Facilities & Marine Operations       |      Duke University Marine Lab

Animal Care and Use

SUBJECT: Duke Marine Lab Animal Care and Use Program Protocol

DUKE UNIVERSITY MARINE LABORATORY
ANIMAL CARE AND USE PROGRAM
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Duke University has a policy and a program for the care and use of vertebrate animals in teaching and research. No fish or other vertebrate may be held in a tank for more than 12 hours or subjected to any experimental procedure at any time without an approved protocol. The Policy applies to all students and visiting investigators as well as resident faculty and graduate students. If a student or visitor wants to hold or use fish for teaching or research then the person should obtain a separate approved protocol or have their animal use added to an existing protocol. In addition to the protocol, animals must be housed in an Approved Facility. Approved facilities for holding or experimentation on vertebrates (fish and turtles) are monitored by the DUML Compliance Officer (Ed Ladenburger, 504-7594; jedward@duke.edu), who must be consulted before vertebrates (fish and turtles) are housed in these facilities. The Marine Laboratory has an Animal Care and Use Committee that may be consulted to help in obtaining necessary protocols. Obtaining protocols usually takes one or two months. Any vertebrate being used for teaching or research which is found on Duke University property must be properly identified (see the compliance officer) or it will be released immediately, per University policy. At the present time, University rules do not require a protocol for invertebrates but Animal Housing Identification Tags are required (available in approved facilities or from the compliance officer). Although protocols are not required, the Marine Laboratory expects an appropriate level of care be given to invertebrates and we encourage staff and students to become involved in the proper care of all living organisms. Fish tanks kept by individuals for purely esthetic reasons are not covered by the policy.Link to