Aquatic shops face animal welfare nightmare as energy prices rocket

Aquatic shops and wholesalers could be faced with the decision to euthanise livestock as energy bills are making businesses “unviable”, warns the Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association (OATA).

The trade body has written to the prime minister to alert him to the crisis facing businesses within the home aquarium industry if nothing is done to support them through the energy crisis.

Aquatics firms face large energy bill hikes to keep tanks heated and maintained. OATA said this is coupled with mounting concerns over how to manage animal welfare issues if these businesses are forced to close.

The trade body added the aquatics industry is the hardest hit of all in the pet sector because of its energy requirements. Some businesses are reportedly facing 300%-400% price increases in their energy bills.

Additionally, with increasing numbers of customers closing down tanks, aquatic shops are facing more requests to rehome pet fish, as OATA said there is limited ability to rehome them elsewhere.

Fish are the most populous pet in the UK, with industry estimates of 100 million fish to be found in homes and gardens.

Dominic Whitmee, OATA CEO, said: “These sorts of cost increases are unsustainable for any company but when you look after live animals, you can’t just switch off and turn your back on your business. That means many businesses will face a critical dilemma about what to do with the livestock they hold, raising a very serious risk of mass euthanasia.

“We are asking the prime minister to take urgent and meaningful action soon. Without it, there is no doubt we will witness many aquarium businesses closing their doors for good, leaving employees without work during a time of crisis, and millions of pet fish at risk of euthanasia because there is not the ability to rehome them like other pets.”