Focus on Fish 2022 - Practical refinements for fishes in research and testing

This event has now taken place. Keep an eye out here for updates on a future event!

Overview

The use of fishes in research and testing is rapidly increasing globally, and there is now widening recognition of the need to minimise harms and improve welfare. This RSPCA-led online event, which is now in its third year, brings together experts to share cutting-edge knowledge and approaches to refining fish use, enhancing both animal welfare and translatability.

2023 Session Replays

Whilst this event was free to attend, any voluntary donations are appreciated as they will help us to continue to hold similar conferences, meetings and workshops in the future.

Agenda

All times are GMT time zone
Speaker information can be found below each talk title

Agenda coming soon!

Check back here for regular updates.

Event Day – Online

2023-02-23

Event Day – Online

2023-02-23

Session One:

11:00

Introduction

Chloe Stevens | RSPCA

11:05

The zebrafish model in biomedical research – From 3R’s to reproducibility

Lars Bräutigam | Karolinska Institutet

11:30

Time to de-stress: effect of social cues on wild zebrafish behaviour and activity

Anuradha Bhat | Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Kolkata

11:55

Transgenerational effects of early life adversity on zebrafish behaviour and cognition: implications for housing and standardization

Matthew Parker | University of Surrey

12:20 - 13:15

Break

Session Two:

13:15

Improving the welfare of captive reared fish

Carlos Garcia de Leaniz | Swansea University

13:40

How understanding fish behaviour can improve the welfare of fish in research

Sonia Rey Planellas | University of Stirling

14:05

Early life history of Atlantic salmon: implications for aquaculture research

Erik Burgerhout | Nofima

14:30 - 14:50

Break

Session Three:

14:50

MS222 and its alternatives: a journey through behaviour and synaptic proteins alterations in adult zebrafish

Jorge Miguel Ferreira | i3S, University of Porto

15:15

The role of water chemistry in zebrafish welfare and reproducibility of research studies

Rod Wilson | University of Exeter

15:40

A to Z – Alligators to Zebrafish: Why use electric stunning?

Robin McKimm | Electro Fishing Services Ltd

16:05 - 16:15

Meeting wrap up, take home messages of the day and close

Session One:

11:00

Introduction

Chloe Stevens | RSPCA

11:05

The zebrafish model in biomedical research – From 3R’s to reproducibility

Lars Bräutigam | Karolinska Institutet

11:30

Time to de-stress: effect of social cues on wild zebrafish behaviour and activity

Anuradha Bhat | Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Kolkata

11:55

Transgenerational effects of early life adversity on zebrafish behaviour and cognition: implications for housing and standardization

Matthew Parker | University of Surrey

12:20 - 13:15

Break

Session Two:

13:15

Improving the welfare of captive reared fish

Carlos Garcia de Leaniz | Swansea University

13:40

How understanding fish behaviour can improve the welfare of fish in research

Sonia Rey Planellas | University of Stirling

14:05

Early life history of Atlantic salmon: implications for aquaculture research

Erik Burgerhout | Nofima

14:30 - 14:50

Break

Session Three:

14:50

MS222 and its alternatives: a journey through behaviour and synaptic proteins alterations in adult zebrafish

Jorge Miguel Ferreira | i3S, University of Porto

15:15

The role of water chemistry in zebrafish welfare and reproducibility of research studies

Rod Wilson | University of Exeter

15:40

A to Z – Alligators to Zebrafish: Why use electric stunning?

Robin McKimm | Electro Fishing Services Ltd

16:05 - 16:15

Meeting wrap up, take home messages of the day and close

Select date to see events.

Poster submissions

Poster submissions highlighting refinements for fishes in research and testing are very welcome. If you have a poster that you would like to be included in the virtual poster session on the day of the meeting, please email animalsinscience@rspca.org.uk using the title ‘Focus on Fish – poster submission’.

Who should attend?

This meeting is appropriate for all those involved in the care, use and regulation of fishes in research and testing, including:

Scientists
Animal technologists and care staff
Veterinarians
Regulators
Members of Animal Ethics Committees, Animal Welfare Bodies (including the UK AWERB) or Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees

Whilst this event is free to attend, any voluntary donations are appreciated as they will help us to continue to hold similar conferences, meetings and workshops in the future.

2022 Edition

The event was the third edition of Focus on Fish, with the previous event having taken place on 23/02/2022.

The session replays can be found below.

Topics included fish welfare, practical refinements for fish & welfare assessment and humane endpoints.

Contact

Should you have any questions about this event, please contact Forum Europe, RSPCA’s logistics partner for the ‘Focus on Fish’ event:

Sophie Turner
Event Manager – On behalf of RSPCA

Tel: +44 (0) 2920 783 020

focusonfish@forum-europe.com

About RSPCA

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) is a registered charity in England and Wales, with the vision to live in a world where all animals are respected and treated with compassion.