Guidelines on: the care and use of fish in research, teaching and testing - Canadian Council on Animal Care
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Canadian Council on Animal Care
guidelines on:
the care and use of
fish in research,
teaching and
testingThis document, the CCAC guidelines on: the care and use of fish in research, teaching and testing, has been
developed by the ad hoc subcommittee on fish of the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC)
Guidelines Committee.
Mr John Batt, Dalhousie University
Dr Kristina Bennett-Steward, Bioniche
Mr Cyr Couturier, Memorial University
Dr Larry Hammell, University of Prince Edward Island
Dr Chris Harvey-Clark, University of British Columbia (Chair)
Mr Henrik Kreiberg, Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Dr George Iwama, Acadia University
Dr Santosh Lall, National Research Council
Dr Matt Litvak, University of New Brunswick at St John
Dr Don Rainnie, University of Prince Edward Island
Dr Don Stevens, University of Guelph
Dr Jim Wright, University of Calgary
Dr Gilly Griffin, Canadian Council on Animal Care
In addition, the CCAC is grateful to former members of CCAC Council: Ms Susan Waddy, Fisheries
and Oceans Canada; Dr Jack Miller, University of Western Ontario; and Dr Choong Foong, Dalhousie
University; and to Dr David Noakes, University of Guelph who provided considerable assistance in
preliminary phases of this project. CCAC thanks the many individuals, organizations and associations
that provided comments on earlier drafts of this guidelines document. In particular, thanks are extend-
ed to representatives of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Environment Canada, the Canadian
Aquaculture Institute, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the Canadian Society of Zoologists.
© Canadian Council on Animal Care, 2005
ISBN: 0–919087–43–4
Canadian Council on Animal Care
1510–130 Albert Street
Ottawa ON CANADA
K1P 5G4
http://www.ccac.caCCAC guidelines on: the care and use of fish in research, teaching and testing, 2005
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. PREFACE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 3.5 Redundancy in aquatic life
support systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
4. Types of Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
SUMMARY OF THE GUIDELINES
4.1 Flow-through systems . . . . . . . . . . .27
LISTED IN THIS DOCUMENT . . . . . . . .3
4.2 Recirculation systems . . . . . . . . . . .27
4.3 Static systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
B. INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 4.4 Mesocosms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
1. Definition of Fish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 5. Fish Housing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
2. Rationale for Guidelines on the 5.1 Fish well-being . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Care and Use of Fish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 5.2 Tank/enclosure design . . . . . . . . . .28
3. Ethical Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
3.1 Principles of the Three Rs . . . . . . . .14 D. FACILITY MANAGEMENT,
4. Responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 OPERATION AND
4.1 Responsibilities of investigators . .15 MAINTENANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
4.2 Responsibilities of the animal
1. Security and Access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
care committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
2. General Maintenance of the Facility . . .31
4.3 Role of the veterinarian . . . . . . . . .17
3. Environmental Monitoring
5. Government Regulations and
and Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Policies on the Use of Fish . . . . . . . . . . . .17
3.1 Management of water quality . . . .33
5.1 International . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
3.2 Temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
5.2 Federal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
3.3 Oxygen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
5.3 First Nations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
3.4 Supersaturation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
5.4 Provincial/territorial . . . . . . . . . . . .20
3.5 pH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
5.5 Municipal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
3.6 Nitrogen compounds . . . . . . . . . . .35
3.7 Carbon dioxide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
C. AQUATIC FACILITIES . . . . . . . . . .21
3.8 Salinity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
1. Water Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
3.9 Toxic agents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
2. Water Quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
3. Engineering and Design . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
E. CAPTURE, ACQUISITION,
3.1 Structural materials . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
TRANSPORTATION AND
3.2 Room ventilation and airflow QUARANTINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
in aquatic areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
3.3 Mechanical and electrical 1. Capture of Wild Stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 2. Killed Specimens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
3.4 Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 3. Piscicidal Compounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .384. Acquisition of Hatchery Fish . . . . . . . . .39 3.3 Anesthesia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
5. Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 3.4 Surgical equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
6. Quarantine and Acclimation . . . . . . . . . .40 3.5 Incisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
6.1 Quarantine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 3.6 Suture materials and techniques . .54
6.2 Acclimation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 3.7 Pathophysiology of surgery
and wound healing in fishes . . . . .55
F. HUSBANDRY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42 3.8 Postoperative care . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
4. Administration of Compounds
1. Record-keeping and Documentation . . .42
and Devices by Various Routes . . . . . . .56
1.1 Standard Operating Procedures . .42
4.1 Branchial diffusion
1.2 General checklists . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42 ("inhalation") . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
1.3 Assessment of fish well-being . . . .42
4.2 Oral . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
2. Density and Carrying Capacity . . . . . . .42
4.3 Injection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
3. Food, Feeding and Nutrition . . . . . . . . .43
4.4 Implants, windows
3.1 Nutrition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43 and bioreactors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
3.2 Food and feeding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43 5. Tagging and Marking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
3.3 Feed quality and storage . . . . . . . .43 5.1 Tissue marking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
3.4 Larval weaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45 5.2 Tagging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
3.5 Use of medicated feeds . . . . . . . . . .45 6. Collection of Body Fluids . . . . . . . . . . . .58
4. Broodstock and Breeding . . . . . . . . . . . .46 7. Use of Infectious Disease Agents,
4.1 Induction of spawning . . . . . . . . . .46 Tumorigenic or Mutagenic Agents,
and Toxic and Noxious Compounds . . .59
G. HEALTH AND DISEASE 8. Endpoints and Criteria for Early
CONTROL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47 Euthanasia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
8.1 Recognition of "pain", "distress"
1. Fish Health Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
and "stress" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
1.1 Disease prevention . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
8.2 Choosing an appropriate
1.2 Disease diagnosis and endpoint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
identification of pathogens . . . . . . .47
9. Monitoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
1.3 Injuries and other disorders . . . . . .48
10. Negative Reinforcement Modalities . . .62
11. Exercise to Exhaustion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
H. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES . .50
12. Environmental Extremes . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
1. Handling and Restraint . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50 13. Genetically Modified Fish . . . . . . . . . . . .62
1.1 Restraint of dangerous species . . .51
2. Restricted Environments . . . . . . . . . . . . .51
I. EUTHANASIA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64
3. Surgery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51
3.1 Surgical preparation and
skin disinfection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52 J. DISPOSITION OF FISH
3.2 Water quality during surgery . . . .53 AFTER STUDY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65
ii1. Consumption of Fish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65 APPENDIX B
2. Release of Fish to Wild . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65 ZOONOTIC DISEASE-
3. Fish as Pets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65 TRANSMISSION OF FISH
4. Transfer of Fish Between Facilities . . . . .65 DISEASES TO MAN . . . . . . . . . . . .77
5. Disposal of Dead Fish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65
APPENDIX C
K. REFERENCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66
GUIDELINES FOR CONTAINMENT
FACILITIES (FOR PATHOGEN
L. GLOSSARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73 STUDIES) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79
M. ABBREVIATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . .75 APPENDIX D
WATER QUALITY CRITERIA FOR
APPENDIX A OPTIMUM FISH HEALTH – FOR
RELEVANT GUIDELINES COLDWATER, WARMWATER AND
AND ORGANIZATIONS . . . . . . . . .76 MARINE SPECIES OF FISH . . . . .84
iiiiv
the care and use of
fish in research,
teaching and
testing
A. PREFACE
The Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) The guidelines have been developed by the
is the national peer review agency responsible CCAC subcommittee on fish and were
for setting and maintaining standards for the reviewed by a total of 69 experts. A preliminary
care and use of animals used in research, teach- first draft was agreed on by the subcommittee
ing and testing throughout Canada. In addition and circulated to experts in June 2002 (including
to the Guide to the Care and Use of Experimental representatives of the organizations listed in
Animals, vol. 1, 2nd ed., 1993 and vol. 2, 1984, Appendix A), and a second draft was circulated
which provide the general principles for the for widespread comment in June 2003. A final
care and use of animals, the CCAC also publish- review was carried out in August 2004 involv-
es detailed guidelines on issues of current and ing all individuals who had previously provid-
emerging concerns. The CCAC guidelines on: the ed significant input to the development process.
care and use of fish in research, teaching and testing The development of these guidelines also
is the seventh of this series. This document involved consultation with the Canadian
supersedes Chapter I - Fish, Guide to the Care and Association for Laboratory Animal Science
Use of Experimental Animals, vol. 2 (CCAC, (CALAS) and the Canadian Society of
1984). Zoologists (CSZ) through workshops held at
annual meetings in Québec City (June 2003),
These guidelines aim to provide information for Acadia University (May 2004), and Hamilton
investigators, animal care committees, facility (June 2004). Consultations were also held at the
managers and animal care staff that will assist Aquaculture Association of Canada and
in improving both the care given to fishes and AquaNet annual meetings in Québec City
the manner in which experimental procedures (October 2004), and at the CCAC Workshop on
are carried out. the Fish Guidelines in Vancouver (April 2005).
The present document has drawn substantially The guidelines have been organized in a format
from the work of organizations listed in that should facilitate easy access to relevant sec-
Appendix A. Their contributions to the devel- tions. Early sections provide an ethical
opment of these guidelines are gratefully overview relevant to the use of fishes in
acknowledged. research, teaching and testing. This is followedby a brief overview of regulations and responsi- this document prior to the beginning of the
bilities relevant to the care and use of fishes in main text.
science in Canada. The remainder of the docu-
ment provides guidelines to assist in caring for The refinement of animal care and use guide-
fishes in laboratory facilities, followed by lines is a continuous process. These guidelines
are intended to provide assistance in the imple-
guidelines to help in the development and
mentation of best practices, and should not be
review of experimental protocols. An overview viewed as regulations. Where regulatory
of the CCAC guidelines on: the care and use of fish requirements are involved or where it is
ccac guidelines
in research, teaching and testing is provided absolutely imperative to adhere to a particular
through a summary of the guidelines listed in guideline, the term must has been used.
2SUMMARY OF THE
GUIDELINES LISTED IN THIS DOCUMENT
B. INTRODUCTION and comply with, relevant international, federal
3. Ethical Overview and provincial/territorial legislation and policies
governing the capture of fishes and/or their
Guideline 1: transfer from one water body or jurisdiction to
the care and use of fish in research, teaching and testing, 2005
Fishes used in research, teaching and testing another.
must be treated with the respect accorded to p. 17
other vertebrate species.
p. 14
C. AQUATIC FACILITIES
4. Responsibilities Guideline 7:
Aquatic facilities are complex systems that
Guideline 2:
must be well designed to minimize stress to the
Projects involving the use of fishes for research, fishes, promote efficient operation of the facility,
teaching or testing should be described within a and ensure a safe working environment for
protocol. Protocols should be approved by an personnel.
animal care committee prior to the commence-
ment of the work. p. 21
Section 4.1 Responsibilities of investigators, p. 15
2. Water Quality
Guideline 3:
Before working with fishes, investigators, techni- Guideline 8:
cal staff and post-graduate students must be prop- If fresh or sea water is drawn from an open body
erly trained and have their competency evaluated. of water or a municipal source, it should be test-
Section 4.1 Responsibilities of investigators, p. 16 ed for, and treated to remove, contaminants and
pathogens.
Guideline 4:
p. 21
Investigators are responsible for, and must com-
ply with, occupational health and safety regula-
tions regarding the protection of personnel from 3. Engineering and Design
known or suspected physical and biological
hazards. Guideline 9:
Section 4.1 Responsibilities of investigators, p. 16 In designing and constructing aquatic facilities,
assistance should be sought from people with
Guideline 5: experience in this field.
Investigators should be aware of the potential p. 22
risks associated with zoonotic agents present in
fishes. Guideline 10:
Section 4.1 Responsibilities of investigators, p. 16 Construction materials for facilities housing fish-
es should be selected carefully for resistance to
corrosion and water damage.
5. Government Regulations and Policies on
the Use of Fish Section 3.1 Structural materials, p. 23
Guideline 6: Guideline 11:
Anyone acquiring or transporting fishes, or con- Materials in aquatic facilities which are potential-
ducting research on fishes, must be familiar with, ly toxic to fishes should be reduced to the mini-
3mum. Any toxic material should be listed, and aerated and filtered water and assuring the con-
the list must be available to staff. tinuation of life support.
Section 3.1 Structural materials, p. 24 Section 3.5 Redundancy in aquatic life support systems, p. 26
Guideline 12: Guideline 18:
Air handling systems should be engineered to Critical systems, including pumps, should be
ensure that aquatic areas are well ventilated and duplicated to ensure that failures cause only
humidity is controlled, and to ensure that aerosol minimal interruptions in service.
transfer between tanks and through the facilitity
ccac guidelines
is minimized. Section 3.5 Redundancy in aquatic life support systems, p. 26
Section 3.2 Room ventilation and airflow in aquatic areas,
p. 24 4. Types of Systems
Guideline 13: Guideline 19:
All electrical systems must be professionally An adequate water supply of suitable quality
installed to appropriate code standards (federal, should be provided for the fish at all times.
provincial/territorial and municipal building
codes) for operation in moist environments, and p. 27
must include proper grounding and ground-
fault interrupters on all circuits. Extension cords 5. Fish Housing
should be avoided, and electrical wires should be
fixed safely, away from water and from person- Guideline 20:
nel circulation areas.
Aquatic environments should be designed to
Section 3.3 Mechanical and electrical requirements, p. 25 meet the established physical and behavioral
requirements of the fishes in terms of shelter,
Guideline 14:
social grouping, overhead cover and lighting.
Electrical components and equipment should be
located outside the splash zone, and should be Section 5.1 Fish well-being, p. 28
housed in moisture-proof enclosures. Electrical
Guideline 21:
fixtures should be secured with gaskets to pre-
vent incursion of water, and should be located The shape, colour, depth, and volume of tanks
above pipe runs. should be appropriate for the species and life
Section 3.3 Mechanical and electrical requirements, p. 25 stage being held.
Section 5.2 Tank/enclosure design, p. 28
Guideline 15:
Machinery that produces noise and vibration Guideline 22:
should be isolated from areas housing fish. Tanks should have smooth, inert, sealed interior
Section 3.3 Mechanical and electrical requirements, p. 25 surfaces.
Section 5.2 Tank/enclosure design, p. 29
Guideline 16:
Light should be phased on and off, and should Guideline 23:
incorporate wavelengths and intensities appro- Tanks should be self-cleaning, or adequate
priate for the species where this is known. Where means for the regular cleaning of tanks should be
task lighting is needed for people working in the incorporated into the design.
room, it should be restricted in its dispersion
throughout the room or be placed at a lower Section 5.2 Tank/enclosure design, p. 29
level than the tank surface.
Guideline 24:
Section 3.4 Lighting, p. 25
Tanks should be equipped with a covering that
Guideline 17: prevents fishes from jumping from the tank, e.g.,
All aquatic facilities should have an emergency tank nets or rigid coverings.
contingency capacity, capable of maintaining Section 5.2 Tank/enclosure design, p. 29
4D. FACILITY MANAGEMENT, OPERATION 3. Environmental Monitoring and Control
AND MAINTENANCE Guideline 31:
1. Security and Access An environmental monitoring system is essential
for aquatic facilities and should be designed to
Guideline 25: suit the water management system.
Access to fish facilities should be designed to p. 32
minimize traffic through the area. Access should
be restricted to those personnel required for Guideline 32:
maintenance of the facility and the care of the Water quality monitoring systems should be able
the care and use of fish in research, teaching and testing, 2005
fishes, and those using the facilities for experi- to detect and react to changes in water quality
ments or teaching. before they become life-threatening to animals
housed in the system.
p. 31
p. 32
2. General Maintenance of the Facility Guideline 33:
Water quality parameters should be monitored at
Guideline 26: an appropriate frequency for the facility, and
All architectural and engineering specifications should allow predictive management of water
and drawings of the facility should be available quality, rather than only reactive management of
to those in charge of running the facility, as crises in water quality.
should all operating manuals for special equip- p. 32
ment such as pumps, chillers and computer con-
trol systems. Guideline 34:
p. 31 Good water quality measuring equipment
should be available, regularly calibrated and
Guideline 27: well maintained. Records of water quality
should be maintained and should be retrievable
Aquatic facilities must have written maintenance for retrospective analysis in the event of
schedules developed specifically for the facility. problems.
p. 31 p. 33
Guideline 28: Guideline 35:
Facilities should be kept in a clean and orderly Water quality must be monitored and main-
manner. Tanks should be disinfected before and tained within acceptable parameters for the
after every experiment. species being held.
p. 31 Section 3.1 Management of water quality, p. 33
Guideline 29: Guideline 36:
The staff responsible for operating an aquatic Fishes should not be subjected to rapid changes
in temperature, particularly to rapid increases in
facilitiy should have the specialized knowledge,
temperature.
experience and training for proper function,
operation and maintenance of the water system. Section 3.2 Temperature, p. 33
p. 31 Guideline 37:
Guideline 30: Fishes should be kept in water with an adequate
concentration of oxygen.
Sufficient numbers of staff must be available for
Section 3.3 Oxygen, p. 34
animal care and facility management and main-
tenance 365 days a year for both routine and Guideline 38:
emergency needs. Aquatic systems are susceptible to acute or
p. 31 chronic supersaturation. Individuals responsible
5for operating aquatic systems should understand dental introduction, exotic diseases and other
the causes of gas supersaturation and how to detrimental outcomes, and how to minimize
mitigate potential problems. these risks.
Section 3.4 Supersaturation, p. 34 p. 38
Guideline 39
3. Piscicidal Compounds
Water pH should be maintained at a stable and
optimal level as changes in pH may influence Guideline 46:
other water quality parameters.
Alternatives to the use of piscicidal compounds
ccac guidelines
Section 3.5 pH, p. 35 should be sought, such as anesthetic agents with
minimal environmental and non-target species
Guideline 40: impacts.
Free ammonia and nitrite are toxic to fishes and p. 38
their accumulation must be avoided.
Section 3.6 Nitrogen compounds, p. 35
4. Acquisition of Hatchery Fishes
Guideline 41:
Guideline 47:
Salinity changes are inherently stressful for fish-
Fishes should come from hatcheries with defined
es, and should be conducted slowly and with
health status and preferably known genetic his-
attention to the physical status of the fishes.
tory. Hatcheries should be encouraged to devel-
Section 3.8 Salinity, p. 36 op husbandry and management practices consis-
tent with those used in the production of other
Guideline 42:
laboratory animals.
When there is reason to believe hazardous mate-
p. 39
rials or infectious agents have accidentally
entered the water system, that system should be
isolated and tested. 6. Quarantine and Acclimation
Section 3.9 Toxic agents, p. 37 Guideline 48:
Guideline 43: After transport and before use in experiments,
Chemical products should be safely stored away fishes should be acclimated to laboratory
from the aquatic housing area and the water conditions during a period of quarantine and
supply. acclimation.
Section 3.9 Toxic agents, p. 37 p. 40
Guideline 49:
E. CAPTURE, ACQUISITION, As far as possible, fish from various sources
TRANSPORTATION AND QUARANTINE should not be mixed.
p. 40
1. Capture of Wild Stock
Guideline 50:
Guideline 44:
Quarantine areas should be subject to extra vigi-
Wild fishes should be captured, transported and
lance in monitoring fish and good record keep-
handled in a manner that ensures minimal mor-
bidity and mortality. ing to detect and respond to any health problems
in quarantined fish.
p. 38
Section 6.1 Quarantine, p. 40
Guideline 45:
Guideline 51:
Where exotic fishes are obtained from aquarium
suppliers or collection sources, local, provin- The duration of quarantine should be appropri-
cial/territorial and federal authorities should be ate to assure the health of the fishes.
consulted to determine the risk of escape, acci- Section 6.1 Quarantine, p. 41
6Guideline 52: lished nutrient requirements for the species, if
Quarantine areas should be managed according available.
to rigorous infectious agent control practices. Section 3.2 Food and feeding, p. 43
Section 6.1 Quarantine, p. 41
Guideline 58:
Feed bags should be labeled with date of manu-
F. HUSBANDRY facture and guaranteed analysis information.
Small aliquots of feed should be retained for
1. Record-keeping and Documentation
independent testing when large feed lots are
received.
the care and use of fish in research, teaching and testing, 2005
Guideline 53:
Detailed Standard Operating Procedures should Section 3.2 Food and feeding, p. 43
be developed for the maintenance and care of all
fishes and for sanitation of tanks, rooms and Guideline 59:
equipment. Feed should be stored in dedicated areas that are
Section 1.1 Standard Operating Procedures, p. 42 dark, temperature and humidity controlled and
pest-free to ensure its nutritional quality. Feed for
Guideline 54: immediate use and feed in feeders should be
similarly protected. Feed used for daily feeding
Checklists should be used for each group of fish
should be kept in sealed-top containers to protect
so that records are maintained of all cleaning,
maintenance and experimental procedures. it from humidity and light, and frequently
replaced with feed from storage.
Section 1.2 General checklists, p. 42
Section 3.3 Feed quality and storage, p. 43
Guideline 55:
Guideline 60:
Basic physical and behavioral parameters indica-
tive of well-being in fishes should be monitored Fishes must be fed at appropriate intervals and
daily and written records should be maintained. with a nutritionally adequate, properly sized
Any perturbation of these parameters should feed. Optimal feeding techniques are essential
be investigated and the causes identified and for good health and well-being, and to prevent
corrected. the fouling of water with uneaten feed.
Section 1.3 Assessment of fish well-being, p. 42 Section 3.3 Feed quality and storage, p. 44
Guideline 61:
2. Density and Carrying Capacity Whether fishes are fed manually or automatical-
ly, they should be observed regularly to deter-
Guideline 56:
mine whether they are responding as expected,
Each species should be housed at a density that and whether the ration is sufficient or overfeed-
ensures the well-being of the fish while meeting ing is occurring.
experimental parameters. However, in some
Section 3.3 Feed quality and storage, p. 44
cases, the ideal environment for maintaining a
given species will have to be developed using Guideline 62:
performance-based criteria such as growth rate.
Established maximum densities should not be Medicated feeds must only be used under veteri-
exceeded. nary prescription and supervision.
p. 42 Section 3.5 Use of medicated feeds, p. 45
3. Food, Feeding and Nutrition 4. Broodstock and Breeding
Guideline 57: Guideline 63:
Fish feed should be purchased from sources that Holding systems and environmental conditions
manufacture feed according to standards for broodstock should be appropriate for the
employed in the feed industry for fish and species. Particular attention should be paid to the
other domestic animals, and according to pub- importance of environmental cues for the main-
7tenance (or manipulation) of endogenous repro- Guideline 69:
ductive rhythms. Particular attention should be paid to monitoring
p. 46 fishes following any potentially stressful event.
Guideline 64: Section 1.2 Disease diagnosis and identification of
pathogens, p. 48
Where possible, rational genetic management of
broodstock should be used. For broodstock, a Guideline 70:
strict disease and health control program should
be implemented with veterinary advice to ensure Handling procedures should be carried out only
by competent individuals using techniques that
ccac guidelines
the production of healthy progeny and preven-
tion of disease transfer through water sources, minimize the potential for injury. Efforts should
fish or eggs. be made to minimize morbidity and mortality
caused by osmoregulatory compromise, sys-
p. 46 temic acidosis, and opportunistic infections of
damaged skin that can result from handling and
G. HEALTH AND DISEASE CONTROL traumatic injuries.
1. Fish Health Program Section 1.3 Injuries and other disorders, p. 48
Guideline 65: Guideline 71:
All facilities must have a fish health monitoring Health management measures should be used to
program. ensure that behavioral interactions with negative
p. 47 consequences such as aggression are avoided.
Section 1.3 Injuries and other disorders, p. 49
Guideline 66:
Strategic measures for disease prevention should Guideline 72:
include: 1) a formal written agreement with a A Standard Operating Procedure should be
fish health professional (usually a veterinarian) established for any standard treatments, and
responsible for the management of morbidity include the definition of endpoints should fish be
and mortality problems at the facility; 2) a pro- adversely affected.
gram for the detection and management of dis-
ease conditions and water quality problems Section 1.3 Injuries and other disorders, p. 49
related to physiological stress; 3) strategic appli-
cation of disease control measures, such as quar-
H. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES
antine, immunization, and prophylactic treat-
ments; and 4) a system of regular monitoring and 1. Handling and Restraint
reporting for health assessment purposes.
Section 1.1 Disease prevention, p. 47 Guideline 73:
Fishes should be fasted prior to handling.
Guideline 67:
p. 50
A health management program should focus on
early diagnosis and identification of the causal Guideline 74:
agents, stressors and mechanisms so that correct
control measures can be initiated. Personnel involved in handling fishes should
undergo training in methods to ensure their
Section 1.2 Disease diagnosis and identification of expertise and to minimize injury and morbidity
pathogens, p. 47 to fishes in their care.
Guideline 68: p. 50
Fish health management programs should strive
to identify both clinical and subclinical/adventi- Guideline 75:
tious pathogens which may occur as a result of Fishes should be handled only when necessary,
experimental stressors. and the number of handling episodes should be
Section 1.2 Disease diagnosis and identification of minimized.
pathogens, p. 48 p. 50
8Guideline 76: Guideline 83:
Fishes should be handled in a fashion that mini- Surgical sites should be prepared in a fashion
mizes damage to their mucus-skin barrier. that minimizes tissue damage and contamina-
p. 50
tion of wound areas.
Section 3.1 Surgical preparation and skin disinfection, p. 52
Guideline 77:
Guideline 84:
Restraint and handling of fishes should be car-
ried out in a manner to minimize visual stimula- Attention should be paid to the use of asepsis,
tion. Where feasible, fishes should be protected disinfection and the use of sterile instruments to
the care and use of fish in research, teaching and testing, 2005
minimize wound contamination and maximize
from direct light and rapid changes in lighting
the healing response.
while being restrained.
Section 3.1 Surgical preparation and skin disinfection, p. 52
p. 51
Guideline 85:
Guideline 78:
During prolonged surgery, water quality should
In general, fishes should not be kept in air contin- be maintained at a high level, with minimal bac-
uously for more than 30 seconds. terial and organic burden. Water for anesthesia
p. 51 should be from the same source as the tank water
to minimize shock caused by differences in tem-
Guideline 79: perature, pH, electrolytes, etc.
Those who work with dangerous species must be Section 3.2 Water quality during surgery, p. 53
trained and competent to do so. Appropriate
Guideline 86:
emergency items (e.g., antivenom, an appropri-
ate first aid kit, etc.) must be on hand. Anesthetics should be used in experiments
where there is expected to be noxious stimuli,
Section 1.1 Restraint of dangerous species, p. 51 and in experiments entailing extensive handling
or manipulation with a reasonable expectation of
2. Restricted Environments trauma and physiological insult to the fish.
Section 3.3 Anesthesia, p. 53
Guideline 80:
Every effort should be made to provide fishes Guideline 87:
held in restricted environments with as non- Anesthetics should be chosen on the basis of
stressful an environment as possible, within the their documented ability to provide predictable
constraints of the experimental design. results, including immobilization, analgesia and
rapid induction and recovery, while allowing for
p. 51 a wide margin of safety for the animals and the
operators.
3. Surgery Section 3.3 Anesthesia, p. 53
Guideline 81: Guideline 88:
Surgery should be performed by individuals Regardless of the application, anesthetics should
with appropriate training. be tested on a small sample of fish, as the effect
of an anesthetic can vary with local water condi-
Section 3.1 Surgical preparation and skin disinfection, p. 52 tions, as well as the species, life stage, and size of
the fish.
Guideline 82:
Section 3.3 Anesthesia, p. 54
Before surgery is attempted on living animals
that are expected to recover, suture and surgical Guideline 89:
techniques should be practiced on inanimate Personnel working with anesthetic agents in fish
materials or dead specimens until competency is must be adequately trained and protected with
attained. personal protective equipment.
Section 3.1 Surgical preparation and skin disinfection, p. 52 Section 3.3 Anesthesia, p. 54
9Guideline 90: Guideline 97:
Any incisions should avoid the lateral line and Care should be taken during injection to intro-
should follow the longitudinal axis of the fish. duce the needle in spaces between the scales.
Section 3.5 Incisions, p. 54 Intramuscular injections may be made into the
large dorsal epaxial and abdominal muscles, tak-
Guideline 91: ing care to avoid the lateral line and ventral
In general, strong, inert, non-hygroscopic monofil- blood vessels. Intraperitoneal (IP) injections
ament suture material and atraumatic needles should avoid penetrating abdominal viscera as
ccac guidelines
should be used for closure of incisions in fish skin. substances that cause inflammation may lead to
adhesion formation.
Section 3.6 Suture materials and techniques, p. 54
Section 4.3 Injection, p. 57
Guideline 92:
Guideline 98:
In laboratory or applicable field situations, fish
must receive careful attention and monitoring Implanted materials should be biocompatible
following surgery. and aseptic, and should be implanted using ster-
ile techniques.
Section 3.8 Postoperative care, p. 55
Section 4.4 Implants, windows and bioreactors, p. 57
Guideline 93:
Fish should be held in a manner that reduces or 5. Tagging and Marking
eliminates intraspecific interactions in tanks, and
meets appropriate living conditions for the Guideline 99:
species. Investigators must aim to minimize any adverse
Section 3.8 Postoperative care, p. 55 effects of marking and tagging procedures on the
behaviour, physiology or survival of individual
Guideline 94: study animals. Where such effects are unknown,
The costs and benefits of the use of prophylactic a pilot study should be implemented.
antibiotics post surgery should be carefully p. 57
considered.
Section 3.8 Postoperative care, p. 56 Guideline 100:
Marking techniques which cause significant tis-
Guideline 95: sue injury, such as branding, tattooing or clip-
Social factors, such as size differences, ability to ping important fins, should only be used if evi-
feed or exclude other fish from feed, and agonis- dence is provided to an animal care committee
tic behavior, should be considered in experimen- indicating that alternative methods cannot
tal design and when maintaining social groups achieve the desired result.
of recovering fish.
Section 5.1 Tissue marking, p. 58
Section 3.8 Postoperative care, p. 56
6. Collection of Body Fluids
4. Administration of Compounds and
Guideline 101:
Devices by Various Routes
Sedation or anesthesia should be used to restrain
Guideline 96: fish for collection or cannulation purposes. It is
If a treatment compound is to be administered important to realize that both restraint and anes-
orally, the volume dose rate should not exceed thesia may alter physiological parameters such
1% body weight (1 mL/100 g). as serum glucose and various hormone levels.
Section 4.2 Oral, p. 56 p. 59
108. Endpoints and Criteria for Early obtaining a consistent response when using neg-
Euthanasia ative reinforcement modalities in fishes.
p. 62
Guideline 102:
Investigators should eliminate, mitigate or
minimize potential pain and distress whenever 11. Exercise to Exhaustion
feasible and consistent with good scientific
Guideline 108:
practice.
Studies involving the forced swimming of fishes
Section 8.1 Recognition of “pain”, “distress” and “stress”,
to the point of exhaustion, often in conjunction
the care and use of fish in research, teaching and testing, 2005
p. 59
with negative reinforcement, should be conduct-
Guideline 103: ed with strict adherence to guiding principles of
minimization of distress of animals. Fishes used
A defined endpoint should be established for in exercise to exhaustion studies should be mon-
studies which involve potential pain and/or dis- itored continuously.
tress to the animal. A pilot study should be used
to identify clinical signs to be used as the end- p. 62
point and to establish appropriate monitoring of
the animals. 12. Environmental Extremes
Section 8.2 Choosing an appropriate endpoint, p. 60
Guideline 109:
Guideline 104: Studies involving the exposure of fishes to envi-
When conducting research with defined, early ronmental extremes should select the earliest
pre-lethal endpoints, a list of parameters should endpoint possible.
be established to permit an objective assessment p. 62
of health status.
Section 8.2 Choosing an appropriate endpoint, p. 60
13. Genetically Modified Fish
Guideline 105: Guideline 110:
In any study where there is expected morbidity Genetically modified fishes may have changes
and mortality, the criteria for early euthanasia in physiology and anatomy as the result of
should be clearly defined. their genetic alteration, and should be closely
Section 8.2 Choosing an appropriate endpoint, p. 61 monitored.
p. 63
9. Monitoring
Guideline 111:
Guideline 106: Genetically modified fishes must not be permit-
Depending on the study and the time of morbid- ted to enter the food or feed chain unless they
ity, monitoring should be done at least daily. have undergone a thorough safety assessment
Frequency of monitoring should allow for the and have received authorization for sale, manu-
timely removal of fish before severe morbidity facture and/or import as a food or feed by
occurs. Frequency of monitoring should be Health Canada and the Canadian Food
increased where mortality is expected to be Inspection Agency.
high. p. 63
p. 62
I. EUTHANASIA
10. Negative Reinforcement Modalities
Guideline 112:
Guideline 107: Where feasible, the euthanasia of fishes should
Pilot studies and literature searches should be consist of a two-step process, with initial anes-
used to establish the least invasive method of thesia to the point of loss of equilibrium, fol-
11lowed by a physical or chemical method to cause 2. Release of Fish to Wild
brain death.
Guideline 115:
p. 64
In general, research fishes that have been kept in
Guideline 113: captive environments must not be released into
If a physical technique of euthanasia is used the wild. Release into the wild is only permissi-
when killing fishes, it should entail the physical ble under appropriate licence under the Fisheries
destruction of brain tissue by pithing or crushing (General) Regulations or similar provincial/ter-
the brain. ratorial regulations.
ccac guidelines
p. 64 p. 65
J. DISPOSITION OF FISH AFTER STUDY 4. Transfer of Fish Between Facilities
1. Consumption of Fish Guideline 116:
Guideline 114: Fishes should undergo health assessment before
Fishes destined for food and subjected to seda- being transported between facilities. Appropri-
tion or anesthesia should be held for the desig- ate regulatory approval and permits must be in
nated withdrawal time before being killed. place before any transfer.
p. 65 p. 65
12B. INTRODUCTION
The greatest challenge in providing guidelines on: These guidelines apply to fishes held in facilities
the care and use of fish is the wide variety of fishes for research, teaching and testing, as well as to
used in Canada and the diversity of their habits, fishes that are studied in their natural habitats.
behavior, life history, and environmental and
husbandry requirements. In addition, the scien-
the care and use of fish in research, teaching and testing, 2005
tific information required to define the preferred 1. Definition of Fish
conditions for fish well-being is limited. While
For the purpose of these guidelines, fishes are
considerable research has been conducted on defined as all bony and cartilaginous fish genera
culture strategies and environmental and water (classes Chondrichthyes [cartilaginous fishes],
quality requirements, such studies have general- Agnatha, and Osteichthyes [bony fishes]). Fish
ly been aimed at determining conditions that eggs, embryos or larvae that have not developed
optimize production in aquaculture systems, beyond exclusive reliance on their own yolk
rather than improving the welfare of fishes, and nutrients are not covered by these guidelines.
have not usually addressed the difference Similarly, invertebrates (except cephalopods) are
between tolerance and preference (Fisher, 2000). not covered under the CCAC system of surveil-
lance, but institutions are encouraged to foster
An important consideration in these guidelines respect for these animals by ensuring that hold-
is the naturally high mortality rates of juveniles ing facilities and levels of husbandry meet stan-
in species whose ecological strategies include the dards equivalent to those used for fishes.
generation of large numbers of progeny to
ensure adequate survival in the wild. In
addition, many experimental populations of 2. Rationale for Guidelines on the
species with usually high survival contain indi- Care and Use of Fish
viduals that will not thrive to adulthood even
under the best environmental conditions. In The use of fishes as experimental subjects has
some situations, a population-based (or a group increased substantially over the past two
of study fish) approach to well-being may be decades. This increase in use is a result of the
rapid development of the aquaculture industry,
appropriate, but individuals that are not likely to
requirements for testing involving fishes as indi-
thrive should be euthanized as soon as they are
cators of environmental change, and the use of
identified.
fishes as a replacement for mammals in biomed-
ical, pharmacological and genetic research
Another consideration for these guidelines is the
(DeTolla et al., 1995; Fabacher & Little, 2000). The
general acceptance by the public of the current trend toward the use of fishes as a replacement
killing methods used in harvesting wild fishes or for studies that would previously have used
in recreational angling. In general, the public mammals as experimental subjects is not dis-
appears to be willing to accept these killing couraged. However, it must also be recognized
methods for food production but not when fish- that fishes have the capacity to perceive noxious
es are used for research. These guidelines accept stimuli. Noxious stimuli are those stimuli that
that for research, teaching, and testing use of any are damaging or potentially damaging to normal
animal, including fishes, more emphasis will be tissue (e.g., mechanical pressure, extremes of
placed on individual well-being than is general- temperature and corrosive chemicals). Whether
ly accepted for the commercial harvesting or pro- or not fishes have the capacity to experience any
duction of animals for food. It is recognized, of the adverse states usually associated with pain
however, that in some instances investigators in mammals is subject to a great deal of debate in
may obtain fishes from people involved in com- the scientific literature (FAWC, 1996; FSBI, 2002;
mercial or recreational harvesting and have little Rose, 2002; Braithwaite & Huntingford, 2004).
influence over the capture methods. Nonetheless, fishes are capable of behavioral,
13physiological and hormonal responses to stres- number of animals necessary to obtain valid
sors (including noxious stimuli) which can be information. This requires the use of a sound
detrimental to their well-being. These CCAC research strategy, including: identification of key
guidelines both support the leadership role that experiments that determine whether a particular
Canadians play in fish research, and ensure that line of enquiry is worth pursuing; use of pilot
the welfare of fishes is carefully considered dur- studies; staging of in vitro to in vivo experiments
ing the use of fishes for research, teaching and where possible; and implementation of staged
testing, recognizing that better welfare will result increase in test stimuli where possible (Balls et al.,
in better science. 1995). The numbers and species of animals
ccac guidelines
required depend on the questions to be explored.
Field studies, aquaculture studies and laboratory
3. Ethical Overview studies require different statistical designs; field
Guideline 1: studies and aquaculture production typically
Fishes used in research, teaching and testing require the use of larger numbers of animals. The
must be treated with the respect accorded to life stage of the fishes used in each study will
other vertebrate species. also affect the numbers of animals needed.
Studies of early life stages typically require large
The CCAC's surveillance system for animals numbers of individuals. In all cases, studies
used in research, teaching and testing is based on should be designed to use the fewest animals
the principles of humane science, i.e. the Three necessary. Heffner et al. (1996) and Festing et al.
Rs of Russell and Burch (Russell & Burch, 1959) - (2002) provide discussions on the appropriate
Reduction, Replacement and Refinement. For the treatment of samples and experimental units.
CCAC, these principles are laid out in its policy Investigators are encouraged to consult with a
statement on: ethics of animal investigation (CCAC, statistician to develop study designs that have
1989). The ethics of animal investigation applies to the appropriate statistical power to accomplish
all species covered by the CCAC system, i.e. all the research objectives (Nickum et al., 2004).
vertebrates and cephalopods.
The CCAC policy statement on: ethics of animal
In addition, the CCAC system takes a "moral investigation (CCAC, 1989) also requires adher-
stewardship" approach to the use of animals ence to the following principles:
in science as explained in the CCAC Experi-
mental Animal User Training Core Topics - • animals must be maintained in a manner that
Module 2, Ethics in Animal Experimentation provides for their optimal health and well-
(http://www.ccac.ca/en/CCAC_Programs/ being, consistent with the demands imposed
ETCC/Module02/toc.html). by the experimental protocol;
The first guideline statement in the CCAC guide-
lines on: institutional animal user training (CCAC, • animals must not be subjected to pain and/
1999a) states, "Institutions must strive through or distress that is avoidable and that is
their training programs to sustain an institution-
not required by the nature of the relevent
al culture of respect for animal life".
protocol;
3.1 Principles of the Three Rs • expert opinion must attest to the potential
According to the CCAC policy statement on: ethics value of studies with all animals, including
of animal investigation (CCAC, 1989), it is the fishes (e.g., scientific merit for research, see
responsibility of the local animal care committee CCAC policy statement on: the importance of
(ACC) to ensure that fishes are used only if the independent scientific merit of animal based
investigator's best efforts to find a non-animal research projects [CCAC, 2000a]; pedagogical
model have failed. value for teaching; and the appropriateness of
the method to provide data for testing accord-
As for any other species covered by the CCAC ing to current regulatory requirements);
system, investigators using fishes are required to
use the most humane methods on the smallest • if pain or distress is a justified component of
14the study, the intensity and duration of tion that should be included in a protocol form to
pain/distress must be minimized; and be submitted to an ACC, see CCAC guidelines on:
animal use protocol review (CCAC, 1997a); and
• an animal observed to be experiencing severe, CCAC policy statement on: terms of reference for ani-
intractable pain and/or distress should mal care committees (CCAC, 2000b) or most recent
immediately be killed using an approved revisions. Investigators obtaining fishes from the
method of euthanasia. wild or carrying out field studies should also
consult the CCAC guidelines on: the care and use of
Meeting the principles outlined above requires wildlife, Section B 3.1.1.1 Protocols involving the
that fishes be accorded the same degree of care as use of wildlife (CCAC, 2003a).
the care and use of fish in research, teaching and testing, 2005
other animals under the CCAC system. There are
two main ethical drivers for CCAC guidelines: to When working outside of Canada, Canadian
maximize animal well-being, and to minimize investigators are subject to the same guidelines
pain and/or distress. Any factor that disturbs the that apply to work within Canada, as well as to
normal physiological balance of an animal has an the relevant legislation, regulations and guide-
effect on the studies being conducted, and there- lines pertaining to animal care in the country
fore should be avoided or minimized for scientif- where the work is conducted. This also applies to
ic as well as ethical reasons, unless the factor collaborative research projects, whether the work
itself is the subject of investigation. is conducted in Canada or elsewhere (see CCAC
policy statement on: animal-based projects involving
Fishes comprise a great number of species, each two or more institutions [CCAC, 2003b]).
with specific anatomical, physiological and
behavioral characteristics. Investigators and ani-
4.1.2 Studies and activities requiring
mal care staff should therefore acquaint them-
protocols
selves with the characteristics of the species pro-
posed to ensure that appropriate facilities and
4.1.2.1 Work requiring protocols and
husbandry procedures are in place prior to inclusion in animal use inventories
obtaining the animals.
These guidelines provide recommendations for
fishes when they are being used by investigators.
4. Responsibilities Fishes should be treated humanely whether or
Descriptions of the responsibilities of investiga- not they are to be included in animal use proto-
tors, animal care committees (ACCs) and veteri- cols or inventories.
narians are provided here; however, more
detailed information is given throughout these The following require protocols and inclusion in
guidelines to assist both investigators and mem- animal use inventories (i.e. CCAC Animal Use
bers of ACCs to meet their responsibilities. Data Form, see Reporting of Animal Use Data at
www.ccac.ca/en/CCAC_Programs/Assessment/
AUDFen.htm):
4.1 Responsibilities of investigators
4.1.1 Protocols involving the use • fishes held live in confinement for any period
of fish of time (even hours) for research, display,
teaching or testing;
Guideline 2:
Projects involving the use of fishes for • fishes lethally sampled in the field for
research, teaching or testing should be research, teaching or non-routine testing
described within a protocol. Protocols should purposes;
be approved by an animal care committee
prior to the commencement of the work. • fishes caught, sampled or otherwise manipu-
lated and released in the field for research,
Investigators are responsible for obtaining ACC teaching and testing purposes; and
approval before beginning any animal-based
work. For further details concerning the informa- • genetically modified fishes.
154.1.2.2 Work not requiring protocols or investigators using fish as a research animal.
inclusion in animal use inventories Animal users should receive refresher training
on a five-year basis, and additional training
The following will not require protocols or inclu- should be given as needed in order to be able to
sion in animal use inventories: carry out procedures competently.
• fish eggs, embryos or larvae that have not Guideline 4:
developed beyond exclusive reliance on their
Investigators are responsible for, and must
own yolk nutrients;
comply with, occupational health and safety
ccac guidelines
regulations regarding the protection of per-
• wild source or hatchery fishes that have not sonnel from known or suspected physical
been assigned to research studies, and whose and biological hazards.
propagation is sufficiently understood to be
considered routine;
As with any other laboratory, animal care facili-
ties (including aquatic facilities) should have an
• fishes being observed in the field that are not occupational health and safety program. All per-
being handled or interfered with in any way; sonnel using the facility should be familiar with
the requirements of relevant federal, provincial/
• fishes being counted at installations such as territorial and municipal legislation. Chapter
counting fences and traps; VIII of the CCAC Guide to the Care of Experimental
Animals (CCAC, 1993a) provides additional
• fishes being lethally sampled under govern- details on occupational health and safety.
ment or other regulatory mandate for estab-
lished fish inspection procedures, abundance Guideline 5:
estimates, and other population parameters
Investigators should be aware of the potential
required for assessing stocks and for routine
risks associated with zoonotic agents pres-
monitoring of contamination/toxin levels
ent in fishes.
and disease; and
A brief review of fish zoonotic agents is provid-
• fishes already killed in the course of estab-
ed in Appendix B of this document.
lished aquaculture industry or commercial
fishing purposes.
4.2 Responsibilities of the animal
Guideline 3: care committee
Before working with fishes, investigators, The CCAC Terms of Reference for Animal Care
technical staff and post-graduate students Committees (CCAC, 2000b, or most recent version)
must be properly trained and have their com- should be consulted for detailed information on
petency evaluated. the roles and responsibilities of institutional
ACCs. In particular, ACCs are responsible for
According to CCAC guidelines on: institutional reviewing all studies conducted by investigators
animal user training (CCAC, 1999a), investigators belonging to their institution, whether the work is
and students should complete the Core conducted in-house or elsewhere. ACCs should
Components of the Recommended Syllabus for an ensure that appropriate care will be provided for
Institutional Animal User Training Program all animals at all stages of their life and under all
(CCAC, 1999b) and should have completed the experimental situations. ACCs are responsible for
relevant hands-on training to meet the Syllabus ensuring that there is appropriate management of
requirements on the use of fish as a research the facilities housing the animals. In particular,
animal. "Students" refers to post-graduate stu- ACCs should verify that there is a person clearly
dents; undergraduate students are expected to be designated to be in charge of animal care and
supervised by a properly qualified individual. management of the facilities who should also be a
See the CCAC website (www.ccac.ca/en/ member of the ACC. Additionally, members of
CCAC_Programs/CCAC_Programs-ETC.htm) the ACC should visit the animal facilities and
for further information on relevant courses for areas in which animals are used on a regular
16basis, in order to better understand the work Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
being conducted within the institution.
• Signed and ratified by Canada in 1992, CBD
sets out broad commitments to the protection
ACCs are responsible for ensuring that veteri- of biological diversity. Categories of pro-
nary care is available to all animals being used grams of work under CBD include Marine
for experimental purposes within the institution. and Coastal Biodiversity and Freshwater
Biodiversity. www.biodiv.org/convention
4.3 Role of the veterinarian Convention on International Trade in Endangered
The CCAC uses the CALAM/ACMAL Standards Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
the care and use of fish in research, teaching and testing, 2005
of Veterinary Care (CALAM/ACMAL, 2004) as • CITES, in force since 1975, has 167 member
the Canadian standards for the role and responsi- countries (as of 2005), including Canada.
bilities of the veterinarian within an institution Member countries ban commercial trade in
using animals for research, teaching or testing, and endangered species and regulate and moni-
assesses participants in its program based on these tor trade in other species that might become
standards. Veterinarians working at institutions endangered. CITES applies not only to live
with large populations of fishes are encouraged to animals, but also to "Parts and parts thereof",
have special training in fish health management in which includes all types of biological sam-
research, teaching or testing environments. ples (skin, hair, bones, blood, serum, etc.).
www.cites.org
Code of Practice for Introduction and Transfer of
5. Government Regulations and
Marine Organisms
Policies on the Use of Fish
• The International Council for the Exploration
Guideline 6: of the Sea (ICES) requests early notification
Anyone acquiring or transporting fishes, or of planned introductions which may affect
conducting research on fishes, must be famil- joint water bodies, in order to carry out inter-
national review. www.ices.dk/reports/general/
iar with, and comply with, relevant interna-
2004/ICESCOP2004.pdf
tional, federal and provincial/territorial legis-
lation and policies governing the capture of
International Aquatic Animal Health Code for
fishes and/or their transfer from one water Finfish, Molluscs and Crustacea
body or jurisdiction to another.
• To facilitate international trade, l'Office
It is important to verify current regulatory infor- International des Epizooties (OIE) uses
mation with the regulatory agencies identified this Code (updated every two years) which
below to ensure compliance with current legal defines minimum health requirements
to avoid the risk of spreading aquatic ani-
requirements.
mal diseases. www.oie.int/eng/normes/en_
acode.htm
5.1 International
Sanitary/Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement
There exist several international agreements,
• This provides agreed-upon rules for General
codes, and conventions that relate to the intro-
Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and
ductions and transfers of aquatic organisms. World Trade Organization (WTO) in the use
Requirements are typically incorporated through of SPS measures in international trade.
domestic legislation. Therefore, for activities www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/sps_e/
occurring in or otherwise pertaining to Canada, spsagr_e.htm
verification with Canadian authorities and com-
pliance with Canadian laws should ensure com- Canada-USA Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and
pliance with international standards. Some North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
examples of international agreements, codes and • These agreements provide SPS measures con-
conventions include: sidered acceptable for trade between Canada,
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