|
Welcome to Ornamental Fish International's Web Site
Ornamental Fish International (OFI), founded on 1 June 1980, is the worldwide trade association representing all sectors of the ornamental aquatic industry in some 46 different countries worldwide. 
Membership ranges over consultants, manufacturers, publishers, wholesalers, collectors, breeders, retailers, importers, exporters, plant specialists, freight forwarders, airlines and exhibition companies. The over 190 OFI members have all made a commitment to comply with the OFI Code of Ethics. As a result OFI members have obtained a reputation of reliable business partners, and suppliers of quality products.
|
OFI Training 2012
For many years OFI has been asked to organize trainings for the ornamental fish industry. Now we are planning to do this from 17-20 September 2012, in Singapore. The training will consist of practical training in recognition of fish diseases, microscopy, theory and practice of biosecurity and animal welfare. It also includes collection from the wild.
This training is unique! It cannot be compared with any other training or course. The training will be given by best experts in the world, each with many years of practical training themselves and also with many years of experience in trainings.
Do you want to be up-to-date: participate! Does your staff in the fish-house deserve something extra: send them to this training and benefit from it yourself when they come back!
More information and registration!
OFI Award 2011 for Aquarama
With the OFI Award of 2011 Ornamental Fish International (OFI) honors UBM Asia Trade fairs, the organiser of Aquarama.
The organiser of Aquarama always had a heart for this industry, promoting it in the best possib le way. Trade seminars, hobby seminars, fish competitions, farm visits, they all have contributed to the popularisation of the industry. This was over the years further promoted by a huge stakeholder involvement.
At the official opening of Aquarama, on 26 May 2011, OFI President Gerald Bassleer presented the OFI Award 2011 to the Vice President of UBM Asia, Mr. Chris Eve.
NEW OFI BOOK ON STANDARD NAMES
Standard names
for marine fishes, crustaceans and mollusks in the Ornam ental Aquatic Industry. OFI Educational
series 6
In 128 pages the
proper scientific names for over 4000 fish, crustacean and mollusk species are
listed, together with hard corals, soft corals, sea anemones, sea stars, brittle
stars, sea urchins and sea cucumbers. S ustainable collection of marine
organisms for the aquarium trade is discussed. The new OFI web application for
creating EU health certificates is introduced and explained. Over 75 aquatic
animals are pictured. Authors of this book are Roberto Hensen, Alex Ploeg and
Gayatri Lilley.
ISBN:
978-90-75352-91-7Price: 12,95
Euros plus postage through the OFI website, and 7,95 Euro at trade fairs.
MODERN PET CENTRE (INDIA) DECLARES QUALITY 
Another OFI member, Modern Pet Centre in India has now declared its expertise by filling in the OFI Code of Conduct.
The OFI Code of conduct is a voluntary certification scheme in which the
percentage is a scale indication of the demands in the scheme met by the
company. Criteria deal with good husbandry practices, animal welfare, animal
health, proper packing, bio-security, good service and transparency.
OFI publications
OFI Journal
The OFI Journal is the official publication of Ornamental Fish
International. It has in-depth, topical, articles about the ornamental industry by
authors within the field. The OFI Journal is free to all OFI members. Non-members may subscribe to
the Journal.
Subscriptions run per calendar year (3 issues) and are automatically
renewed unless unsubscribed. Cost per year, incl. postage: 55 Euro.
Back issues are also available for most issues of the OFI Journals.
OFI educational publications
OFI aims to improve the educational standard within the industry and
therefore publishes a series of books with relevant topics for all who have to
deal with the occupational aspects of the trade. Titles available:
- Standard names for marine fishes, crustaceans and mollusks in the Ornamental Aquatic Industry (2011)
- Standard names for freshwater fishes in the Ornamental Aquatic Industry (2010).
- Biosecurity in the
Ornamental Aquatic Industry (2009).
- Live food cultures for the
Ornamental Aquatic Industry (2008).
- International Transport of Live
Fish in the Ornamental Aquatic Industry (2007).
- Water Quality in the Ornamental
Aquatic Industry (2006).
Please go to our shop for more information and ordering.
|
Poll October 2011
How often did you release ornamental fish to the wild in the past year?
NEWS FLASHES
DELAY EUS IMPORT MEASURES EUROPEAN UNION
At the October meeting of the Permanent Veterinary Committee on Animal Health the committe adopted a Commission Regulation amending the date of introduction of import legislation with respect to EUS from 31-12-2010 to 31-12-2012. This means that also in the coming two years the EU will NOT demand disease freedom of EUS for species susceptible to EUS.
Read more
AUSTRALIA TO RESTRICT IMPORTS?
To reduce the risk on imports of certain iridovirusses, the Australian government is in the process for developing legislation to address these risks. In July a report was published which can be downloaded here.
Main recommendation: restrict imports from disease free countries only, or start batch testing of all poecilids, gouramis and cichlids, which enter Australia. This is about 67% of all Australian imports!
Read more
ENGLAND AND WALES GO FOR KHV STATUS “INFECTED”
The competent authority of the United Kingdom, Defra, has informed the stakeholders as follows:
“Following a lengthy consultation exercise and evaluation of the possible benefits and likelihood of success, it has been concluded an eradication programme will not be undertaken for KHV disease in England and Wales.
Read more
Again new EU Health Certificates
To make you all very happy: the new EU certificates can now be downloaded from the OFI website. Changes are minor and relate to SVC. The certificates may be used as from 15 May 2010 and until 31 July the old certificates may still be used. After this date only the new ones are allowed. Certificates in all languages (for OFI members only)
Catch certificates for marine shrimps
The former DG FISH, now DG MARE, dealing with fisheries in the EU, has introduced new legislation on import of marine fishery products into the EU. The scope of the legislation also covers marine crustaceans and several mollusks. Contacts between OFI and DG Mare have made clear that this was not the aim of the legislation and DG Mare will correct this a.s.a.p.
CITES will not split up arowana
The CITES Conference of the Parties has decided in March that Asian Arowana
may continue to be declared as Scleropages formosus. A proposal to adopt a literature reference splitting up the species into four separate species was not adopted after interventions of Singapore, Indonesia, Japan and OFI.
Report of OFI Conference on Invasive Alien Species
The report on the OFI Conference on Invasive Alien Species on 30 May 2009 is now available on the OFI website. It can be found on the page dedicated to the IAS. Read more.
Checklist Colombian Freshwater Species
Scientists Javier A. Maldonado-Ocampo, Richard
P. Vari and José Saulo Usma published a checklist of the 1435 Colombian
freshwater fishes.Read more.
EFSA Opinion on susceptible species
The
European Food Safety Authority has evaluated the species susceptible to
the diseases listed in the EU Aquatic Health Directive 2006/88 and has
made a recommendation. Especially for Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome
this differs considerably from the present EU list of susceptible
species. Read more.
Invasive Alien Species
Invasive
alien species may cause great damage to biodiversity, economy and human
health. The ornamental aquatic industry is one of the potential
pathways for Invasive Alien Species. Read more.
+++++++++++++++++
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Click for making payments to OFI 