Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration

Mystic Aquarium Policy on Research and the Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC)

Mystic Aquarium is a research facility registered with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Under the terms of this registration, the Aquarium must maintain an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) responsible for reviewing and approving research protocols involving regulated vertebrate animals at the facility. The purpose of the Committee is to ensure the humane treatment of animals during the course of bona fide research activities. Bona fide research on animals is that which is deemed necessary and appropriate to the advancement of knowledge, is not duplicative of established, accepted information, and has no acceptable non-animal alternative (e.g., computer model, in vitro test). Research at Mystic Aquarium contributes not only to the betterment of marine organisms on exhibit but to their conservation in the natural environment.

Approval by the IACUC does not obligate Mystic Aquarium to provide the requested specimens or to support financially or in any other way the proposed study. It is recommended that researchers inform themselves through direct communication with appropriate senior staff of the potential for conducting a given experiment at the institution prior to developing a proposal to the IACUC. Researchers should recognize that circumstances relating to institutional priorities, such as animal husbandry, exhibits, visitor experience, or mechanical systems, may impact their ability to complete an IACUC-approved study at Mystic Aquarium.

Approved projects are reviewed for reapproval annually, and brief interim reports will be requested from the Principal Investigator to establish progress. Deviations from an approved protocol must be presented to the IACUC for consideration as an amendment before being implemented. Upon completion of a project, the investigator will submit a brief report detailing the number of animals actually involved, frequency of sampling, response and current status of the test subjects.

Guidelines for Submission

1. Principal Investigators (PI) should first complete a Project / Specimen Request Form for review by the Internal Review Committee

2. If it is determined that the project is feasible within the operational constraints of the Aquarium, a Research Proposal and Protocol Review Form should be submitted to the IACUC.

3. The PI should provide complete information, including references, to all questions or insert N/A if not applicable.

Contact Gayle Sirpenski, Animal Management Specialist, (Phone:860-572-5955 Ext. 108)

E-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to obtain a Project/Specimen Request Form and IACUC Protocol Review Form.