The veterinarian's role in surgical implantation of electronic tags in fish

摘要

The current role of veterinarians participating in the intracoelomic surgical implantation of electronic tags in fisheries research projects with researchers is limited, but could be expanded. Veterinary training is broadly applicable to conducting surgeries on any species, and there are increasing numbers of veterinarians with fish-specific experience. A few of the roles veterinarians can play include advising on surgical instrument selection and acquisition, interfacing with Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees, devising strategies for anesthesia, providing direction on disinfection and sterilization, complying with regulatory requirements, providing individualized surgery instruction, and occasionally performing field surgeries. Veterinarians and fish researchers bring different strengths and deficits to bear in a fish surgery project, and it is helpful to recognize these for successful collaborations. Engaging veterinary consultation for electronic tag implantation surgeries in fish can be a mutually beneficial experience for the researcher and the veterinarian, with dividends in data quality and welfare of the research subjects.