(1) The Aquaculture Seed Analyst at Aquaculture Seed Laboratory, after the receipt of the sample, analyse it and deliver the report of analysis, in duplicate, to the Aquaculture Seed Inspector within seven (7) days from the date of receipt of sample.
1. Section 17 along with marginal heading substituted by the Act No.36 of 2020, s.18
(2) Aquaculture Seed Inspector shall serve a copy of the report to the person from whom the sample has been taken under proper acknowledgement.
(3) In case if it is established that the seed /brooder does not comply with the quality standards which can be analyzed only in live condition, the results of the Regional Aquaculture Seed Laboratory shall be final and hence the prescribed penal action shall be initiated against the defaulted licensee.
(4) However, in case if it is possible to analyse the preserved sample for the non-complied quality standards, licensee shall have an option to avail to get the preserved sample in Referral Aquaculture Seed Laboratory by duly following prescribed procedure.
(5) The Analyst at Referral Aquaculture Seed Analysis Laboratory shall analyse such preserved sample and send the analysis report to the Licensee under copy to Licensing Authority and Aquaculture Seed Inspector in the prescribed form within seven (7) days from the date of receipt of the request.
(6) The report sent by the Referral Aquaculture Seed Analysis Laboratory shall be final and supersede the report given by the Regional Aquaculture Seed Laboratory.
(7) Where the report sent by the Referral Aquaculture Seed Analysis Laboratory is produced in any Court proceedings, it shall not be necessary in such proceedings to produce any sample or part thereof taken for analysis.
(8) Online procedure by which the laboratory reporting is handled shall be as may be prescribed.
(9) The results of empanelled laboratory shall match with the results of Regional Laboratory with minor variations (<5%), but gross variation (>5%) shall not be there. If gross variations are observed in the results of any empanelled laboratory in comparison with regional laboratory for more than once in 10 samples, calibration of instruments shall be carried out by the owner of such laboratory. If gross variations are continued to be observed even after calibration, it shall be considered as violation. Penalty shall be imposed on such empanelled laboratory for first two violations after calibration and its empanelment shall be suspended in case of third violation and as prescribed under rules.]
1[17 A. Additional mechanism for quality assurance - Apart from the regular sample collection and analysis by the Department of Fisheries /APSADA, an additional option of quality assurance shall be available to the Aquaculture Farmers at the time of actual seed packing in the Hatchery / Larval Rearing Center, in which-
(1) the Licensee shall allow the Aquaculture Farmer / buyer to pickup one sample Aquaculture Seed being packed for him/her in the hatchery / Larval Rearing Center.
(2) The picked up seed sample shall be preserved in ethanol in front of the Aquaculture Farmer / buyer and shall be divided into three portions and shall be packed, sealed and marked with code number and seal of the licensee as may be prescribed.
(3) Out of these three portions, one portion is to be retained by the licensee and two portions shall be handed over to the Aquaculture Farmer / buyer.
1. New section 17A inserted by the Act No.36 of 2020, s.19.
(4) If the Aquaculture Farmer / buyer wishes to get the preserved sample analysed for the presence of certain pathogens like WSSV, EHP, MBV, IHHNV, HPV etc., he/she may get one of the sample analysed at Regional Aquaculture Seed Laboratory by submitting the sample, invoice and by paying prescribed fees.
(5) In case of which, the analyst at Regional Aquaculture Seed Laboratory shall follow the prescribed procedure for handling and analysis of such preserved sample submitted by Aquaculture Farmer / Buyer.
(6) Upon analysis, if the seed sample is found to be negative for the presence of certain pathogens, Aquaculture Farmer/ Buyer will be informed through SMS and no further action shall be there in this regard.
(7) In case if the sample is found to be positive for the presence of any of the tested pathogen, both the Licensee and the Aquaculture Farmer/Buyer shall be informed through SMS. The Licensee needs to refund the entire amount paid by the Aquaculture Farmer/Buyer for the seed and shall also bear the cost of analysis. This shall be considered as an offense under this Act and penalty for this violation shall be as may be prescribed.]