Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association (OATA Ltd)

Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association (OATA Ltd) www.ornamentalfish.org
The Voice of the Ornamental Aquatics Industry in the UK

Our next exclusive Member webinar is coming up in June so OATA members need to make sure you have it in your diary. Mond...
12/06/2026

Our next exclusive Member webinar is coming up in June so OATA members need to make sure you have it in your diary.

Monday 22 June 2pm to 3pm - From Paperwork to Practice: How to ace your Animal Activity Licence inspection.

Here's what to expect: we’ll have a licensing inspector to give you advice and information, from a local authority’s point of view, to help you prepare for your next inspection. Got a particular issue or question you want answered? Drop it in the comments or email [email protected]. Then we'll hear from our Primary Authority partner the City of London Corporation who will explain how this could help you. And we’ll be on hand to take you through how OATA can support you to meet licensing conditions as well.

Zoom links have already been sent out - and we'll resend on the morning - so check your email inbox! Can't make it? Have no fear - we'll be recording the session for you to catch up at a time that’s convenient to you!

All part of the special benefits for OATA members!

Have you signed the Protect Your Pets from Positive Lists petition? If not, then please get on it! We are so near to ove...
10/06/2026

Have you signed the Protect Your Pets from Positive Lists petition? If not, then please get on it! We are so near to overtaking the Don't Pet Me campaign's petition and it would be so great to show the depth of feeling about this!

Please sign and share about the petition - let's see how well we can do!

https://responsiblereptilekeeping.org/positive-list-petition

Look what came through the post! Hat tip to OATA member business Johnson's Veterinary Products for this great report sur...
09/06/2026

Look what came through the post! Hat tip to OATA member business Johnson's Veterinary Products for this great report surveying pet owners’ attitudes towards independent pet shops.

This is the second year of the report so it’s building up some great statistics that we will find useful in our work shouting about how great pet shops that sell fish are. It’s part of the company’s work creating National Pet Shop Day (happening this year on Saturday 11 July) which is shining a light on the great work being done by pet retailers.

Stats that caught our eye:

46% of those surveyed cited quality as the most influential thing in purchasing decisions, closely followed by cost (45%) then trust (39%)

“That tells us pet owners are not simply defaulting to the cheapest option. They are making considered choices and prioritising effectiveness and reliability.”

23% described independent pet shops as knowledgeable with 21% saying independents care more for them and their pets than bigger stores. But 26% have never visited an independent pet shop.

“This is an opportunity… you cannot trust what you have never experienced. Getting customers through the door for the first time is half the battle: the knowledge and care that independent retailers provide can do the rest.”

And that’s where National Pet Shop Day comes in! We’re very pleased to be a sponsor for this initiative in 2026 and we think specialist aquatic retailers should be using Saturday 11 July as a great hook for their local communities to come through their doors to experience the wonderful world of fish-keeping!

The report is well worth a read and make sure your shop is signed up to take part on Saturday 11 July. There’s a great PR toolkit on the National Pet Shop Day website to help you do that. Both links are in the comments.

08/06/2026

Our next exclusive Member webinar is coming up in June so make sure you have it in your diary!

Monday 22 June 2pm to 3pm
From Paperwork to Practice: How to ace your Animal Activity Licence inspection. We’ll be joined by a licensing inspector to give you advice and information, from a local authority’s point of view, to help you prepare for your next inspection. If there’s a particular issue/question you want answered then drop us an email at [email protected] or put it in the comments section below.

We’ll also have the City of London Corporation, our Primary Authority Partner, to help explain how this could help you. And we’ll be on hand take you through how OATA can support you to meet licensing conditions as well.

Watch your inbox for your Zoom link and if you can’t make it on the day then we will record the session for you to catch up at a time that’s convenient to you!

04/06/2026

This short video gives you a quick glimpse at some of the documents we produce to take to events or send to politicians to explain the role fish play within the pet industry, the benefits they bring, and the importance of supporting responsible fishkeeping.

Being the ‘voice’ of the industry to one of the most important roles OATA plays so make sure you check out the full video on YouTube – along with the other videos we’ve produced to show what we’re doing on your behalf.

04/06/2026

A big part of OATA’s work happens away from the public eye — helping politicians and policymakers better understand the ornamental aquatic industry.

Today’s video looks at some of the leaflets, flyers and briefing documents we’ve created to explain the role fish play within the pet industry, the benefits they bring, and the importance of supporting responsible fishkeeping.

These materials are an important tool in helping decision-makers understand our industry and the positive impact it has on both people and animals.

If you've missed our first two videos looking at our industry reports and best practice documents we produce to help you work to high standards in your business then definitely head over to our YouTube channel!

03/06/2026

This is another one of our videos highlighting the work we do on your behalf. This time we’re looking at how OATA can help businesses work to high standards and gives a quick glimpse of some of the best practice documents we’ve created to help you do that. Check out the longer video which explains more about what we have to offer to help you on our YouTube channel.

03/06/2026

Behind the scenes, OATA works hard to support businesses across the industry with practical best practice guidance.

From biosecurity and water quality to responsible retailing and industry standards, these documents are designed to help businesses operate confidently and to the highest possible standards.

In today’s video, we’re highlighting some of the guidance we’ve created and why it’s so important for the industry.

Why not explore the full range of resources on our website and see how your business measures up?

02/06/2026

This week on Facebook, we're sharing some videos giving you a quick glimpse into a range of the documents and resources we produce on your behalf. First up is a closer look at two of OATA’s industry reports — Wild Caught Fish: the trade, the benefits, the facts and Fishing for Facts: An introduction to the UK ornamental fish industry.

These glossy publications, which we've handed out to politicians, officials and at global meetings we attend, are a great example of how OATA works to support the industry with reliable information and positive messaging.

This video gives you just a taste - watch the full one on our YouTube channel for a deeper dive into these two reports.

Address

Westbury

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

01373 301353

Website

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