A scientific and objective sound exposure criterion for underwater sound damage on fish has been required since there has been many disputes between an underwater sound maker and a fish damage receiver. The existing criteria are still incomplete scientifically owing to a degree of variability of underwater sounds, diversity of fish hearing sensitivity and damage types, etc. This study reviews existing studies on a hearing mechanism of fish species, manmade underwater sound characteristics and sound exposure assessment parameters, and recent sound exposure criteria. A governing equation for damage coverage estimation and damage coverage dependency on sound source level, ambient noise and transmission loss are also reviewed and interpreted based on sound exposure environments. The foreign and Korean (National Environmental Dispute Medication Commission) criteria are reviewed and compared based on scientific aspects. In addition, the deficit and limit of Korean criteria are presented. The objective of this study is to give a direction for related researches and legislation of sound exposure criteria on fish.