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<br />Introduction
<br />Respect for all forms and systems of life is an inherent
<br />characteristic of scientists and managers who conduct field
<br />research on fishes. Consistent with our long standing
<br />interests in conservation, education, research, and the
<br />general well-being of fishes, the ASIH, AFS, and AIFRB
<br />support the following guidelines and principles for scientists
<br />conducting field research on these animals. As professional
<br />scientists specializing in fish biology concerned with the
<br />welfare of our study animals, we recognize that guidelines
<br />for the laboratory care and use of domesticated stocks of
<br />fishes are often not applicable to wild-caught fishes, and
<br />in fact may be impossible to apply without endangering
<br />the well-being of these fishes. Laboratory guidelines may
<br />also preclude techniques or types of investigations known
<br />to have minimal adverse effects on individuals or popula-
<br />tions (1,2,3), and which are necessary for the acquisition of
<br />new knowledge.
<br />The respectful treatment of wild fishes in field research
<br />is both an ethical and a scientific necessity. Traumatized
<br />animals may exhibit abnormal physiological, behavioral,
<br />and ecological responses that defeat the purposes of the
<br />investigation. For example, animals that are captured, marked
<br />and released must be able to resume their normal activities
<br />in an essentially undisturbed habitat if the purposes of the
<br />research are to be fulfilled.
<br />The acquisition of new knowledge and understanding
<br />constitutes a major justification for any investigation. All
<br />effects of possibly valuable new research procedures (or
<br />new applications of established procedures) cannot be an-
<br />ticipated. The description and geographic distribution of
<br />newly discovered species justifies studies of organisms that
<br />are poorly known. It is impossible to predict all potential
<br />observation or collection opportunities at the initiation of
<br />most fieldwork, yet the observation or acquisition of un-
<br />expected taxa may be of considerable scientific value. Field
<br />studies of wild fishes often involve many species, some of
<br />which may be unknown to science before the onset of a
<br />study. A consequence of these points is that frequently
<br />investigators must refer to taxa above the species level, as
<br />well as to individual species in their research design.
<br />Because of the very considerable range of adaptive di-
<br />versity represented by the over 20,000 species of fishes, no
<br />concise or specific compendium of approved methods for
<br />field research is practical or desirable. Rather, the guidelines
<br />presented below build on the most current information to
<br />advise the investigator, who will often be an authority on
<br />the biology of the species under study, as to techniques
<br />that are known to be appropriate and effective in the conduct
<br />of field research. Ultimate responsibility for the ethical and
<br />scientific validity of an investigation and the methods
<br />employed must rest with the investigator. To those who
<br />adhere to the principles of careful field research these
<br />guidelines will simply be a formal statement of precautions
<br />already in place.
<br />General Considerations
<br />Research proposals may require approval of an IACUC
<br />(see below). In situations requiring such approval, each
<br />investigator must provide written assurance in applications
<br />and proposals that field research with fishes will meet the
<br />following requirements.
<br />a. The living conditions of animals field in captivity at field
<br />sites will be appropriate For fishes and contribute to their
<br />heath and well-being. The housing, feeding, and
<br />nonmedical care of the animals will be directed by a
<br />scientist (generally the investigator) trained and expe-
<br />rienced in the proper care, handling, and use of the
<br />fishes being maintained or studied. Some experiments
<br />(e.g., competition studies) will require the housing of
<br />mixed species in the same enclosure. Mixed housing is
<br />also appropriate for holding or displaying certain species.
<br />b. Procedures with animals must avoid or minimize distress
<br />to fishes, consistent with sound research design.
<br />c. Procedures that may cause more than momentary or
<br />slight distress to the animals should be performed with
<br />appropriate sedation, analgesia, or anesthesia, except
<br />when justified for scientific reasons in writing by the
<br />investigator.
<br />d. Fishes that would otherwise experience severe or chronic
<br />distress that cannot be relieved will be euthanized at the
<br />end of the procedure, or, if appropriate, during the
<br />procedure.
<br />e. Methods of euthanasia will be consistent with the ra-
<br />tionale behind the recommendations of the American
<br />Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Panel on Eu-
<br />thanasia (4), but fishes differ sufficiently that their specific
<br />techniques do not apply. The method listed by the Royal
<br />Society (5) may be followed.
<br />Additional general considerations that should be incor-
<br />poratedinto anyresearchdesign usingwildfishes include
<br />the following:
<br />f. The investigator must have knowledge of all regulations
<br />pertaining to the animals under study, and must obtain
<br />alt permits necessary for carrying out proposed studies.
<br />Investigators must uphold not only the letter but also
<br />the spirit of regulations. [Most applicable regulations are
<br />referenced in publications of the Association of System-
<br />atics Collections (6,7,R)j Researchers working outside
<br />the United States should ensure that they comply with
<br />all wildlife regulations of the country in which the
<br />research is being performed. Work with many species
<br />is regulated by the provisions of the Convention on
<br />International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna
<br />and Flora (CITES) (see "CITES" references in 6,7). Reg-
<br />ulationsaffecting asingle species may vary H~ith country.
<br />Local regulations may also apply.
<br />g. Individuals of endangered or threatened taxa should
<br />neither be removed from the wild (except in collaboration
<br />~~ith conservation efforts); nor imported or exported,
<br />except in compliance with applicable regulations.
<br />h. Investigators must be familiar with the fishes to be
<br />studied and their response to disturbance, sensitivity to
<br />capture and restraint and, if necessary, requirements for
<br />captive maintenance to the extent that these factors are
<br />known and applicable to a particular study.
<br />i. Taxa chosen should bewell-suited to answer the research
<br />question(s) posed.
<br />j. Every effort should be made prior to removal of fishes
<br />(if any) to understand the population status (abundant,
<br />threatened, rare, etc.} of the taxa to be studied, and the
<br />March -April 1988 17
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