salmo trutta ) 
b) Rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss , formerly known as Salmo gairdneri ) 
c) American brook trout or char ( Salvelinus fontinalis ) 
d) Lake trout or c har (Salvelinus namaycush ) 
e) Cutthroat trout ( Oncorhynchus clarki , formerly known as Salmo clarki ) 
f) Golden trout ( Oncorhynchus aguabonita , formerly known as Salmo aguabonita ) 
g) Gila trout ( Oncorhynchus gilae , formerly known as Salmo gilae ) 
h) Apache trout ( Oncorhy nchus apache ) 
i) Mexican trout ( Oncorhynchus chrysogaster ). 
 
The order is implemented at the border by New Zealand Customs  Service . 
 
The requirements under the above order are in addition to the biosecurity import requirements as set out in 
clause 2.1 (Salmonid fish products) of this IHS.  
Southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii ) import prohibitions  
Requirements under the Fisheries (Import Prohibitions —Southern Bluefin Tuna) Regulations  apply for 
importing southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii ) products.  
Import of southern bluefin tuna products are prohib ited unless accompanied by relevant catch documents set 
out in the Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna  (CCSBT) Resolution on the 
Implementation of a CCSBT Catch Documentation Scheme . All imports of southern bluefin tuna  products 
must be acc ompanied by an appropriately completed and validated catch monitoring form or re -export/export 
after landing of domestic product form. The exception to this is if the consignment is less than 10 kilograms of 
southern bluefin tuna meat/flesh and is not inte nded for sale.  The import prohibition does not apply to the non -Import Health Standard : Aquatic Animal Products   
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meat/ non-flesh part s of the southern bluefin tuna , such as its head, eyes, roe, fins, gills, gill covers, guts, and 
tail. 
These re gulations are implemented at the border by New Zealand Customs Service . 
The requirements under the se regulations are in addition to the biosecurity import requirements as set out in 
clause 2.2 (Non -salmonid fish products) of this IHS.  
Toothfish (Dissostich us mawsoni  and Dissostichus eleginoides ) import prohibitions  
Requirements under the Fisheries (Import and Export Prohibitions —Toothfish) Regulations  apply for importing 
products derived from Antarctic toothfish ( Dissostichus mawsoni ) and  Patagonian to othfish ( Dissostichus 
eleginoides ). 
Import of toothfish products are prohibited unless a Dissostichus  Catch Document has been issued by the 
exporting country using the Commissio n for the Conse rvation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources ’ 
(CCAMLR) e lectronic Catch Documentation Scheme (e -CDS). The catch document verifies that the toothfish 
was either caught in a manner consistent with CCAMLR’s conservation measures, or that it was  caught 
outsid e the waters covered by the Convention. All imports and exports of toothfish must be accompanied by a 
Dissostichus  Export Document (DED) or , for toothfish that has been previously exported , a Dissostichus  
Re-export Document (DRED).  
These regulations are im plemented at the border by New Zealand Customs Service . 
The requirements under the se regulations are in addition to the biosecurity import  requirement s as set out in 
clause 2.2 (Non -salmonid  fish products) of this IHS.  
Food Act 2014  and the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code  
Consignments of food imported for sale into New Zealand for human consumption must comply with relevant 
requirements of the Food Act 2014  and the Australia New Zea land Food Standards C ode. 
The Food Act 2014 requires that importers of food intended for sale for human consumption are registered 
with MPI prior to the importation of any food into New Zealand. This requirement is independent of the IHS 
requirements. Impo rters are advised to consult MPI’s website ( www.mpi.govt.nz/importing/food/ ) for 
information on the Food Act requirements that importers must meet to import food for sale in New Zealand.  
Some imported seafood products are considered High Regulatory Interest (HRI) food or Increased Regulatory 
Interest (IRI) food and will require food safety clearance on arrival at the New Zealand border. A full list of 
these foods can be found in the Food Notice: Importing Food . Food safety clearance will include a 
documentation check and may include inspection, sampling and testing at the importer’s cost.  
Food sold in New Z ealand must comply with the labelli ng, composition, and contaminant requirements as set 
out in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. Importers are advised to consult MPI’s website for 
more information on this code: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/law -and-policy/legal -overviews/food -safety/australia -
new-zealand -co-operation/food -standards -australia -new-zealand -fsanz/ . 
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Animal Produ cts Act 1999  
The importation of the following animal material or product must comply with the requirements issued in 
Overseas Market Access Requirements (OMAR) 01/172  under the Animal Product s Act 1999:  
a) Imported animal materials or products, or products containing animal materials or products, that 
is of New  Zealand origin and has been returned to New Zealand for re -export where official 
assurance is required, and  
b) Imported animal material or product of foreign origin intended for export or further processing for 
export where official assurance is required.  
To arrange for inspection of any animal materials or animal products, contact your primary verifier or local MPI 
Verification Services offi ce. 
CITES  
It is the responsibility of the importer to ensure that the consignment is accompanied by any permit(s) requi red 
to meet the legislation of the country of origin and the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered 
Species (CITES) http://www.cites.org . See the New Zealand Department of Conservation for further details : 
http://www.doc.govt.nz/about -doc/role/internationa l/endangered -species/ .  
The importer is advised to clarify the status of the species of animal in relation to internat ional agreements on 
their trade, prior to export. Material arriving in New Zealand without the relevant CITES permits may be 
subject to s eizure by the New Zealand Department of Conservation.  
Any requirement for CITES or other conservation -related document ation must be met by the 
exporter/importer.  
Trade Single Window (TSW)  and Customs clearance  
All goods imported into New Zealand need to b e cleared by the New Zealand Customs Service and MPI. To 
gain customs clearance, the required documentation must be lodged through the Trade Single Window (TSW) 
portal.  
For more information about the TSW portal, please visit www.customs.govt.nz/business/trade -single -window/ .  Import Health Standard : Aquatic Animal Products   
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Part 1:  Requirements  
1.1 Application  
(1) This IHS applies to import ers of aquatic animal products  from any country for all uses other than as 
bait or feed for aquatic anima ls. 
(2) Aquatic animal products sourced from within New Zealand’s Territorial Sea and Exclusive Economic 
Zone are deemed to be of New Zealand origin. The requirements of this IHS will not apply to these 
product s (see definitions for Territorial Sea and Exclusi ve Economic Zone in Schedule  2 of this IHS) . 
(3) Aquatic animal products sourced from areas of the ocean outside New Zealand’s Exclusive Economic 
Zone are deemed to be of New Zealand origin provided the y are covered by a valid high seas fishing 
permit  issued b y MPI  (detailed information is available at this link). 
1.2 Incorporation by refer ence  
(1) The following international standard  and database are incorporated by reference in this IHS under 
section 142M of the Act:   
a) The World Organisation for Animal Health ( OIE) Aquatic Animal Health Code  (the Aquatic Code ), 
available at the OIE website:  https://www.oie.int/en/what -we-do/standards/codes -and-
manuals/aquatic -code -online -access/   
b) FishBase ( www.fishbas e.org). 
(2) Under section 142O(3) of the Act , it is declared that section 142O(1) does not apply . That is, a notice 
under section 142O(2) of the Act is not required to be published before material that amends or 
replaces the standards, guideline or lists incor porated under clauses 1.2(1) and (2) above has legal 
effect as part of this IHS . 
 
Guidance  for clause 1.2  
• Incorporation by reference means that standards, guidelines or lists are incorporated into the 
IHS, and they form part of the requirements . 
 
1.3 Definit ions 
(1) For the purposes of this IHS and the associated guidance , terms used that are defined in the Act have 
the meanings set out there. The Act is available at www.legislation.govt.nz . 
(2) See Schedule 2  of this IH S for additional definitions that apply . 
1.4 Requirements for clearance  
(1) To obtain biosecurity clearance, aquatic animal products  for all uses other than  as bait or feed for 
aquatic animals  must:  
a) Meet the requirements of clauses 1.6 and 1.7  of Part 1 : Requi rements , and applicable clauses in 
Part 2 : General processing requirements ; and 
b) For products described in clauses 2.1, 2.2.2, and 2.3.1, be imported from a country that the CTO 
is satisfied meets the export ing country systems and certification requirements  of clause 1.5; and  
c) Be accompanied by an import permit for products described in  clause s 1.9(1)(b); 2.1(1)(c), 2.2.4, 
and 2.4.2(1)(b) , as applicable; and  Import Health Standard : Aquatic Animal Products   
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d) Where required  by this IHS , be accompanied by  a health certificate meeting the requirements of 
clause 1.10.2.  
1.5 Exporting country systems and certification  
(1) Importers may import aquatic animal products described in clause s 2.1, 2. 2.2, and 2.3.1 only if a CTO 
is satisfied, on the basis of evidence, that the Competent Authority of the exporting country is capab le 
of ensuring that aquatic animal products imported from that country can meet the requirements of this 
IHS. 
(2) The evidence must include details about all of the following  matters , that the CTO considers applicable 
to aquatic animal products from that expor ting country:  
a) The ability of the exporting country’s Competent Authority to verify the health status of aquatic 
animals in the exporting country, zone , or compartment, with respect to the risk organisms 
identified in Schedule 3  (for risk organisms in fish)  and clause 2.3.1 (for risk organisms in 
crustaceans) of this IHS.  
b) The adequacy of the national systems and/or programmes and standards in the exporting 
country for regulatory oversight of the aquatic animal products industry . 
c) The capability of the exporti ng country’s Competent Authority to support the issue of health 
certificates as required by this IHS.  
(3) Importers may not import from a country where the CTO has determined that the Competent Authority 
of the exporting country is no longer capable of ensurin g that aquatic animal products from that country 
can meet the requi rements of this IHS.  
 
Guidance  for clause 1.5  
• The evidence will be obtained during evaluation of the Competent Authority of the exporting 
country in accordance with section 3  of the  Aquatic  Code  titled  Quality of Aquatic Animal Health 
Services . 
• Once the  CTO is satisfied with the exporting country’s evidence for exporting systems and 
certification, MPI and the Competent Authority of the exporting country may commence 
negotiation of the countr y-specific health certificate.  
• To be satisfied with the evidence provided , an in -country or desk -top audit may be carried out at 
any time, including prior to the first shipment of the commodity.  
• See the Guidance Document  accompanying this IHS for more info rmation about exporting 
country systems and certification, and fo r a list of recognised  countries and country -specific 
health  certificates.  
1.6 Processing  
(1) The aq uatic animal products  must be processed at premises that implement  Good Manufacturing 
Practice ( GMP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HAACP) programmes to the 
satisfaction of the Competent Authority of the exporting country.  
(2) The aquatic animal products must be processed at premises that are approved for their export by the 
Competent Au thority of the exporting country.  
1.7 Packaging  
(1) Packaging containing aquatic animal products  must be clean, secure, and fr ee of any organic 
contaminants . Import Health Standard : Aquatic Animal Products   
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1.8 Third country processed product s 
(1) Where aquatic animal products described in  clauses 2.1, 2.2.2, and 2. 3.1 for export to New Zealand 
originate from a country other than the exporting country, the country of origin (source country) of the 
aquatic animal products must be New Zealand or a country recognised under clause 1. 5 to export  the 
aquatic animal products to New Zealand.  
 
Guidance  for clause 1.8  
• The ability to export aquatic animal products from source countries other than the exporting 
country will be considered during the assessment of an exporting country ’s export  and 
certification systems . 
• See the Guida nce Document  for more information on thir d-country processing.  
1.9 Import permit information  
(1) An import permit under section 24D of the Act issued by the Director -General is required if : 
a) It is required in this IHS ; or 
b) A CTO has approved an equivalent measure p rior to import, different from that set in this IHS that 
may be applied to effectively manage risks.  
(2) An import permit is not required where a CTO has issued a direction under section 27(1)(d) for a 
measure that is different from that set in this IHS during  negotiation of a country -specific v eterinary 
certificate and the equivalent measure is incorporated into that certificate.  
 
Guidance  for clause 1.9  
• An import permit application form can be found on the MPI website at this Permit to Import 
Animal Products , or apply for the permit online at the following weblink (when active): 
https://animalplantimportpermit.mp i.govt.nz/  
• Completed application forms can be submitted to the Animal Imports Team: 
animal.imports@mpi.govt.nz . 
1.10 Documentation that must accompany goods  
(1) The consignment must arrive in New Zealand with the documentation that is specified in, and meets 
the requirements of, clauses 1.1 0(2) to 1.1 0(4) below.  
(2) All documentation that is required by clause 1.1 0 to accompany the aquatic animal product  must, 
unless otherwise stated:  
a) Be in English or have an English  translation that is clear and legible.  
b) Be original.  
(3) Health certification that is in a paper format must, unless otherwise stated, be endorsed on every page 
by the Certifying Official with their original stamp, signature , and date or be endorsed in the spa ce 
allocated , and all pages have paper -based alternative security features.  
(4) Health certification that is in an electronic format must, unless otherwise stated, be transmitted directly 
from the Competent Authority of the exporting country to MPI, using an e lectronic system approved by 
MPI for that purpose.  Import Health Standard : Aquatic Animal Products   
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1.10.1  Import permit  
(1) An import permit (copy acceptable) , where required by this IHS, must meet the requirements of  clause 
1.9 (1). 
1.10.2  Health certificate  
(1) A health certificate from the exporting country’s Certifying O fficial , where required by this IHS, must 
include the following:  
a) A unique consignment identifier.  
b) The description, source species  or family  (where applicable), and amount of product.  
c) The n ame and address of the importer (consignee) and exporter  (consignor) . 
d) The n ame, signature , and contact details of the Certifying Official.  
e) Certification and endorsement by the Certifying Official that the  general requirements outlined in 
Part 1 : Requirements  of this I HS have been met.  
f) Certification and endorsem ent by the C ertifying Official that the relevant requirements outlined in 
Part 2 : General Processing Requirements  of this IHS have been met  (except for those 
requirements that a CTO has agreed during negotiation under clause 1.5 as not being required 
for a country -specific health certificate ). 
 
Guidance  for clause 1.10.2  
• Where equivalent measures have been negotiated and agreed with MPI, and a CTO has, prior to 
import, issued a direction under section 27(1)(d) of the Act that is different from those in this 
standard in the form of a negotiated health certificate, a country -specific health certificate must 
accompany the consignment.  
• See the Guidance  Document  for more information about equivalence and country -specific health 
certificates.  
1.11 Transition  period  
(1) From [ date o f final issue ] to [6 months after date of issue ], the requirements of th is Import Health 
Standard: Aquatic Animal Products  may be met by comply ing with the requirements of the  applicable 
IHS set out below that is in force immediately before the issue of th is IHS:  
a) Import Health Standard for the Importation into New Zealand of Caviar for Human Consumption 
from All Countries , FISCAVIC.ALL ; 19 May 20 08. 
b) Import Health Standard for the Importation into New Zealand of Commercial Consignments of 
Fresh/Frozen/Proces sed Salmonids for Human Consumption from the European Community  
FISSALIC.EEC ; 24 September 2004.  
c) Import Health Standard for the Importation int o New Zealand of Cooked Fish from All Countries  
FISCOOIC.ALL ; 11 May 2004.  
d) Import Health Standard for the Importa tion into New Zealand of Fish Eggs/Roe for Human 
Consumption from the European Community , FISROEIC.EEC ; 24 September 2004.  
e) Import Health Standard for the Importation into New Zealand of Frozen Nile Perch (Lates 
niloticus) Skinless, Boneless Fillets for Hum an Consumption from Kenya, Tanzania or Uganda 
(Lake Victoria) , FISNPEIC.ALL ; 28 June 2000.  
f) Import Health Standard for the I mportation of Marine Fisheries Products for Human Consumption 
from All Countries , FISMARIC.ALL ; 6 October 2008.  
g) Import Health Standar d for the Importation into New Zealand of Marine Fisheries Products for 
Human Consumption from the European Community , FISM ARIC.EEC ; 24 September 2004.  
h) Import Health Standard for Processed Tilapia and Catfish for Human Consumption , 
FISFILIC.SPE ; 4 February  2011.  Import Health Standard : Aquatic Animal Products   
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i) Import Health Standard for the Importation into New Zealand of Processed (Rendered) Animal 
Protein Derived from Fish  Material for Animal Feed from the European Community  
FODPPFIC.EEC ; 6 October 2004.  
j) Import Health Standard for the Importation into N ew Zealand of Salmonids for Human 
Consumption from Australia , FISSALIC.AUS ; 16 August 2000.  
k) Import Health Standard for the Importation into New Zealand of Salmonids for Human 
Consumption from Specified Countries , FISSALIC.SPE ; 28 June 2004.  
l) Import Health S tandard for the Importation into New Zealand of Marine Fish for Petfood from All 
Countries , PETFISIC.ALL ; 12 November 1999.  
(2) From [ date of final issue ] to [6 months after date of issue ], the requirements of this Import Health 
Standard: Aquatic Animal Produc ts may be met by complying with the requirements of the  applicable 
clause in the import health standard set out below that is in force immediately before the issue of this 
IHS: 
a) Clause 7.2.3 (Fishmeal and fish oil) of the Import Health Standard for Fish Foo d and Fish Bait 
from all Countries , FISFOOIC.ALL ; 2 December 2011.  
b) Clauses relating to fish oil in the Import Health Standard for the Importation into New Zealand of 
Lard, Rendered Fats and Oils and Fish Oil not for Human Consumption from the European 
Comm unity , INETALIC.EEC ; 11 October 2004 . Import Health Standard : Aquatic Animal Products   
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Part 2:  General processing requiremen ts 
2.1 Salmon id fish  products  
(1) Salmon id fish  products  may be imported provided all of the following requirements are met : 
 
Guidance for clause 2.1(1)  
• Certain salmonid fish products for human con sumption (such as those in retort packaging , or 
those that are composite products containing dairy and egg ingredients in addition to aquatic 
animal ingredients) may be imported under clause 2.1 of this IHS: AQUA PROD.GEN  or under 
the relevant clause of the  Import Health Standard: Specified Animal Products , SPECPROD.ALL . 
 
a) The exporting country is recognised under clause 1.5 of this IHS . 
i) If the exportin g country is not the source country,  then the source country must be 
recognised under clause 1.5 of this IHS.  
b) The product is:  
i) Headed, gilled, and gutted salmon id fish ; or 
ii) Salm onid fish  fillets or steak ; or 
iii) Products derived from further processing of salmon id fish  fillets and/or salmonid fish steak.  
c) For salmon id fish  in headed, gilled, and gutted form,  the consignment is accompanied by  an 
import permit naming the transitional facility to which the consignment will be authorised for 
processing for clearance i n accordance with Schedule 9: Processing Requirements at the 
Transitional Facility . 
d) The consignment is a ccompanied by the negotiated health certificate issued by the Competent 
Authority of the exporting country attesting all of the following : 
i) The product i s derived from fish within the family Salmonidae . 
ii) The product is derived from salmonid fish that were harvested from a population for  which 
a documented health surveillance programme exists which is administered by a competent 
government -authorised agency.  
iii) The product is derived from salmonid fish that were not slaughtered as an official disease 
control measure as a result of an outbrea k of disease.  
iv) The product is derived from salmonid fish that were processed in a premises under the 
supervision of a compet ent government -authorised regulatory agency with responsibility 
for food safety standards during processing of fish for export.  
 
Guidance for claus e 2.1 
• See the Guidance Document for the list of countries that can export salmon id fish  products  to 
New Zeal and. 
• The Guidance Document  has the country -specific health certificates agreed for trade  of salmon id 
fish products.  
• An import permit application form can be found on the MPI website at this Permit to Import 
Animal Products , or apply for the permit online at the following weblink (w hen active): 
https://animalplantimportpermit.mpi.govt.nz/  Import Health Standard : Aquatic Animal Products   
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• For importing trout p roducts, see details under the heading Trout import prohibitions  in the 
sub-section Other information  under the section Introduction . 
2.2 Non-salmon id fish  products  
2.2.1 Marine fish products from Australia  
(1) Whole  fish and fish products may be imported from Australi a for all uses other than as bait or feed for 
aquatic animals  provided the consignment is accompanied by a health certificate attesting all of the 
following:  
a) The fish or the fish product is either:  
i) Sea mullet ( Mugil cephalus ) or derived from this fish spec ies; or 
ii) A marine fish species  or derived from a marine fish sp ecies  (see definition for marine fish 
species in Schedule 2 ). 
b) The fish was caught in Australia’s exclusive economic zone or adjacent international waters . 
2.2.2 Non-salmon id fish products from recogni sed countries  
(1) Whole  fish and fish products from species belonging to families listed in Schedule 3  may be imported 
for all uses other than as bait or feed for aquatic animals  provided all of the following requirements are 
met: 
a) The exporting country is recognised  under clause 1.5.  
b) The exporting coun try is free from the risk organisms of concern to New Zealand as listed in 
Schedule 3 of the IHS for the family the fish species belongs , or the product has been treated by 
an MPI -approved process  to mitigat e the risk organisms of concern to New Zealand  for the family 
the fish species  belongs  to. 
c) The product is accompanied by the negotiated health certificate naming the fish species  that is 
from a family listed in Schedule 3  of the IHS.  
 
Guidance  for clause 2.2.2  
• Clause 2.2.2 provides for the importation of whole, non -salmon id fish and non-salmonid fish 
products that are unable to be imported under the other clauses of this IHS.  
• For non-salmonid fish species belonging to families not listed in Schedule 3 of the IHS,  an 
application can be made  to MPI to request  an additional risk assessment for these species to 
be added to the IHS . 
• The Guidance Document  has a model health certificate that can be used by the Competent 
Authority of the exporting country as a reference f or initiating country -specifi c health certificate 
negotiation. Before trade can begin, a certificate (using the model) must be negotiated and 
agreed between MPI and the Competent Authority of the exporting country. A sample of the 
agreed certificate will b e linked in Section 5.6.2 of the Guidance  Document  and in the dropdown 
area where the Import Health Standard: Aquatic Animal Products  is published on MPI’s 
website.  
• FishBase ( www.fishbase.org ) has the Information by Family  section that provides the list of fish 
species within a family.  Import Health Standard : Aquatic Animal Products   
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2.2.3 Low-risk non-salmon id fish products from any country  
(1) Whole fish and fish products may be imported from any country for all uses other than as bait or feed 
for aquatic animals  provide d they are accompanied by a health certificate with the following 
attestation s: 
a) For fish families listed in Schedule 4: 
i) The fish is from a family listed in Schedule 4  of the IHS.  
b) For fish species listed in Schedule 5: 
i) The fish is a species listed in Schedu le 5 of the IHS . 
ii) The fish has been frozen to a minimum core temperature of -18°C for a period of no t less 
than 168 hours . 
c) For fish species listed in Schedule 6 : 
i) The fish is a species listed in Schedule 6  of the IHS . 
ii) The fish has been frozen to a minimum core temperature of -18°C for a period of no t less 
than four months.  
 
Guidance  for clause 2.2.3  
• The Guidance Document  has a model health certificate that can be used by the Competent 
Authority of the exporting country for the purpose of exporting low -risk no n-salmon id fish 
products to New Zealand. Exporting countries can use the model health certificate to export 
these c ommodities to New Zealand without negotiation or pre -approval by MPI.  
2.2.4 Non-salmon id fish from any country for further processing  in New Zeala nd 
(1) Whole, n on-salmon id fish and fish products of any species may be imported from any country for 
further processin g in New Zealand provided the consignment is accompanied by the following 
document s: 
a) A health certificate identifying the species of fish comprising the consignment  and attesting that 
the species does not belong to the family Salmonidae.  
b) An import  permit that names the transitional facility to which the consignment will be authorised 
for processing for clearance in accordance with Schedule 9: Processing Requirements at the 
Transitional Facility . 
 
Guidance  for clause 2. 2.4 
• The Guidance Document  has a model health certificate that can be used by the Competent 
Authority of the exporting country for the purpose of exporting non -salmon id fish product s for 
further processin g in New Zealand. Exporting countries can use the model health certificate for 
importing these products into New Zealand without negotiation or pre -approval by MPI.  
2.2.5 Specified non -salmon id fish products  from any country  
(1) The following  non-salmon id fish products may be imported from any country for all uses other than as 
bait or feed for aquatic animals , provided they are accompanied by a health certificate with the relevant 
attestation s: 
 
Guidance for clause 2. 2.5 
• The Guidance Document  has a model health certificate that can be used by the Competent 
Authority of the exporting country for the purpose of exporting specified non -salmon id fish Import Health Standard : Aquatic Animal Products   
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Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  17 of 35 
products to New Zealand . Exporting countries can use the model health certificate for importing 
these commodities into New Zealand without negotiation or pre -approval by MPI.  
2.2.5.1  Non-salmon id fish skin-off fillets  
(1) The product is skin-off fillet that is either:  
a) Derived from a fish species  belonging to a family listed in Schedule 3  of the IHS  and frozen to a 
minimum core temperature of  -20°C for a period of no t less than  168 hours ; or 
b) Derived from a fish species belonging to a family listed in Schedule 7 of the IHS.  
2.2.5.2  Dried non-salmon id fish products  
(1) The product is derived from a fish species th at does not bel ong to the family Salmonidae . 
(2) The fish is eviscerated . 
(3) The product h as been m echanically dried (see definition in Schedule 2  of the IHS ) at a minimum  core 
temperature of 100°C for a period of no t less than 30 minutes . 
2.2.5.3  Non-salmon id fish product s in retail p ackaging  
(1) The product is derived from a fish species that does not belong to the family Salmonidae . 
(2) The product is in retail packaging (see defin ition in Schedule 2  of the IHS ) intended for direct sale to 
households and businesses in the food service sector . 
(3) The product is frozen.  
(4) Each retail package has a net content of not more than 1  kg or 1 litre . 
 
Guidance  for clause 2. 2.5.3 
• Products listed in clause 2. 2.5.3 may also meet the requirements under clause 2. 2.5.1 or 
2.2.5.2. 
• Clause 2. 2.5.3 includes , but is not limited to, products such as fish balls, fish cakes, fish 
chowders, fish collars, fish crackers, fish flavourings (including extracts and stocks), fish min ce, 
fish roe, fish sauces, fish soups, kippered fish, marinated fish, ready -to-eat fish meals, sa shimi, 
smoked fish, surimi, whitebait, and whole fish . 
• Certain non -salmonid fish products for human consumption (such as those in retort packaging, 
or those that are composite products containing dairy and egg ingredients in addition to aquatic 
animal ingr edients) may be imported under clause 2.2.5.3 of this I HS or under the relevant 
clause of the Import Health Standard: Specified Animal Products , SPEC PROD.ALL . 
 
  Import Health Standard : Aquatic Animal Products   
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2.3 Crustacean products  
2.3.1 Crustacean product s from recognised  countries  
(1) Crustacean products may be imported for all uses other than as bait or feed for aquatic animals 
provided the following requirements are met:  
a) The exporting country is recognised  under clause 1.5.  
b) The consignment is accompanied by the negotiated health certificate identifying the exporting 
country as being free from the identified risk organisms for the commodity  as specified below:  
i) For products derived from crustacean species lis ted in Schedule 8  of the IHS, t he 
expo rting country must be free from Aphanomyces  astaci . 
ii) For products derived from crab and lobster  species , the exporting country must be free 
from Hematodinium spp. 
 
Guidance  for clause 2.3.1  
• The Guidance Document  has a m odel health certificate that can be used by the Competent 
Authority of the exporting country as a reference for initiating country -specific health certificate 
negotiation. Before trade can begin, a certificate (using the model) must be negotiated a nd 
agree d between MPI and the Competent Authority of the exporting country. A sample of the 
agreed certificate will be linked in Section 5.6.2 of the Guidance  Document  and in the dropdown 
area where the Import Health Standard: Aquatic Animal Products  is pu blished on MPI’s 
website.  
2.3.2 Specified  crustacean product s from any country  
(1) The following crustacean products may be imported from any country for all uses other than as bait or 
feed for aquatic animals , provided they are accompanied by a health certificate with the  relevant 
attestations.  
2.3.2.1  Heat -treated  crustacean product s 
(1) For crustacean  species  listed in Schedule 8 of the IHS, the product has been heat  treated to one of the 
following temperature /time parameters : 
a) Heat  treated to a minimum core temperature of 100°C for a period of no t less than one minute ; or 
b) Heat  treated to a minimum core temperature of 90°C for a period of no t less than 10 minutes.  
(2) For all other crustacean species, the product is heat  treated until all protein i n the crustacean meat is 
coagulated.  
 
Guidance for clause 2.3.2.1  
• Dried crustacean products  for uses other than as bait or feed for aquatic animals  can be 
imported under clause 2.3.2.1 . 
• Crustacean meals for uses other than as bait or feed for aquatic animals can be imported either 
under clause 2. 3.2.1 or clause 2. 8 of this IHS.  
2.3.2.2  Frozen crustacean product s 
(1) For crustacean species listed in Schedule 8  of the IHS, the product has been frozen to a minimum core 
temperature of -20°C for a period of no t less than 72 hours.  
(2) For all other crustacean species , the product has been frozen to a minimum core temperature of 
- 18°C.  Import Health Standard : Aquatic Animal Products   
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2.3.2.3  Crustacean product s in retail packaging  
(1) The product is in retail packaging (see definition in Schedule 2 ). 
(2) Each retail package has a net content of not more than 1 kg or 1 litre . 
(3) The pa ckaging is labelled with the words “ For human consumption only. Not to be used as bait or 
feed for aquatic animals ”. 
 
Guidance  for clause 2. 3.2.3 
• The Guidance Document  has a model health certificate that can be used by the Competent 
Authority of the export ing country for exporting crustacean products in retail packaging to New 
Zealand. Exporting countries can use the model health certificate for importing these 
commodit ies into New Zealand without negotiation or pre -approval by MPI.  
• Crustacean products list ed in clause 2. 3.2.3 may also meet the requirements under clause 
2.3.2.1 or 2.3.2.2.  
• Clause 2. 3.2.3 includes , but is not limited to, products such as butterflied prawn s, dried 
shrimps, peeled prawn, prawn cakes, prawn chips, prawn chowders, prawn crackers,  prawn 
cutlets, prawn sauces, prawn soups, ready -to-eat crustacean meals, shrimp balls, shrimp roe, 
tempura prawns, and whole prawns.  
• Retorted crustacean products for human consumption may be imported either under clause 
2.3.2.3 of this IHS or the relevant  clause under the Import Health Standard: Specified Animal 
Products , SPECPROD.ALL . 
2.4 Mollusc products  
2.4.1 Haliotis  spp. (abalone) products  
(1) Haliotis  spp. (abalone) products may be imported from any country provided they are  accompanied by 
a health certificate attesting all of the following:  
a) The product is derived from Haliotis  spp. (abalone).  
b) The product  does not contain any shell.  
c) The meat of the Haliotis (abalone) has been heated to a minimum core temperature of 55°C for a 
period of no t less than 10 minutes.  
2.4.2 Mollusc products other than Haliotis  spp. (abalone)  
(1) Mollusc products  other than Haliotis  spp. (abalone) may be imported from any country provided  they 
are accompanied by : 
a) A health certificate attesting all of the following : 
i) The product is derived from a mollusc species other than Haliotis  spp. (abalone).  
ii) The product  does not contain any shell.  
iii) The meat of the mollusc is cooked or dried or frozen.  
b) An impo rt permit (copy acceptable) for products where the meat of the mollusc ha s been put on 
to a cleaned shell . 
 
Guidance  for clause 2.4.2  
• An import permit for mollusc meat  put on to a cleaned shell will only be issued if the 
manufacturing process can demonstra te that the shell is cleaned to free it of adherent fat, 
muscle, sinew, b lood, extraneous organic material, pest infestation, and evidence of decay.  Import Health Standard : Aquatic Animal Products   
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• The Guidance Document  has a model health certificate that can be used by the Competent 
Authority of the exp orting country for the purpose of exporting mollusc products to 
New Zeala nd. Exporting countries can use the model health certificate for importing these 
commodities into New Zealand without negotiation or pre -approval by MPI.  
2.5 Echinoderm products  
(1) Echinode rm products (sea urchins, sea cucumber, etc.) may be imported from any country  provided 
they are commercially prepared and packaged . 
2.6 Tunicate products  
(1) Tunicate products (sea squirt, sea tulips, sea peaches , sea pineapple/ shoya s, Pyura spp., 
Microcosmus  spp.) may be im ported from any country  provided they are commercially prepared and 
packaged . 
2.7 Cnidarian (jellyfish) products  
(1) Cnidarian (jellyfish) products may be imported from any country  provided they are commercially 
prepared and packaged . 
 
Guidance  for cla uses 2.5, 2. 6, and 2.7  
• For the products described in clauses 2.5., 2.6, and 2.7, biosecurity clearance at the border will 
be facilitated if  the exporter includes a document identifying the product as echinoderm, or 
tunicate or cnidaria (jellyfish) and that  it has been commercially prepared and packaged . 
2.8 Aquatic animal meal and aquatic animal oil  
(1) Aquatic animal meal and aquatic animal oil may be imported from any country  for all uses other than 
as bait or feed for aquatic animals , provided it is accompanied  by a he alth certificate attesting that a 
minimum core temperature of 80°C for a period of no less than 20 minutes was used for manufacturing 
the product.  
 
Guidance for clause 2.8  
• Meal and oil derived from fish belonging to the family Salmonidae may be imported under 
clause 2.8.  
• Meal and oil derived from any crustacean species may be imported either under clause 2.3.2.1, 
or 2.3.2.3, or 2.8 of this IHS.  Import Health Standard : Aquatic Animal Products   
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Schedule  1 – Document history  
Date First Issued  Title Shortcode  
2 August 2021  
(Internal Consultation)  Import Health Standard: Aquatic Animal 
Products  IHS AQUAPROD.GEN  
11 October 2021  
(External Consultation)  Import Health Standard: Aquatic Animal 
Products  IHS AQUAPROD.GEN  
Date of Issued Amendments  Title Shortcode  
   
 Import Health Standard : Aquatic Animal Products   
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Schedule 2 – Definitions  
Aqua tic animal  
An animal belonging to : 
a) Superclass Osteichthyes , including , but not limited to, bony fish like salmon, perches, cods, 
herrings, and eels . 
b) Class Chondrichthyes , including, but not limited to,  cartilaginous fish like sharks and stingrays . 
c) Phylum  Mollusca , including, but not limited to,  clams, mussels, oysters, scallops, octopus, 
squids, and aquatic snails . Excludes terrestrial crustacean species . 
d) Subphylum  Crustacea , including, but not limited t o, crabs, lobsters, shrimp, prawns , and 
crawfish . Excludes terrestrial crustacean species.  
e) Phylum  Echinodermata , including, but not limited to,  sea cucumbers , sea  stars,  and sea urchins . 
f) Phylum  Cnidaria , such as  jellyfish . 
g) Subphylum  Tunicata , including, but not limited to, sea squirt s, sea tulips, sea peach es 
(Halocynthia aurantium ) sea pineapple s/hoya s (Halocynthia roretzi ), Pyura spp., and 
Microcosmus  spp. 
Aquatic animal product  
A non -viable  (non-living) commodity derived from an aquatic animal. For the purpose s of this IHS, roe (fish 
eggs) and milt (fish se minal fluid) are aquatic animal products.  
 
Bait 
Any substance used to attract  and catch aquatic animals. For the purposes of this IHS, bait will be lim ited to 
substances derived from aquatic animals  (as defined in this IHS) . 
Certifying Official  
The person authorised by the Competent Authority of the exporting country to sign health certificates for 
aquatic animal  product s. 
Competent Authorit y 
The Governmental Authority of an OIE Member that has the responsibility and competence for ensuring or 
supervising t he implementation of aquatic animal health and welfare measures, international health  
certification and other standards and recommendations in the Aquatic C ode in the whole territory.  
Crustacean product  
An aquatic animal product derived from subphylum Crus tacea. Includes animals  such as, but not limited to, 
crabs, lobsters, shrimp, prawns, and crawfish. Excludes terrestrial crustacean species.  
Echinoderm  
A member of the phylum Echinodermata. Examples include sea cucumbers , sea stars,  and sea urchins . 
Exclus ive Economic Zone  
The area of the sea stretching from a country’s baseline out to 200 nautical miles offshore.  
 
For New Zealand , the Exclusive Economic Zone is as described in Section 9 of the Territorial Sea, 
Contiguous Zone, and Exclusive Economic Zone Act 1977 . 
Fish 
A member of  the superclass Osteichthyes (bony fish , including, but not limited to,  salmon , perches, cods, 
herrings, and eels ) and class Chon drichthyes  (cartilaginous fish like sharks and stingrays).  Import Health Standard : Aquatic Animal Products   
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Fillet  
A slice of fish flesh that is removed by a cut made parallel to the backbone.  
Food service sector  
Businesses that prepare and serve food that is ready to eat on site  or to be taken away to b e eaten in the 
vicinity without necessarily requiring any further preparation by consumers.  
 
Food service sector has t he same meaning as given in Schedule 1, Part 3 of the Food Act 2014 . 
 
Fry 
Immature fish of any species at the stage where scales have not yet developed. They are usually  between 25 
and 50 millimetres in length.  
Good Manufacturing Practice  (GMP)  
A Competent Authority approved food control operati on aimed at ensuring that products are consistently 
manufactured to a specified quality appropriate to their intended use. It thus has two complementary and 
interacting components; the manufacturing operation itself and the control system and procedures.  
Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point  (HAACP)  
A system that identifies, evaluates and controls hazards that are s ignificant for biosecurity and food safety.  
Headed, gilled, and gutted  fish 
A fish that has its head, gills, and gut removed.  
Mechanically  dried  
Removing moisture from the aquatic animal by blowing heated air through it. The following processes do not 
meet the definition for mechanical drying:  
a) Drying under the sun  
b) Freeze -drying  
c) Drying by infrared radiation  
d) Salting  
e) Smoking  
Marine fish 
A fish species that spends all of its lifecycle in saltwater . An example of a marine fish species is Thunnus 
thynnus  (the Atlantic bluefin tuna ). A fish (such as the s almon ) that spends part of its lifecycle in freshwater 
environment is not a marine fish species  even if harvested from saltwater.  
 
MPI uses Fish Base ( www.fishbase.org ), the global biodiversity information system on fish,  for determin ing the 
marine status of fish species. If any one of the terms ; freshwater , ana dromous, catadro mous, amphidromous, 
diadromous, or pota modromous  is mentioned in FishBase’s Environment  section  for the species then it does 
not qualify as a marine fish species . 
Mollusc  
An animal belonging to the p hylum Mollusca. Examples include clams, c uttlefish, mussels, octopus, oysters, 
snail, and squids . For the purpose s of this IHS, terrestrial mollusc s, such as land snails (escargots), are 
excluded from the definition of mollusc.  
OIE 
The World Organisation f or Animal Health  (www.oie.int ). Import Health Standard : Aquatic Animal Products   
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Retail packaging  
The o riginal imported packaging for direct sale  of the aquatic animal product  to household s and businesses in 
the food service sector in New Zealand . The content within the  packaging cannot be subjected to any act ion 
that may lead to exposure to the environment  until opened at the households and businesses in the food 
service sector . Retail packaged goods must be appropriately labelled to include product information such as 
name or description of the product , name and address of the manufacturer , date marking, batch number, 
ingredients list, percentage labelling, quantity information, and use and storage di rections.  
Salmon id 
Fish belonging to the family Salmonidae . 
Shelf -stable  
A product is shelf -stable if the produ ct: 
a) Is able to be stored in the package at room or ambient temperature; and  
b) Does not require refrigeration or freezing before the package is open ed. 
Steak  
A cross -section cut of a fish that may include a piece of the backbone.  
Territorial sea 
Means New Zea land’s area of sea as described in Section 3 of the Territorial Sea, Contiguous Zone, and 
Exclusive Economic Zone Act 1977 . In simple terms, New Zealand’s  Territorial Sea is the area of water not 
exceeding 12  nautical miles measured  from the shores . 
Tunicate  
A member  of the subphylum Tunicata . Sea squirt s and sea pineapple s are members of this subphylum.  
 
  Import Health Standard : Aquatic Animal Products   
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Schedule 3 – Fish families  and their disease susce ptibilit ies 
See clause s 2.2.2  and 2.2.5.1  for information relevant to this s chedule . 
 
RISK ORGANISM KEY  
Key Risk organisms of concern to New Zealand  
1 Aeromonas hydrophila  (exotic strains)  
2 Aeromonas salmonicida  var. salmonicida  (atypical strains)  
3 Aeromonas salmonicida  var. salmonicida  (typical strains)  
4 Anguillicola crassus  
5 Aphanomyces invadans  
6 Cestode larvae  
7 Digenean larvae  
8 Edwardsiella  spp. 
9 Epizootic haematopoietic necrosis virus (EHNV)  / European catfish virus (ECV)  / European 
sheatfish virus (ESV)  
10 European eel herpesvirus (EEHV)  
11 European eel virus (EVE)  
12 Flavobacterium columnare  (exotic strains)  
13 Francisella  spp. 
14 Grass carp haemorrhagic virus (GCHV)  
15 Grouper iridovirus (GIV)  
16 Hirame rhabdovirus (HIRRV)  
17 Ichthyophonus hoferi  
18 Infectious haematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV)  
19 Infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) /  Halibut birnavirus  / Viral deformity of yellowtail 
virus  
20 Infectious salmon anaemia virus (ISAV)  
21 Koi herpesvirus (KHV)  
22 Microsporidian pathogens  
23 Monogenean parasites, including Gyrodactylus salaris  
24 Moritella viscosa  
25 Myxozoa (including Enteromyxum , Henneguya , Kudoa , Myxobolus , Sphaerospora , and 
Unicapsula ) 
26 New Japan virus (NJV)  
27 Nodaviruses, including nervous  necrosis virus (NNV)  
28 Oncorhynchus  masou  virus (OMV)  
29 Piscine aquareovirus (PRV)/ salmon aquareovirus/Tasmanian salmon reovirus  / grass carp 
reovirus  / Turbout reovirus (TRV)  / Heart and skeletal muscle inflammation syndrome virus  
30 Piscirickettsia  salmonis  and related rickettsia -like organisms  
31 Pseudomonas anguilliseptica  
32 Red sea bream iridovirus (RSIV)  / Infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus (ISKNV)  / 
Gourami iridovirus  
33 Renibacterium salmoninarum  
34 Salmon alphavirus (SAV)  / Salm on pancreatic disease virus  
35 Salmon gill poxvirus (SGPV)  / Carp oedema virus  / koi sleepy disease virus  
36 Sphaerothecum destruens  
37 Spring viraemia of carp virus (SVCV)  / Pike fry rhabdovirus  
38 Streptococcus agalactiae  (serotype III: 283); Strepto coccus  iniae  
39 Viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV)  
40 Yersinia ruckeri  (Hagerman and other exotic strains)  
 
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SCHEDULE 3: FISH FAMILIES AND THEIR DISEASE SUSCEPTIBILITIES  
Fish Family  Risk Organisms  
(For risk organism names see the Risk Organi sm Key table at the beginning of Schedule 3)  
Acanthuridae  23; 27  
Achiridae  5 
Acipenseridae   1; 18; 19; 21; 27; 35; 40  
Acropomatidae  27 
Alestidae  5 
Ambassidae  5 
Amiidae  19 
Ammodytidae  2; 19; 39  
Anabantidae  5; 8 
Anarhichadidae  2; 19; 27; 35  
Anguil lidae  2; 4; 5; 6; 8; 10; 11; 18; 19; 22; 23; 25; 27; 31; 35; 38; 39; 40  
Anoplopomatidae  2; 5; 33; 39  
Argentinidae  29; 35; 39  
Ariidae  5; 35; 38  
Atherinidae  19; 35  
Aulorhynchidae  19; 39  
Bagridae  5 
Batrachoididae  8; 27  
Belonidae  5; 39  
Berycidae  25 
Bothidae  19; 27; 35  
Carangidae  5; 8; 17; 19; 22; 23; 25; 27; 29; 31; 32; 35; 38; 39  
Carcharhinidae  25 
Catostomidae  2; 19; 23; 35; 39  
Centrarchidae  2; 4; 5; 8; 12; 19; 27; 29; 31; 32; 35; 37; 39  
Chaetodontidae  23 
Chanidae  27 
Channidae  5; 7; 8; 19; 23; 29; 38  
Chirocentridae  25 
Cichlidae  2; 4; 5; 7; 8; 11; 12; 13; 19; 23; 25; 27; 30; 31; 37; 38; 40  
Clariidae  5; 8; 12; 25  
Clupeidae  2; 5; 6; 7; 16; 17; 18; 19; 20; 25; 27; 29; 31; 33; 38; 39  
Cobitidae  31 
Congridae  23 
Coryphaenidae  25 
Cyclopterid ae 2; 24  
Cynoglossidae  27 
Cyprinidae  1; 2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7; 8; 12; 14; 17; 19; 21; 23; 25; 27; 29; 31; 32; 33; 35; 36; 37; 38; 
39; 40  
Cyprinodontidae  19 
Dasyatidae  8; 25; 38  
Distichodontidae  25 Import Health Standard : Aquatic Animal Products   
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SCHEDULE 3: FISH FAMILIES AND THEIR DISEASE SUSCEPTIBILITIES  
Fish Family  Risk Organisms  
(For risk organism names see the Risk Organi sm Key table at the beginning of Schedule 3)  
Eleotridae  5; 7; 8; 27  
Embiot ocidae  18; 19; 23; 33; 39  
Engraulidae  25; 39  
Esocidae  2; 3; 4; 7; 9; 18; 19; 25; 37; 39  
Exocoetidae  5 
Fundulidae  39 
Gadidae  2; 3; 13; 17; 18; 19; 20; 24; 25; 27; 31; 34; 39; 40  
Galaxiidae  9 
Gempylidae  25 
Gerreidae  2 
Glaucostegidae  25 
Gobiidae  4; 5; 8; 27; 39  
Haemulidae  8; 27; 32; 38  
Hapalogenyidae  27 
Hexagrammidae  2; 23; 33  
Ictaluridae  1; 5; 7; 8; 9; 12; 19; 23; 25; 29; 38; 39; 40  
Kurtidae  5 
Kyphosidae  23; 32  
Labridae  2; 3; 19; 23; 34  
Lateolabracidae  7; 16; 23; 27; 32  
Latidae  5; 8; 12; 23; 25; 27; 31; 32; 35; 38  
Latridae  2; 27  
Leiognathidae  27 
Lepisosteidae  19 
Lethrinidae  27; 32  
Lopiidae  27 
Lotidae  1; 2; 39; 40  
Lutjanidae  5; 17; 25; 27; 38  
Macrouridae  19; 25; 27  
Malacanthidae  27 
Mastacembelidae  5 
Merluccidae  19; 25; 33; 39  
Monacanthidae  27 
Moronidae  2; 3; 5; 8; 13; 17; 18; 19; 27; 30; 31; 32; 38; 39  
Mugilidae  5; 7; 8; 17; 24; 27; 32; 38; 39  
Mullidae  19; 25; 27; 39  
Muraenesocidae  27 
Nemipteridae  25 
Notoptoridae  5 
Ophidiidae  39 
Oplegnathidae  27; 32  
Orectolobidae  25 
Osmeridae  4; 17; 29; 39  Import Health Standard : Aquatic Animal Products   
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SCHEDULE 3: FISH FAMILIES AND THEIR DISEASE SUSCEPTIBILITIES  
Fish Family  Risk Organisms  
(For risk organism names see the Risk Organi sm Key table at the beginning of Schedule 3)  
Osphron emidae  5; 8 
Pangasiidae  12; 23  
Paralichthyidae  8; 16; 17; 19; 25; 27; 32; 38; 39  
Percicithyidae  5; 9; 12; 15; 19; 27; 32  
Percidae  2; 4; 6; 7; 9; 12; 19; 21; 25; 27; 37; 39; 40  
Percithyidae  19 
Percopsidae  39 
Pimelodidae  25 
Platycephalidae  5; 27; 33  
Plecoglossidae  5; 16; 19; 22; 26; 31; 33; 35  
Pleuronectidae  2; 3; 8; 13; 16; 17; 19; 22; 24; 25; 27; 32; 34; 39  
Plotosidae  9; 27; 31  
Polynemidae  25; 29  
Polyodontidae  19 
Polyprionidae  23 
Pomatomidae  5 
Priacanthidae  27 
Psettodidae  5 
Rachycentrida e 27; 32  
Rhinobatidae  25 
Scaridae  23; 38  
Scatopagidae  5 
Schilbeidae  5 
Scianidae  5; 13; 19; 25; 27; 30; 32; 38; 39  
Scombridae  13; 17; 25; 32; 39  
Scophthalmidae  2; 3; 8; 13; 18; 19; 24; 25; 27; 29; 31; 34; 39; 40  
Scorpaenidae  39 
Sebastidae  16; 17; 2 3; 27; 32; 39  
Serranidae  7; 8; 15; 23; 25; 27; 30; 31; 32; 38; 39  
Serrasalmidae  7; 12  
Siganidae  27; 38  
Sillaginidae  5; 25; 27; 39  
Siluridae  4; 5; 7; 8; 9; 21; 25; 27; 37  
Soleidae  5; 7; 19; 22; 27; 39; 40  
Sparidae  2; 3; 5; 6; 7; 8; 16; 17; 18; 19; 23; 25; 27; 31; 32; 38; 39  
Sphyraenidae  19; 25  
Sphyrnidae  25 
Stichaeidae  16 
Stromateidae  39 
Synbranchidae  5 
Synotidae  38 
Terapontidae  2; 5; 9; 27  Import Health Standard : Aquatic Animal Products   
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SCHEDULE 3: FISH FAMILIES AND THEIR DISEASE SUSCEPTIBILITIES  
Fish Family  Risk Organisms  
(For risk organism names see the Risk Organi sm Key table at the beginning of Schedule 3)  
Tetraodontidae  25; 27; 30; 32  
Trichiuridae  17; 39  
Triglidae  19; 27  
Uranoscopidae  39 
Zeidae  27 
Zoarcidae  2; 27  
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Schedule 4 – Fish families relevant to clause 2. 2.3(1)(a)  
Fish belonging to the families listed in this schedule can be imported in whole form, provided they meet the 
requirements in clause 2.2.3(1)(a)  of this IHS . 
Fish Famil ies 
a) Apogonidae  
b) Centropomidae  
c) Characidae  
d) Cottidae  
e) Gasterosteidae  
f) Helostomatidae  
g) Liparidae  
h) Poeciliidae  
i) Umbridae  
 
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Schedule 5 – Fish species relevant to clause 2. 2.3(1)(b)  
Fish species listed in this schedule can be imported in whole form , provided they m eet the requiremen ts in 
clause 2. 2.3(1)(b)  of this IHS . This clause  requires t he fish to be frozen to a minimum core temperature of  
- 18°C for a period of no t less than 168 hours . 
Fish species  
a) Cololabias saira  
b) Engraulis ringens  
c) Hemiramphus balao  
d) Hemiramphus brasiliensis  
e) Hem iramphus dussumieri  
f) Hemiramphus lutkei  
 
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Schedule 6 – Fish species relevant to clause 2. 2.3(1)(c)  
Fish species listed in this schedule can be imported in whole form , provided they meet requirements in clause 
2.2.3(1)(c) of this IHS.  This clause requires t he fish to be frozen to a minimum core temperature of -18°C for a 
period of no t less than four months . 
Fish specie s 
a) Auxis rochei  
b) Auxis thazard  
c) Euthynnus alletteratus  
d) Katsuwonas pelamis  
e) Sarda chilensis  
f) Sarda lineolata  
g) Sarda sarda  
h) Thunnus obesus  
 
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Schedule 7  – Fish families relevant to clause 2. 2.5.1(1)(b)  
Skin-off fillets derived from fish belonging to the families listed in this schedule can be imported as per clause 
2.2.5.1(1)(b) of this IHS.  
 
Fish families  
1. Acanthuridae  45. Fundulidae  89. Percopsidae  
2. Achiridae  46. Gadidae  90. Pimelodidae  
3. Acipenseridae  47. Galaxiidae  91. Platycephalidae  
4. Acropomatidae  48. Gasterosteidae  92. Plecoglossidae  
5. Alestidae  49. Gempylidae  93. Pleuronectidae  
6. Ambassidae  50. Gerreidae  94. Plotosidae  
7. Amiidae  51. Glaucostegidae  95. Poeciliidae  
8. Ammodytidae  52. Haemulidae  96. Polynemidae  
9. Anaba ntidae  53. Hapalogenyidae  97. Polyodontidae  
10. Anarhichadidae  54. Helostomatidae  98. Polyprionidae  
11. Anoplopomatidae  55. Hexagrammidae  99. Pomatomidae  
12. Apogonidae  56. Ictaluridae  100. Priacanthidae  
13. Argentinidae  57. Kurtidae  101. Psettodidae  
14. Ariidae  58. Kyphosidae  102. Rachycentridae  
15. Atherinidae  59. Labridae  103. Rhinobatidae  
16. Aulorhynchidae  60. Lateolabracidae  104. Scaridae  
17. Bagridae  61. Latidae  105. Scatopagidae  
18. Batrachoididae  62. Latridae  106. Schilbeidae  
19. Belonidae  63. Leiognathidae  107. Scianidae  
20. Berycidae  64. Lepisosteidae  108. Scombridae  
21. Bothidae  65. Lethrinidae  109. Scophthalmidae  
22. Carangidae  66. Liparidae  110. Scorpaenidae  
23. Carcharhinidae  67. Lopiidae  111. Sebastidae  
24. Catostomidae  68. Lotidae  112. Serranidae  
25. Centropomidae  69. Lutjanidae  113. Serrasalmidae  
26. Chaetodontidae  70. Macrouridae  114. Siganidae  
27. Chanidae  71. Malacanthidae  115. Sillaginidae  
28. Channidae  72. Mastacembelidae  116. Soleidae  
29. Characidae  73. Merluccidae  117. Sphyraenidae  
30. Chirocentridae  74. Monacanthidae  118. Sphyrnidae  
31. Clariidae  75. Moronidae  119. Stichaeidae  
32. Cobitidae  76. Mugilidae  120. Stromateidae  
33. Congridae  77. Mullidae  121. Synbranchidae  
34. Coryphaenidae  78. Muraenesocidae  122. Synotidae  
35. Cottidae  79. Nemipteridae  123. Terapontidae  
36. Cyclopteridae  80. Notoptor idae 124. Tetraodontidae  
37. Cynoglossidae  81. Ophidiidae  125. Trichiuridae  
38. Cyprinodontidae  82. Oplegnathidae  126. Triglidae  
39. Dasyatidae  83. Orectolobidae  127. Umbridae  
40. Distichodontidae  84. Osphronemidae  128. Uranoscopidae  
41. Eleotridae  85. Pangasiidae  129. Zeidae  
42. Embiotocidae  86. Paralichthyidae  130. Zoarcidae  
43. Engraulidae  87. Percicithyidae   
44. Exocoetidae  88. Percithyidae   
 
 
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Schedule 8 – Crustacean  species  relevant to clauses 
2.3.1(1)(b)(i) and 2.3.2.1(1)  
Crustaceans listed in this schedule are susceptible to the risk organism Aphanomyces astaci . Products 
derived from t hese crustaceans can be imported provided they meet the requirements in either clause 
2.3.1(1)(b)(i) or clause 2.3.2.1(1) of this IHS.  
Under  clause 2.3.1(1)(b)(i), products derived from crustacean  species  listed in this schedule may be imported 
from countr ies recognised by MPI as being free from A. astaci . The exporting country must be recognised 
under clause 1.5 of this IHS. Each consignment must be accompanied by the negotiated health certificate.  
Under clause 2.3.2.1(1), products derived from crustacean species listed in this schedule may be imported 
from any country , provided each consignment is accompanied by a health certificate attesting  the product has 
been heat  treated to one of the following temperature/time parameters:  
a) Heat  treated to a minimum co re temperature of 100°C for a period of not less than one minute;  or 
b) Heat  treated to a minimum core temperature of 90°C for a period of not less than 10 minutes.  
Crayfish families (all species from within these families)  
a) Astacidae  
b) Cambaridae  
c) Parastacidae  
Other crustacean species  
a) Eriocheir  sinensis  (Chinese mitten crab)  
b) Macrobrachium  dayanum  
c) Potamon  potamios  
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Schedule 9 – Processing requirements at the transitional 
facility  
(1) This schedule applies to consignments of aquatic animal products imported to New Zea land that have 
been authorised to be moved  for further processing at the transitional facility listed on the import 
permit.  
a) Headed, gilled, and gutted salmonid fish imported under clause 2.1 (1)(c) of this IHS.  
b) Non-salmonid fish imported under clause  2.2.4 of this IHS.  
(2) Following biosecurity authori sation being given under section 25 of the Act, the  above  aquatic animal 
products  will proceed from the border directly to the transitional facility named on the import permit. 
The transitional facility must have  approval under  one of the following facility standards . 
a) For holding and processing : Facility Standard: Transitional Facilities f or Animal Products , MPI-
STD-ANIPRODS  
b) For holding only: Facility Standard: Standard for Transitional Fac ilities for General Uncleared 
Risk Goods , TFGEN  
(3) While at the transitional facility, and prior to processing, imported aquatic animal products must be 
clearly marked, stored, and handled in accordance with the MPI Facility Standard: Transitional 
Facilities for Animal Products  (MPI -STD-ANIPRODS) . 
(4) While at the transitional facility  approved to MPI Facility Standard: Transitional Facilities for Animal 
Products  (MPI -STD-ANIPRODS) , the facility operator must ensure that the aqua tic animal products are 
processed  as below  to be eligible for clearance . 
a) Headed, gilled, and gutted salmonid fish  imported under clause 2.1 (1)(c) must be processed to 
the level described in clause 2.1(1)(b)( ii) of this IHS, which is fillets or steaks or an y product 
derived  from further pro cessing of fillets and steaks  (clause 2.1(1)(b)(iii)) . 
b) Non-salmon id fish imported under clause 2. 2.4 must be processed to one of the categories listed 
under clause 2. 2.5 (Specified non -salmonid fish products from any country) of this IHS . 
(5) The facility oper ator must ensure that all trimmings and solid waste associated with aquatic animal 
products are treated, destroyed or disposed of by one of the following methods at a transitional facilit y. 
a) Heat  treating at a minimum  core temperature of 100°C for a period of not less than 30 minutes ; 
or 
b) Rendering; or  
c) Incineration ; or  
d) Deep burial; or  
e) Any other method approved by a CTO . 
(6) The facility operator must ensure that all packaging t hat has been in contact with the aquatic animal 
products is destroyed or disposed of a t a transitional facility.  
(7) The facility operator must ensure that all effluent generated during processing is:  
a) Discharged into a municipal sewage system; or  
b) Discharged into a securely fenced and isolated soak -pit.