OATA CEO becomes advisor to freshwater fish charity

OATA’s chief executive Dominic Whitmee has accepted an offer to become an advisor for Shoal’s Advisory Group. 

Shoal is a global conservation initiative focused entirely on freshwater species, and has brought together a diverse panel of freshwater experts to help support it in its decision-making.

Shoal’s Mike Baltzer said: “Each has an important voice in guiding Shoal’s decision-making. Shoal Advisors offer their support to us to ensure that the strategy and activities of Shoal are based on the best available science, are aligned to achieving both the goals and objectives of Shoal and meet the interests and concerns of its partners and supporters as best as it can. 

“Dominic, as an expert in the home aquarium trade, will provide invaluable advice related to engaging and working together with the aquarium trade and hobby. We’re extremely happy to have Dominic on board. His experience and expertise in the aquarium trade will be a powerful ally in helping us achieve our mission of halting freshwater extinctions and recovering populations in the wild.” 

Whitmee added: “I’m delighted to be asked by Shoal to take on this voluntary position. OATA has been a supporter of Shoal since its inception and I am excited to help the organisation towards achieving its aims for freshwater fish conservation.” 

OATA’s vice chair Pete Carey, one of 18 voluntary board directors at the trade association who is head of Aquatic Innovation at CASCO, is also one of Shoal’s new advisors. 

He said: “I am extremely excited to be involved with this amazing project, and have been a strong supporter of the SHOAL project for many years. I’m very much looking forward to playing a part in the conservation of our precious freshwater habits across the globe.”