Svein A. Fosså is an ichthyologist, eager aquarist since childhood, and a leading international voice for responsible and sustainable practices in the ornamental aquatic trade. He got his first fish tank at the age of nine, and has gathered extensive experience in both freshwater and marine aquarium keeping.

Svein has worked for and with the ornamental aquatic trade since 1986. In 1992 he started his own business as an independent author and advisor on aquarium technique, ichthyology, and ornamental aquatic trade policies and legislation worldwide.

Svein lectures regularly in many countries, and has authored and co-authored more than 300 articles, reports and other publications, including several internationally acclaimed books on marine aquarium keeping.

Besides commissions for companies and institutions, Svein is currently Secretary General of the Norwegian Pet Trade Association (NZB), co-organizer of the Norwegian ZooExpo trade shows, co-editor of the pet trade magazine PetScandinavia, secretary of the Scandinavian Pet Trade Union (SPTU), and a member of the boards of the Marine Aquarium Council (MAC) and Ornamental Fish International (OFI). In May 2008 he was elected President of the European Pet Organization (EPO).
In recent years, Svein has spent much time on ethical and animal health issues related to the trade in live companion animals in general, and the ornamental aquatic trade in particular. He has also been studying “man-made” ornamental fishes, produced by selective breeding, genetic engineering and physical manipulation. He is Ornamental Fish International's official delegate on meetings relating to CITES, CBD and other matters on nature management and conservation. Svein, aged 49, was born and raised in Norway, where he continues to live with wife and two children, in the small coastal town of Grimstad.