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ORNAMENTAL AQUATIC TRADE ASSOCIATION (OATA) RECOMMENDATIONS AND POINT OF SALE MATERIALS 1991 - 2008 VERSION 2 O r n a m e n t a l Aquatic Trade Association (OATA) www.ornamentalfish.org V e r s i o n 2 – M a y 2 0 0 8 CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 3 MODIFIED FISH 4 GM Fish 4 Dyed and Painted Fish 4 CORALS 6 Retailing Hard Corals 6 GLASS AQUARIA 7 Aquarium Code of Conduct 7 INVASIVE SPECIES 8 Invasive Fish 8 Invasive Plants 8 WELFARE AND DISEASE 10 Minimum Aquarium Sizes 10 Beware Big Fish 11 Siamese Fighting Fish 12 Tropical Fish in Unheated Aquaria 12 Holiday Tips from OATA Retailers 12 Fairs and Shows: Fish as Prizes 13 Abandonment 13 Acclimatising your Fish 14 KHV 16 SAFETY 19 Pond Safety 19 Zoonoses 22 EUTHANASIA 26 CLINCIAL WASTE 26 Disposal of Clinical Waste 27 MISCELLANEOUS 29 CODE OF CONDUCT 39 WATER QUALITY CRITERIA 65 Explanatory material Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association (OATA) www.ornamentalfish.org V e r s i o n 2 – M a y 2 0 0 8 INTRODUCTION Our Code of Conduct which was formally approved by our AGM in 1992 has since received wide acceptance. Evidence for this is clear from the fact that Local Government used parts of it, especially the “Water Quality criteria” as a basis for their “Standard Licence Conditions” document first published in 1992. The Water Quality survived rigorous appraisal and reappeared in the revised document published in 1998. Since the adoption of the Code of Conduct OATA has issued a number of recommendations and other documents relevant to fish welfare and other aspects of the industry. In this document we have consolidated as many as possible of the most significant of these and given and indication of the date of when the recommendation was first made and when it was revised. We have not attempted to include all of the briefing notes though we have made exceptions for those on Zoonoses and Euthanasia. Within the Code of conduct are sections that are subject to regular legal review. For instance the air transport conditions labelling requirements are reviewed annually. For the latest legal requirements reference should be made to the latest relevant OATA briefing document or advise sought from the office. It is also likely that there will be significant changes to the legislation concerning animal welfare in the UK over the next couple of years. We have included various point of sale materials that have been printed. O r n a m e n t a l Aquatic Trade Association (OATA) www.ornamentalfish.org V e r s i o n 2 – M a y 2 0 0 8 MODIFIED FISH GM FISH Issued 2001 If you ever thought our industry could escape public scrutiny then the interest shown in GM ornamental fish over the last year, gives a lie to that perception. Broadsheets such as The Telegraph, New Scientist, the popular scientific magazine, a radio station in Washington DC and a researcher for the Discovery TV channel, are among those who have contacted the office to discuss the issues raised by the introduction of this technology into the industry. OATA has made it clear, including publication of a letter in New Scientist, that it does not believe this technology has a place in the industry. Issued 2003 LEGAL REQUIREMENTS TO IMPORT GM ORNAMENTAL FISH TO THE UK We understand that approaches have been made recently to importers in the UK offering genetically modified ornamental fish. To legally import these fish the following conditions must be met: European Directive 2001/18 governs the release and marketing of GMOs in the European Union. It provides for proposed releases of GMOs to be considered very carefully on a case by case basis, underpinned by a detailed risk assessment In Great Britain, the Directive is implemented by Part VI of the Environmental Protection Act and (in England) Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) 2002. (Similar regulations have been implemented in Scotland and Wales). This legislation has the stated purpose "of ensuring that all appropriate measures are taken to avoid damage to the environment which may arise from the escape or release from human control of genetically modified organisms." The import and release of live GM fish would therefore require consent under Directive 2001/18. For commercial import (as opposed to for research), this would require collective EU agreement based on an assessment of the risk to human health and the environment. The information needed to consider the release of GM fish would include, as with all releases, the specifics of the genetic modification, the effect of the genetic modification on the fish and details of the breeding system (including the possibility of interbreeding with the wild population). The Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE) would also consider if there were any novel questions that should be asked. Each application would be considered on a case by case basis. Thus import of these fish is not a straightforward issue and anyone wishing to do so should carefully acquaint themselves with the pieces of legislation mentioned above. This legislation does not include varieties produced by selective breeding. OATA has previously stated that it feels that “GM ornamental fish are an unwelcome addition to the market place”. Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association (OATA) www.ornamentalfish.org V e r s i o n 2 – M a y 2 0 0 8 DYED AND PAINTED FISH Issued 1993 The techniques to paint or dye fish have been shown to increase the susceptibility of individual fish to the viral disease lymphocystis. Thus OATA recommends that members do not trade in fish treated in this manner. O r n a m e n t a l Aquatic Trade Association (OATA) www.ornamentalfish.org V e r s i o n 2 – M a y 2 0 0 8 CORALS RETAILING HARD CORALS Issued 1991 and updated regularly since The importation of hard corals without the necessary permits is illegal. If caught offering illegally imported animals for sale the consequences for the retailer might include: forfeit of the animals concerned; court action; review and possible withdrawal of your pet shop licence by the local authority. It must be noted that ignorance is no defence in court. It is for each retailer to ensure the animals purchased by them have been imported legally. NB - Since this note was produced it has become clear that ownership of illegally imported corals is a “continuing offence”. That is illegally imported corals do not miraculously become legal once sold by the company that smuggled them into the EU. For fully up to date information about which species may be subject to trade controls in addition to CITES please visit www.unep-wcmc.org and follow the link to species. Information Issued several times from 2001 – 2005 Members are reminded that live rock may be imported without CITES documents. However each member contemplating importing live rock should ensure that they know exactly what the UK authorities will accept. Members are recommended to read the report by Newcastle University entitled “Distinguishing fossilized and non fossilized corals in international trade” – www.ukcites.gov.uk/pdf_files/full_text_pics_pdf. GLASS AQUARIA AQUARIUM CODE OF CONDUCT Issued 1993 A Code of Conduct for “Aquarium Manufacture and Sale” has been developed. The intention to do this was announced in last November’s Newsletter. To satisfy the Code, aquaria from a manufacturers range will be subject to a series of tests by an independent laboratory. These will include: a finger sharpness test - most injuries involving aquaria are cuts. This test will ensure the method of manufacture is such that the public are unlikely to cut themselves on new aquaria; aquaria will be subject to double working pressure for 24 hours; impact tests. Additionally the Code includes items on the inspection, cleaning and gluing of glass. Further every aquaria will contain full installation instructions. A logo is being considered at the moment so that manufacturers aquaria fulfilling the conditions of the Code may carry a mark signifying their quality. Further details are available from the office for manufacturers wishing to apply the Code. Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association (OATA) www.ornamentalfish.org V e r s i o n 2 – M a y 2 0 0 8 INVASIVE SPECIES INVASIVE FISH General CONTROLS ON THE KEEPING OR RELEASE OF NON-NATIVE FISH IN ENGLAND AND WALES ILFA (Import of Live Fish Act) application forms and further information may be obtained from: For sites in England: DEFRA Fish IIB, Room 308, Nobel House 17 Smith Square London SWIP3JR Tel: 0171 2385931 Fax: 0171 2385938 For sites in Wales: Welsh Office Agriculture Department: Cathays Park Cardiff CFI 3NQ Tel: 01222 825451 Fax: 01222 823 562 Information on import requirements can be obtained from CEFAS, Weymouth (01305 206673/74). The confidential CEFAS Hotline number in relation to possible illegal imports is 01305206681. General enquiries may also be addressed to your local Environment Agency office. If you are unsure who to contact, or which is your local office, please call the general enquiry line: 0645 333 111. You can also visit www.efishbusiness.co.uk for controls on non-native species. INVASIVE PLANTS Issued 2003 For a number of years concern has been expressed by government agencies, conservation and consumer groups that some pond plants we sell, as an industry, are causing problems in the countryside. These have been given higher profile by a series of items in both local and national newspapers. It is impossible to argue that these problems do not exist. The extent of the problem may have been overstated, but that there is a problem cannot be doubted.

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