INVITATION TO BECOME A MEMBER
OFI was set up officially at a General Assembly held in Rome, Italy, on 1 June 1980. It has become a worldwide organisation representing wholesalers, importers, exporters, manufacturers, breeders and other members of the ornamental fish, water plant, food and aquatic equipment industries. Member companies of the organisation produce and distribute a wide range of products for the international and home markets, offering a complete service to both the trade and hobbyist.

OUR TARGETS
The following list contains some of the main targets which Ornamental Fish International strives to achieve (summarised within our Mission Statement).

• To represent the international aquarium industry as a strong, dynamic and influential body.
• To raise general business and technical standards in the organisation through the creation of an environment in which business can be discussed by OFI members to the mutual benefit of the entire industry.
• To ensure that the views of the members are made known to international governments and other influential bodies or institutions.
• To ensure that OFI, which exclusively represents the international aquatic industry, enjoys a wide awareness of its activities among target groups.
• To ensure that members attain the highest standard of care and welfare for the fishes they handle throughout the OFI "Chain". OFI also strives to ensure the conservation of species.
• To support, protect and further the interests of the aquatic industry.
• To protect the image and interests of the industry from unscrupulous or damaging activities of members or non-members.
• To attempt to keep OFI members fully informed of data and information relating directly or indirectly to the industry.
• To sustain the OFI objective of improving the standards of fish importation, and ensuring that members abide by the OFI Code of Ethics.
• To promote the hobby of fishkeeping throughout the world.
• To ensure that all fish handled by OFI members are subject to the regulations laid down in the OFI Code of Ethics.
• To encourage importers and exporters to conduct specialist research into the most efficient and humane methods of transporting live fish, both nationally and internationally.

OFI AT WORK
In order to achieve these aims, OFI organises meetings around, Aquarama in Singapore and Interzoo in Germany, the major events in our industry. At these times the Annual General Meeting, a Fish health Seminar, a reception during which the OFI Award is presented and an OFI book is launched are held within Singapore  an OFI dinner.  These activities are  the perfect opportunity to meet colleagues from all parts of the world, exchange ideas and develop new business contactsAs an advisor to IATA, and other international bodies OFI has often been called upon to provide expert opinion on the international movement of ornamental fish and aquatic plants As an observer to CITES meetings OFI is able to represent the views of the industry and influence delegates. In Europe OFI is an accepted stakeholder in discussion on fish health, animal welfare and the European implementation of CITES issues. On the publication front, OFI produces its own magazine, the OFI Journal - with three issues per year. The magazine is distributed to all members, as well as to a large number of trade bodies and media. This helps to keep members informed about the latest developments concerning our industry, and spreads the news of our aims and activities far beyond the borders of the organisation itself. Our electronical (via e-mail) Members' Updates are issued when necessary, often several times per month, and distributed exclusively to members. These bulletins deal primarily with matters of "internal" interest to our members and often includes requests for feedback on important issues affecting, both our membership, and the international aquatic industry. OFI  also publishes each year a book in the OFI Educational Series, free for members and for sale to non-members.

JOINING
As from the 1st of January 2008 the new Domestic Regulation of OFI has entered into force. One of the consequences is that all parties  who want to join OFI will initially be welcomed as a Candidate member. The Annual General Meeting will have to approve all new candidate members of OFI before they become full members. This measure has been introduced to ensure the quality of the OFI membership. Reasons not to accept a candidate member are well described in the domestic regulations.Current subscription rate (renewable on 1 January of each year) is  650.00 Euro, however, in 2007 the members of OFI have decided on the introduction of system for support for members in low income countries. This support is given in the form of a discount on the subscription fee for countries based on the Purchasing Power Parity (Worldbank) per country (right column). For 2009 the Executive Board decided for the following reduced fees:

30% Discount for countries with a PPP below 1000 US$ (subscription fee: 455 Euro. Countries involved e.g.: Congo, Burundi, Malawi.

25% Discount for countries with a PPP below 3000 US$ (subscription fee: 487.50 Euro. Countries involved e.g.: Nigeria, India.

20% Discount for countries with a PPP below 4000 US$ (subscription fee: 520 Euro. Countries involved e.g.: Indonesia.

15% Discount for countries with a PPP below 6000 US$ (subscription fee: 552.50 Euro. Countries involved e.g.: Sri Lanka, China.

10% Discount for countries with a PPP below 8000 US$ (subscription fee: 585 Euro. Countries involved e.g.: Colombia, Peru, Thailand.

If you would like to join OFI, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please click here to go to the application form on our payment page. Upon acceptance of your application, your company's details will be entered in our Members' Directory, which is published in every May issue of the Journal and on our web site; contact details will also appear in the next Members' Update that is published.

We look forward to hearing from you and assure you of a warm welcome to OFI.