The UK fishkeeping hobby, aquatic trade, and responsible pet ownership community are facing a serious threat from proposed ‘positive list’ legislation.

A ‘positive list’, would only allow animal species that appear on a government-approved list to be legally kept, sold, bred, or traded.

While this approach is often promoted as a way to improve animal welfare, many experts within the aquatic industry believe it could have the opposite effect.

The Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association (OATA) has stated that a positive list approach would be ‘extremely damaging for pet fish, keepers and the trade in the UK’ and that there is currently no clear evidence to show these lists improve welfare outcomes. According to OATA, similar systems risk creating new welfare problems rather than solving existing ones.

What could ‘positive lists’ mean for fishkeepers?

At present, no final species list exists in the UK. However, organisations campaigning for positive lists have publicly stated ambitions to reduce the number of species permitted across the entire pet trade to as few as 20 to 30 species.

For fishkeepers, this could mean:

  • Huge restrictions on the range of fish and aquatic species that can legally be kept
  • Loss of many responsibly kept species that have been part of the hobby for decades
  • Reduced access to specialist knowledge, equipment, and support
  • Major disruption for aquatic retailers, breeders, and suppliers

Many commonly kept aquarium species could potentially be excluded, not because they are dangerous or unsuitable, but because insufficient data exists to satisfy regulatory requirements.

This is especially concerning in fishkeeping because many species have very similar care and husbandry requirements. A lack of species-specific paperwork does not automatically mean a species is unsuitable to keep responsibly.

Why many in the industry oppose ‘positive lists’

OATA and many aquatic businesses believe positive lists would fail to deliver the benefits supporters claim.

Concerns around animal welfare

There is concern that restricting legal ownership could create serious unintended welfare issues.

If species are removed from permitted lists:

  • Owners may struggle to rehome animals legally
  • Specialist support networks could disappear
  • Responsible breeders may stop operating
  • Animals could end up abandoned or traded illegally

Countries that have attempted similar systems have already reported welfare concerns linked to restrictions and confusion around permitted species.

Risk of illegal and unregulated trade

Overly restrictive systems can drive demand underground.

Instead of supporting responsible retailers and regulated businesses, strict positive lists may encourage illegal imports and unregulated private sales where welfare standards are harder to monitor and enforce.

Threat to UK aquatic businesses

The UK aquatic industry supports thousands of livelihoods, from local fish shops and specialist retailers to breeders, suppliers, manufacturers, and wholesalers.

For businesses like Maidenhead Aquatics, the introduction of positive lists could have serious consequences both financially and operationally.

Potential impacts could include:

  • Significant loss of legally sellable species
  • Increased licensing and compliance costs
  • Additional administrative burdens throughout the supply chain
  • Reduced customer choice
  • Reduced viability for specialist stores

Depending on how restrictive any future list becomes, OATA has warned the consequences could be existential for some aquatic businesses and the people who depend on them.

Why awareness matters

OATA is encouraging both hobbyists and businesses to help raise awareness now.

The current campaign has two key goals:

  • Encourage pet keepers and businesses to sign the ‘Protect Your Pets - Say No to Harmful Positive Lists’ petition
  • Encourage individuals and businesses in Scotland and Wales to raise concerns with representatives in the Scottish Parliament and Senedd

According to OATA, public support is extremely important when speaking with politicians and government officials because it demonstrates how many people could be negatively affected by the proposed measures.

Supporting responsible fishkeeping

Responsible fishkeeping already depends on:

  • Education
  • Proper husbandry
  • Ethical sourcing
  • Specialist retailer support
  • Long-term care guidance

Many in the industry believe these areas are far more effective at improving welfare than blanket restrictions on species ownership.

Fishkeeping also plays an important role in:

  • Inspiring interest in aquatic ecosystems
  • Supporting conservation breeding projects
  • Educating future generations about biodiversity and animal care

The concern from the aquatic sector is not about avoiding regulation. It is about ensuring any future legislation is practical, evidence-based, enforceable, and genuinely beneficial for animal welfare.

How you can help

If you believe responsible fishkeepers, aquatic businesses, and pet owners should have a voice in this discussion, you can help by:

  • Signing the ‘Protect Your Pets - Say No to Harmful Positive Lists’ petition
  • Sharing information with fellow hobbyists
  • Contacting elected representatives in Scotland and Wales
  • Supporting responsible aquatic retailers and organisations working to protect the future of the hobby

The future of responsible fishkeeping in the UK depends on informed, balanced policy decisions that protect both animal welfare and the communities dedicated to caring for aquatic life responsibly.