Harvest gently, then ice without delay

Sale value is decided before the truck leaves. Rough handling, sun, and a wait without ice undo months of growth. Temperature after harvest is the main control you still have.

Before you start

Confirm the batch, order size, recent mortality, and water. Confirm any withdrawal is finished — earliest harvest date is a harvest control, not a suggestion. Lay out clean nets, boxes, potable or otherwise suitable water, enough ice, and labels. If ice, a clean vehicle, or a batch identity is missing, hold the harvest.

During harvest

Move small, manageable lots. Do not throw, stand on, or crush fish. Keep them out of sun and dry wind. Wash mud and weed with clean water. Go straight to ice, chilled water, processing, or live transport.

Ice

Surround fish with fine melting ice, below and above, and let meltwater drain. Aim as close to 0°C as you can in practice. Ice must be made from suitable clean water — dirty ice contaminates good fish. Replenish as it melts.

This is farm-gate handling, not a processing-plant HACCP manual. Plant layout and cook-validation belong with a licensed processor, not in this story.

In this series

• Water before feed — watch the pond first
• Stock what the water can carry; buy healthy seed
• Feed for conversion, not for leftover pellets
• Prevent disease with water, space, and calm handling
• Harvest gently, then ice without delay
• A batch without records is a business risk