Legislation

• In the United States, most animal welfare legislation, such as the Animal Welfare Act does not, as of 2010, apply to cold-blooded vertebrates. Field research may be subject to environmental regulations. Conservation legislation, such as the Endangered Species Act, covers vulnerable or endangered fish species.
  
  

State Policies

• Individual states have introduced legislation that covers or affects fish research. An example is the Native Fish Conservation Policy of Oregon, which centers on conservation. Other states also have policies relating to the environment, safe handling of fish, and animal welfare.
  
  

AFS Policy Statements

• The umbrella organization for fish research policies in the United States is the American Fisheries Society which has produced specific policy statements, in particular, the Guidelines for Use of Fish in Field Research. Institutions involved in fish research outside the laboratory follow the guidelines. These recommend minimizing trauma to fish, damage to the environment and danger to researchers.