Aquatic trade association OATA has launched a free online tool to help the home aquarium industry make sustainable sourcing decisions when buying fish for their businesses.
The tool is aimed at importers, wholesalers and retailers and takes users through a process to explain how the fish they want to order were sourced and whether they are captive-reared or wild-collected. The aim is to encourage businesses to think about the supply chain as a whole, and to explore previously undiscussed areas with their suppliers.
OATA’s scientific and technical adviser Emily Maunder said: “We would encourage all businesses that buy fish – whether that’s to supply to retailers or retailers themselves – to start using the tool.
“Businesses already do a lot of thinking about what livestock to buy for their businesses but this is a way of codifying that thinking into something that actively demonstrates their decision-making. OATA believes this will be an excellent way for the industry to demonstrate how it is already proactively self-regulating around issues regarding sourcing livestock.
“The tool guides users through questions on supply chains, animal welfare, biosecurity and conservation, taking into account the species, supplier, facilities and customer base. It will provide tailored advice, resources and recommendations, helping businesses assess potential risks and concerns before deciding whether to stock a particular species.”
She added: “The final decision to buy remains with the user unless the species have been subjected to harmful practices opposed by OATA, which include dyed, tattooed or genetically modified fish for example, and these will be flagged.”
The Sustainable Sourcing Tool currently covers both freshwater and marine fish species, and OATA plans to widen the species scope to plants, corals and plants in the future.
The tool can be found OATA’s website.
