Shipping of Flying Squid specimens
For DNA analysis, small tissue samples (such as a small piece of thesquid mantle muscle - a cube of sides about 3 mm is more than enough) should be removed from the squid as soon as possible and placed directly in 100% ethanol, RNAlater (a commercial product to preserve both RNA and DNA) or (apparently) detergent (which will destroy bacteria and prevent degradation of any RNA or DNA present).
Pack specimens individually in 2 or 3 ziploc bags each (to minimize leakage). Before placing in the final bag, wrap around with gauze to hold in any liquid that might escape to retain moisture. In this way, you can minimize the liquid with the squid during transportation to keep the weight to a minimum.
Shipping materials in ethanol is a problem, with potentially serious legal problems. The following is a summary of procedures.
It is possible to transport specimens in small amounts of ethanol but the regulations and packing procedures are complex. The easiest way
around all this is to place the specimens in 24% ethanol immediately before packing. Drain away all excess liquid & wrap each specimen in
gauze soaked in 24% ethanol. Place each in its own ziploc bag (preferably heat-sealed), then another zip-loc bag, then wrap with
dry gauze, towels or newspaper (to absorb any potential leakage), then in a final plastic bag. Place specimens together in a box with
lots of packing (styrofoam chips, bubble plastic, crumpled newspaperor whatever). Place a letter inside the box including the following text.
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CUSTOMS & POSTAL INSPECTORS: This package contains dead (NON VIABLE) marine organisms in 24% ethyl alcohol. If inspected it is imperative that the specimens are maintained in a WET condition. If allowed to dry out the animals will be worthless as museum or
research material. Originally preserved in 70% ethanol. Specimens have been transferred to 24% aqueous ethanol so as to comply with the IATA DG Regulations. They have been drained dry of preservative and packed in gauze soaked with 24% aqueous ethanol, sealed inside 2 layers of plastic. As such these sample are NOT subject to IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations.
(see paragraph A58, page 318 of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations) 49th Edition.
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This is a compromise and is not good for the specimens over a long period. They should be packed and sent off promptly, and on receipt
they must be returned to 70% ethanol without delay.
Be aware of the Indonesian laws for taking biological samples out of the country. The squids in question should not be CITES listed, so that should not be an issue.
Please click on this blue text to return to Flying Squid page
For DNA analysis, small tissue samples (such as a small piece of thesquid mantle muscle - a cube of sides about 3 mm is more than enough) should be removed from the squid as soon as possible and placed directly in 100% ethanol, RNAlater (a commercial product to preserve both RNA and DNA) or (apparently) detergent (which will destroy bacteria and prevent degradation of any RNA or DNA present).
Pack specimens individually in 2 or 3 ziploc bags each (to minimize leakage). Before placing in the final bag, wrap around with gauze to hold in any liquid that might escape to retain moisture. In this way, you can minimize the liquid with the squid during transportation to keep the weight to a minimum.
Shipping materials in ethanol is a problem, with potentially serious legal problems. The following is a summary of procedures.
It is possible to transport specimens in small amounts of ethanol but the regulations and packing procedures are complex. The easiest way
around all this is to place the specimens in 24% ethanol immediately before packing. Drain away all excess liquid & wrap each specimen in
gauze soaked in 24% ethanol. Place each in its own ziploc bag (preferably heat-sealed), then another zip-loc bag, then wrap with
dry gauze, towels or newspaper (to absorb any potential leakage), then in a final plastic bag. Place specimens together in a box with
lots of packing (styrofoam chips, bubble plastic, crumpled newspaperor whatever). Place a letter inside the box including the following text.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CUSTOMS & POSTAL INSPECTORS: This package contains dead (NON VIABLE) marine organisms in 24% ethyl alcohol. If inspected it is imperative that the specimens are maintained in a WET condition. If allowed to dry out the animals will be worthless as museum or
research material. Originally preserved in 70% ethanol. Specimens have been transferred to 24% aqueous ethanol so as to comply with the IATA DG Regulations. They have been drained dry of preservative and packed in gauze soaked with 24% aqueous ethanol, sealed inside 2 layers of plastic. As such these sample are NOT subject to IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations.
(see paragraph A58, page 318 of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations) 49th Edition.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is a compromise and is not good for the specimens over a long period. They should be packed and sent off promptly, and on receipt
they must be returned to 70% ethanol without delay.
Be aware of the Indonesian laws for taking biological samples out of the country. The squids in question should not be CITES listed, so that should not be an issue.
Please click on this blue text to return to Flying Squid page