OATA - The Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association - The Voice of the Orn...

Who doesn’t love watching their fish? It’s mesmerising – and we know it’s good for our mental health. But now you can turn those observations into citizen science with a new initiative from the University of Glasgow.
It’s just launched ShoalBase, a global, open database of fish social behaviour. It aims is to bring together observations of how fish live socially (schooling, shoaling, pairing, territoriality, group sizes, parental care, etc.), across as many species...

If your business is a member of OATA – whether you join today or renew – you have access to our new benefits for 2026!
Quarterly webinar programme
We’re very excited to launch a quarterly webinar programme for members this year. These will be held online for you to join live or catch up later because we’ll record each one and make it available in the Members’ Area....

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has published comprehensive guidance to help businesses understand the rules for advertising products used in, on or near animals that are not licensed veterinary medicines.
The law has not changed. The guidance just clarifies existing regulations and responds to questions from businesses about what they can and cannot claim for non-medicinal products....

Two new directors were welcomed to the OATA Board at the trade association’s Annual General Meeting held on 14 January.
Kevin Barton, of ALF Aquatic Distribution Ltd, has returned to the Board after a few years away, and the Revd David Walker, of Birley Moor Aquatics Centre in Sheffield, also joins the 14 other voluntary Directors who make up the OATA Board....