Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association (OATA Ltd)

13/11/2025

If your business has joined OATA as a member then you can benefit from our Primary Authority Schemes. But what does that mean? Well, let us explain… 😁😁😁

12/11/2025

Interesting story here from Pet Trade Xtra on a podcast from BIRA on how and why small businesses can protect themselves against cyber crime. You may think you’re too small to worry but don’t!

The podcast is worth a listen and if nothing else then consider the advice on how to protect your business:

💪Implement strong passwords and multi-factor authentication
👀Always do regular system updates
🗣Give staff training on recognising phishing attempts
✍️Create a crisis management document and have it on paper
💻Seek advice from IT specialists
🏅Consider Cyber Essentials certification – this is a Government backed scheme to help businesses

👉Read the story here https://pettradextra.newsweaver.com/Newsletter/165j2aoal461wcn6zx07c0?email=true&lang=en&a=1&p=13647395&t=1952629
👂Listen to the podcast here https://bira.co.uk/resources/high-street-matters-podcast-no-business-to-small/
💻Check out Cyber essentials here https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/cyberessentials/overview

11/11/2025

Check out the latest blog on our website where we outline what OATA had to say on a Government consultation looking at the way it plans to reform CITES/wildlife laws in the UK.

The UK has historically added extra layers to CITES regulations, which inevitably has made it harder and more expensive for businesses to import CITES species, like fish and corals.

So we’ve had plenty to say about lifting that bureaucracy, because it doesn’t always add any extra conservation protection – and it will support the Government’s own aims to help business.

Read more here. 👉👉👉https://ornamentalfish.org/proposals-to-update-uk-wildlife-trade-controls-oata-responds-for-the-industry/

11/11/2025

Check out the latest blog on our website where we outline what OATA had to say on a Government consultation looking at the way it plans to reform CITES/wildlife laws in the UK.

The UK has historically added extra layers to CITES regulations, which inevitably has made it harder and more expensive for businesses to import CITES species, like fish and corals.

So we’ve had plenty to say about lifting that bureaucracy, because it doesn’t always add any extra conservation protection – and it will support the Government’s own aims to help business.

Read more here. 👉👉👉

What’s happening? DEFRA recently launched a public consultation looking at ways it could reform how it implements CITES regulations governing wildlife imports. This has a significant impact on UK businesses, both in trying to meet paperwork requirements and paying the subsequent fees. Why now? Thi...

06/11/2025

📜 Train with the best!
Our City & Guilds–accredited training programmes, designed by industry experts, help your business meet local authority requirements for the Animal Activities Licence — and raise your professional standards.
✅ Accredited by City & Guilds
✅ Created by aquatic industry professionals
✅ Recognised by local authorities
🎓 Invest in training that pays back in reputation, compliance, and care.
https://ornamentalfish.org/training/

04/11/2025

We've had a few staff changes in 2025. So we thought we'd introduce our small but mighty team so you can see who's working hard on your behalf!

23/10/2025

We are very pleased to welcome our new Scientific Support Officer Leigh-Marie Hobday to the team!

Leigh joins us from The Coral Centre where she was Operations & Propagation Manager. And before that she worked as a marine taxonomist studying the health of UK waters.

She studied at the University of Portsmouth where she gained both a BSc in Marine Environmental Science and a Masters in Applied Aquatic Biology.

Leigh said: “This will be a great opportunity to use my previous experience to become a voice for an industry that has been a part of my personal and working life for a long time now. I’m excited to work alongside a fantastic team of people and contribute towards the longevity of the trade.

“This is something very close to my heart because I’ve been a fish keeper since I was eight years old and, more recently a reptile keeper. I currently have a planted Betta fish tank (he’s named Blu), an axolotl tank (he’s named Nahuatl) and a nano reef tank with a pair of Clownfish (Jim & Pam), a single Yellow Watchman Goby (Toby) and a Firefish named Angela.”

In her spare time, Leigh shares her love of marine life by volunteering with marine conservation charities, helping with beach cleanups and giving community talks on ocean life.

22/10/2025

We’ve put together this explainer video in case you are thinking now is the time to invest in staff training as animal activity licensing comes around again.

Our City and Guilds accredited Foundation and Advanced training programmes are perfect for helping your business meet licensing requirements to train staff in the species they sell.

The training will help improve staff knowledge and contribute to your business being seen as a trusted resource for your customers.

Don't forget - OATA member businesses get a discount on fees!

Find out more about the training here.

https://ornamentalfish.org/training/

15/10/2025

What’s irritating about this story is that the headline so many publications are using comes from the original press release from the University of Sydney (see below). The research makes it clear it’s talking about marine fish, not all aquarium fish.

The vast majority of tropical fish kept in aquariums are freshwater and these are mainly captive reared so of course almost all aquarium fish kept in the US are NOT from the wild.

OATA has been in touch with the lead researcher to ask him to correct it. You would hope that he – and indeed the University - would value accuracy as a scientist.

Research by Dr Bing Lin in the School of Geosciences has raised alarm bells about where most aquarium fish originate. He calls for stronger traceability and regulatory oversight to ensure that fish are sourced responsibly.

10/10/2025

Are you supporting SHOAL’s Save Denise’s Friends to save the popular home aquarium favourite the Denison Barb? It’s part of its SOS campaign fighting for endangered freshwater fishes across the globe and we’d love you to share information and support the campaign in your business.

“You know how hard it can be to keep fish but also how thrilling. It’s a spiritual experience. But in order to do so we need spirituality back home in Denises’s own place and for that we need your support.”

Find out more about the campaign here. https://shoalconservation.org/denisons-barb-film/

https://youtu.be/rgoLx0lqeYU?si=K3mfRB1xbA1apAZ_

The Denison’s barb a popular aquarium fish, but the species' wild home in India is under threat. Together we can stop the fish going extinct.

09/10/2025

Good biosecurity is good for business! Here’s why you should check out our handy online self-assessment tool on our website to help you identify areas that need some work in your business.

https://ornamentalfish.org/what-we-do/set-standards/biosecurity/

08/10/2025

Animal activity licensing inspections are approaching! Have you downloaded our QR codes to use near shop tanks that give your customers access to species-specific caresheets? It’s a great way to show your local authority inspector you’re satisfying that requirement of the license.
https://ornamentalfish.org/what-we-do/advice-information/care-sheets/