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Introduction
Fish and other
aquatic animals have unique characteristics and needs, especially in closed environments. In recent years, fish have become increasingly important in research, teaching and
testing. In the Canadian Council on Animal Care's (CCAC) Animal Use Survey (2001), fish accounted for approximately 29% of all research animals in Canada.
In 1999, the CCAC introduced the guidelines for the National Institutional Animal User Training Program. As of January 2003, institutions that participate in the CCAC assessment program are required to have mechanisms in place to ensure that all personnel who carry out animal-based work have received adequate training in the principles of laboratory animal science and the ethical issues involved in animal use. The Care, Handling and Use of Aquatic Animals program has been specifically tailored to meet NIAUT guidelines and to address the specific care and use issues associated with aquatic animals in laboratory settings.
The Care, Handling and Use of Aquatic Animals program is an intensive, broad-based program that is an ideal introductory or refresher course for individuals involved in aquatic animal research, teaching or testing.
Course Topics
Working with the
expert faculty and technical staff of the Atlantic Veterinary College at the University of Prince Edward Island, the Canadian Aquaculture Institute has designed this intensive 5-day program to address a broad range of topics specific to the care, handling and use of aquatic animals. Some of these topics include:
- Regulation of Experimental Animal Use in Canada
- Ethical Issues of Experimental Animal Use
- The Three Rs (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement)
- Occupational Health and Safety
- Fish as a Research Animal
- Recognizing Pain, Distress and Stress in Fish
- Aquatic Animal Biology and Husbandry Considerations
- Anesthesia and Euthanasia
- Routine Techniques Using Aquatic Animals (Weighing and Measuring, Body Fluid Sampling, Tagging and Marking)
- Water Quality and Laboratory Holding Systems
- Health and Disease of Aquatic Animals
- Post Mortem Techniques
Target Audience
This course is aimed at professionals who are involved in the care and/or experimental use of fish, crustaceans and molluscs. This program will be of particular value to veterinarians, animal health/laboratory technicians and scientific researchers with entry to mid-level experience with aquatic animals.
Schedule and Fees
Next Session: August 20 - 24, 2007
Location:
The course will be delivered with a combination of on-line, classroom and laboratory teaching using the expert facilities at the Atlantic Veterinary College in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island (Canada).
Fee:
The 5-day Care,
Handling and Use of Aquatic Animals is $1650 CDN/person. Registration fee is subject to a 6% Goods and Services Tax.
Register Online or Download a Registration Form (print friendly pdf format)
Acrobat Reader (free download)
Registration Policy
The deadline for program registration is 1 month prior to the program start date. Payment may be made by cheque or credit card, and must be received in full before registration is accepted. Confirmation of registration and a registration package will be sent to all registrants.
Refund Policy
In the event of a registrant withdrawing from the program, a 90% refund will be given if notification is received at least 5 working days before the program start date. No refund of fees will be given for cancellation within 5 days of the start of the program, although credit for future courses may be offered depending upon the circumstances of the cancellation.
Cancellation Policy
In the event of insufficient registrations, the Canadian Aquaculture Institute reserves the right to cancel or postpone this program to a later date. Registered participants will be notified regarding cancellations or date changes 1 month in advance of a cancellation or postponement and will receive a full refund of their registration. Registrants are strongly encouraged to purchase Cancellation Insurance from their travel agency and to be aware of the policies therein. The Canadian Aquaculture Institute or the University of Prince Edward Island will not be held responsible for costs incurred by participants having to cancel or reschedule travel or accommodation arrangements.
Course Faculty and Staff
The Care, Handling and Use of Aquatic Animals is taught by faculty, researchers and technicians from the
Atlantic Veterinary College. Program personnel include fish pathologists, veterinarians, aquatic animal facility technical staff and researchers with extensive experience in the care and use of aquatic animals.
Course Outline
The program content
will reflect user requirements, and emphasize laboratory-based care and research issues.
Much of the content focuses on fin fish species, but will also address considerations for crustacean and mollusc species. Participants are required to complete an online 'primer' for the regulatory and ethical aspects of experimental animal use. The remainder of the program will be held in classroom and laboratory facilities at the Atlantic Veterinary College.
Introduction to Experimental Animal Use
This section will
provide a historical and organizational perspective on the guidelines, regulations and responsibilities associated with the use of experimental animals in Canada.
Ethical Issues of Experimental Animal Use
Ethical and moral
aspects of animal use are influenced by the attitudes of both general public and animal welfare interest groups. The cost-benefit balance of animal use, the scientific validity of the work
done and the Three "R"s concept (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) are issues to be discussed.
Due to the nature of these topics, much of the information will be relayed in a discussion format.
Research Issues
General
issues impacting the quality of research and the quality of life of the aquatic research animals will be addressed.
Other topics will include recordkeeping, the recognition of pain and distress in aquatic animals, humane endpoints, disinfection protocols and case studies and occupational health and safety issues.
Aquatic Animal Biology and Well-being
This section will
include information on aquatic animal biology and husbandry, including housing, water quality, nutrition, animal well being, health and disease recognition and monitoring, and post mortem
examination.
Routine Techniques
These sessions will
cover handling, weighing and measuring, anesthetic and euthanasia, tagging and marking and body fluid sampling, as well as a brief overview of the principles of aquatic animal surgery.
Other CAI Aquatic Animal User Training Programs
The Canadian Aquaculture Institute also offers The Experimental Fish, an online institutional aquatic animal user training program. For information on other aquaculture-based programming, click here.
Contact the Canadian Aquaculture Institute
Please forward all program inquiries to:Canadian Aquaculture Institute
University of Prince Edward Island
550 University Avenue
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Canada C1A 4P3 Tel: 902 894 2839
Fax: 902 628 4355
Email: fishcarecourse@upei.ca
Website: www.upei.ca/cai
Accommodations Information
For accommodations information in Charlottetown and other areas of Prince Edward Island, please visit
PEI - Places to Stay to search by type of accommodation, location, rates and other features.
About Prince Edward Island
For more information on Prince Edward Island, please visit the Government of Prince Edward Island's website.
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