Five members of Ornamental Fish International (OFI) have evaluated themselves through OFI’s Code of Conduct, which is the trade association’s voluntary certification program. The companies include Kerala Aqua Ventures International (India), Qian Hu Fish Farm Trading (Singapore), Bassleer Biofish (Belgium), Greeny Aquaculture (Malaysia) and Promotora Bama (Spain).

OFI describes the Code of Conduct as a first step toward a quality assurance system. OFI members wishing to participate in the program must make a declaration of how far they meet the criteria set forth in the Code of Conduct. Criteria include good husbandry practices, animal welfare, animal health, proper packing, biosecurity, service and transparency.

The maximum percentage a company can receive is 100. The minimum percentage a company must receive to be listed on OFI’s website is 60. Kerala received 100 percent, Qian Hu Fish Farm Trading received 75 percent, Promotora Bama received 74 percent and Bassleer Biofish and Greeny Aquaculture both received 72 percent.

Declarations can be guaranteed by an independent certifying body, the local government’s veterinary authority or a fellow OFI member. The data provided by the companies must be updated or reconfirmed once a year in January. <HOME>