Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association (OATA Ltd)

02/10/2026

**What makes a great aquatic shop?**

In our latest Member-only webinar, Jeremy Gay shares his thoughts and experience from a career spanning aquatic retail, consultancy, hobby journalism and podcasting.

In this clip, Jeremy shares some simple tips for shops and talks about the value of great staff... how they can help customers achieve a thriving set-up and sell products – that sweet spot that benefits everyone!

OATA members can check out the full webinar in the Members’ Area of our website. Our expert panel, which included Fish Shop Matt, Rob Peck from The Coral Centre, and Alistair Blakeman from Aquadistri UK LTD, covered everything from dry goods and livestock strategy to suppliers, social media and what makes a great aquatic shop.

There was plenty of practical advice — and a few ideas that might make you look at your own shop differently! So check out the webinar now - and if your business is not a member why not join and get this and so many more benefits!

And tell us, what do you think makes a really good aquatic shop?

30/09/2026

🎥 **How can aquatic retailers promote their business using social media?**

In our latest Member-only webinar, we brought together experts from across the aquatic and pet retail industry to share practical ideas on how retailers can improve their businesses. Check out Fish Shop Matt's tip on how to make the most of your social media posts.

It was just one of many insights he shared about using social media to reach customers in our exclusive webinar which OATA members can now find in the Members’ Area of our website. (Check your emails because we've also sent a link there.) There were lots of other topics covered in a wide-ranging discussion, from stocking decisions and livestock strategy to supplier relationships and what successful aquatic shops are doing differently.

This was our third Member-only webinar — and, unsurprisingly, we ran over our allotted hour because there was just so much to talk about! If your business isn’t a member yet, then why not join up today and get access to this and so much more!

So how are you using social media in your shop? What works for you?

And thank you to Fish Shop Matt, along with our other speakers Jeremy Gay, Rob Peck from The Coral Centre and Alistair Blakeman from Aquadistri UK LTD, for giving us their time and expertise. It was much appreciated.

Matthew Bond

28/09/2026

Well, that was a good one! Thank you to our Retail Roundtable Member Webinar speakers Jeremy Gay, Fish Shop Matt, Rob from The Coral Centre and Alistair from Aquadistri UK LTD. It was JAM PACKED with great ideas - so packed we over-ran by about 10 minutes. Just so much to talk about!!

OATA members - watch out for the link or find it in the Catch Up Online section of the Members' Area later this week. You won't want to miss it!

25/09/2026

Have you checked out our Annual Trade Statistics Report which is now available for FREE to OATA member businesses? You’ll find it in the Members’ Area of the OATA website and in it you’ll find the latest trends and insights into the UK’s ornamental aquatic industry.

Among many other things we look at aquatic retail distribution across the UK, great for planning new stores or providing intel to sales forces on the road. This year we also delve into Google Trends for the industry which has given some interesting results! And there’s the usual examination of the UK market and imports for ornamental fish.

If you are not a member you can buy the report as well. Find it on our website.

24/09/2026

We've got some great news about our upcoming Members' Webinar next week. Fish Shop Matt will be joining our panel! It's going to be a jam-packed session so, OATA members, you will not want to miss this one! Make sure you tune in live or watch the catch-up video afterwards.

Alongside Matt, we have Jeremy Gay, whose career spans aquatic retail, consultancy, hobby journalism and podcasting, Aquadistri UK LTD's National Sales Manager Alastair Blakeman who has had a long career in pet industry sales so he knows what works, and Rob Peck, of The Coral Centre, who will talk about how he translates lessons learnt from a career in a large corporate retailer into his independent specialist shop.

23/09/2026

Thanks to our volunteer Board members who joined us today for one of our quarterly meetings. Lots to discuss, including an update on progress from our Chief Executive.

18/09/2026

If you're an OATA member don't forget our third webinar is coming up at the end of September. You should have received your Zoom link in an email so make sure the date is in your diary!

We'll be joined by Jeremy Gay, whose career spans aquatic retail, consultancy, hobby journalism and podcast host, so he brings valuable insights from both industry and the customer, Aquadistri’s National Sales Manager Alastair Blakeman who has had a long career in pet industry sales so he knows what works, and Rob Peck, of Fareham’s The Coral Centre who will talk about how he translates lessons learnt from a career in a large corporate retailer into his independent specialist shop.

And if you can't make it you'll find a recording in the Catch Up Online section of the Members' area on our website.

17/09/2026

Thank you to OFI for inviting our Scientific & Technical Adviser Emily Maunder to share information at this event on our Sustainable Sourcing Tool. An important discussion and great to be part of it. We look forward to the next one!

This week we held our first Global Marine Aquarium Trade Dialogue (GMAT).

For me, the biggest takeaway was just how important it is that we keep talking and working together across industry, science, conservation, government and source countries.

There was plenty of discussion around data and traceability, but also an important reminder that sustainability is about more than fish and reefs — it is also about people, livelihoods and resilient communities.

We probably tried to fit too much into our first session and didn’t leave enough time for discussion. We’ll fix that next time!

GMAT was about starting a conversation. I think we achieved that, and I’m looking forward to seeing where we take it next.

A big thank you to everyone who participated and contributed, a more detailed report will be sent to OFI members and GMAT participants soo . 🌊🐠

10/09/2026

Our third OATA member webinar is coming up at the end of September! Join us to hear some great insights from the panel discussion we’re planning on actionable ideas and strategies for thriving in today’s retail landscape.

Our speakers include Jeremy Gay, whose career spans aquatic retail, consultancy, hobby journalism and podcast host, so he brings valuable insights from both industry and the customer, Aquadistri’s National Sales Manager Alastair Blakeman who has had a long career in pet industry sales so he knows what works, and Rob Peck, of Fareham’s The Coral Centre, who will talk about how he translates lessons learnt from a career in a large corporate retailer into his independent specialist shop.

Put Monday 28 September 2pm in your diary – and if you can’t make it then you’ll find a recording in the Catch Up Online section of the Members’ Area a few days afterwards.