Overview
ISO 23893-1:2007 - Water quality - Biochemical and physiological measurements on fish - Part 1: Sampling of fish, handling and preservation of samples - provides standardized guidance for collecting fish and fish tissues for biochemical and physiological analysis. The standard focuses on producing site‑specific, representative samples for determination of biomarkers (e.g., enzyme activities, blood and tissue composition) to assess fish health in field and laboratory studies. It covers sampling design, field and laboratory tissue collection, handling, preservation and reporting to support reliable biomarker-based water quality assessment.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Sampling design and statistical aspects: select species, age/size and sex to reduce biological variability; obtain representative numbers of fish per site for trend monitoring and impact mapping.
- Timing and frequency: recommends annual sampling in autumn to avoid reproductive-season physiological changes and to maximize catchability with passive gear.
- Equipment and field setup: lists required gear such as boats, gill nets/fyke nets, GPS, fish chests, dissection tools, field laboratory, centrifuge, haematocrit tubes, and cold-storage supplies (liquid nitrogen, dry ice).
- Tissue sampling and handling: procedures for blood, liver, muscle and other tissues; use of anaesthetics/stunning for ethical handling; immediate processing options (centrifugation, blood smears).
- Preservation and transport: rapid freezing (liquid nitrogen), storage in insulated containers or dry ice for transport to analytical labs to preserve biochemical integrity.
- Quality assurance and permits: QA across sampling, tissue handling and biochemical analysis; obtain necessary fishing and ethical permits; maintain qualified personnel and standardized protocols.
- Reporting and data management: standardized reporting templates, data logging and interpretation guidance (Annexes provide variable lists, interpretation guidance, and suggested report formats).
Practical applications
- Environmental monitoring and water quality assessment using biomarkers.
- Time‑trend surveillance and baseline/reference data collection for impacted vs. reference sites.
- Assessment of pollutant exposure and sublethal effects (early warning of ecosystem disturbance).
- Supporting cause–effect investigation via laboratory toxicology using the same sampling protocols.
- Informing regulatory compliance, remediation monitoring, and fisheries health studies.
Who should use this standard
- Environmental monitoring agencies and water quality authorities
- Fisheries and wildlife managers
- Academic and contract research laboratories performing biomarker analyses
- Ecotoxicologists and consultants conducting field surveys and impact assessments
Related standards
- ISO 23893 (series) - Part 2 addresses specific biomarker determination (e.g., EROD).
- Applicable national fisheries and animal welfare permit regulations.
Keywords: ISO 23893-1:2007, water quality, fish sampling, biomarkers, tissue preservation, field sampling, biochemical analysis.