Animal Ethics Policy & TOR

Ethical clearance of research is a fundamental requirement for institutions dealing directly with the collection or the use of animals for scientific research. Animal research undertaken at NRF-SAIAB is diverse, and includes research on invertebrates, fishes, amphibians and, occasionally, reptiles.

Reference collections
Biodiversity census
Ecological research
Experimental research
Ethical Conduct
NRF-SAIAB is committed to ethical conduct with regard to the treatment of animals and the environment, and conforms to The South African National Standard for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purpose (SANS10386:2021), stakeholder norms, and to international publishing requirements.
Clearance Requirements
Owing to the diversity of research techniques, study species and aquatic environments in which scientists at NRF-SAIAB work, all research undertaken by researchers at SAIAB that involves live animals requires clearance by the SAIAB Animal Ethics Committee (AEC).
SAIAB Animal Ethics Policy (August 2021)
The purpose of this policy is to ensure that the care and use of animals for scientific purposes aligns with NRF-SAIAB’s high ethical values and ethical standards, as outlined above; and to distinguish NRF-SAIAB as a leader in the field of the ethical care and use of aquatic animals for scientific purposes.
Ethical Considerations

To unravel some of the complexities of these ethical considerations, especially with regard to field work in aquatic environments, in 2015 postdoctoral fellows at SAIAB led by Dr Rhett Bennett, teamed up with Principal Scientist, Professor Olaf Weyl, to author a paper entitled Ethical considerations for field research on fishes, especially with regard to field work on fishes in aquatic environments, published in the journal Koedoe in December 2016.

Click here to View the Policy Document

Animal Ethics Clearance and Approval

Animal Ethics Committee Terms of Reference (August 2021)

SAIAB is busy developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the various functions and processes of the Animal Ethics Committee and various research methodologies used in aquatic science. To apply for animal ethics clearance and approval:

Apply for Approval

Application Submission Deadlines and AEC Meetings

Please refer to and comply with the Animal Ethics application submission deadlines and AEC meetings for 2025.

Animal Ethics Approval Application Form

Download and complete the Animal Ethics Approval Application Form (December 2023)

Abridged Ethics form for Non-sentient Animals

Download and complete the application for the observation or collection of non-sentient animals, plants, water or sediment, or dead tissue.

Completed Form Returns

Return the completed form in MS Word (.docx) to Dr Ross-Lynne Gibb (animalethics@saiab.nrf.ac.za) on or before the application deadline as shown on the calendar.

Animal Ethics Interim/Annual/Final Progress Report Form

Download and complete the Animal Ethics Interim/Annual/Final Progress Report Form (May 2023)

Amendment Request Form

Download and complete the Animal Ethics amendment request form.