MAC News 3rd Quarter 2003

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MARINE AQUARIUM COUNCIL

 

International Certification for the Quality and Sustainability

of Marine Aquarium Organisms ... from Reef to Retail

 

MAC News 3rd Quarter 2003

 

Director's Note

 

From The Hague to Bali, companies and communities are engaging in the global efforts of Marine Aquarium Council (MAC) Certification to ensure that the marine ornamentals trade is sustainable and responsible. In this issue of MAC News, you'll read about the most recent importers and retailers to become MAC Certified, ongoing efforts in collection areas in the Pacific to increase the quantity and diversity of MAC Certified organisms available, and the latest MAC Certification education and outreach efforts.

 

Industry participation in MAC Certification is growing steadily. There are now 20 MAC Certified operations, including two collection areas, two collectors associations and four exporters in the Philippines; four importers and six retailers in North America; and two importers in Europe. The only official list of MAC Certified entities is on the MAC website at http://aquariumcouncil.org/subpage.asp?page=130&section=3.

 

Public commitments to seek to become MAC Certified have now been made by 95 companies in 18 countries, including 40 in the United States; 20 in the Philippines; 9 in Indonesia; 5 in Fiji; 3 each in Australia and UK; 2 each in France, Germany and Solomon Islands; and 1 each in Bahrain, Belau, Brazil, Canada, Israel, The Netherlands, Norway, Spain and Taiwan. These companies are listed on the MAC website at http://aquariumcouncil.org/subpage.asp?page=167&section=3.

 

EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA: MAC Certified Suppliers Now in Europe and US East Coast

 

Importer Sierviskwekerij Waterweelde in The Netherlands is the first company in Europe to achieve MAC Certification. This 30-year-old family company is one of the world's largest marine ornamentals' import-export companies and one of the largest aquatic retail outlets in Europe. It reached the finals in the Enterprise of the Year Award 2003 for The Hague region.

 

'We have always been an avid supporter of MAC and its objectives,' notes owner Danny Winkels. 'It reflects our particularly high investment in quarantine facilities, prophylactic research and animal husbandry. Our name is associated with these high standards and our clients expect nothing less.'

 

The second company in Europe and the first in the United Kingdom to become MAC Certified is Tropical Marine Centre. TMC is the UK's largest wholesale supplier of marine aquarium animals. It also operates one of the largest commercial clownfish hatcheries.

 

In North America, importer Segrest Farms in Florida achieved MAC Certification. Segrest has long been engaged in MAC efforts and was active on the Standards Advisory Group. Absolutely Fish in New Jersey, is the first retailer on the East Coast to achieve MAC Certification. It also recently earned the 2003 award for Best Retail Store in North America from Pet Product News. A second East Coast retailer, Venice Pet Center in Florida, also became MAC Certified in the past quarter.

 

The contact information for these and other MAC Certified companies are found on the only official list of MAC Certified organizations, located on the MAC website at http://aquariumcouncil.org/subpage.asp?page=130&section=3.

 

MAC Accredited certifiers SGS Product and Process Certification (The Netherlands), Shizen Megumi Pacific Certification Services Ltd. (Canada) and IMS International (UK) undertook these recent certifications. Contact details for all MAC Accredited certifiers are on the MAC website at http://wwwaquariumcouncil.org/subpage.asp?page=125.

 

PHILIPPINES: US Agency for International Development (USAID) Supports MAC Certification

 

USAID has recently approved a major Global Development Alliance grant for 'Transforming the Marine Aquarium Trade (TMAT)' in the Philippines. The goal of the three-year program is to build a critical mass of MAC Certified collectors and collection areas in the Philippines. TMAT brings together significant new collaboration, resources and partnerships to help mainstream MAC Certification by 1) ensuring collectors have the information and training to become MAC Certified; 2) ensuring community stakeholders are able to develop and implement MAC Certified ecosystem management for collection areas; and 3) ensuring MAC and its partners have the capacity to develop, coordinate and implement the TMAT program. More information will be reported on this project in future issues of the MAC News.

 

In the southern Philippines, the Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM 2) Program of USAID is supporting MAC efforts to work with local partners to identify and assess collection areas and collector groups in the Mindanao provinces of Zamboanga, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi and Jolo to ensure the aquarium trade is sustainable. The target beneficiaries are former secessionist combatants who have laid down their arms and are now participating in USAID-supported programs for sustainable livelihoods based on local coastal resources. The project was launched in August in Zamboanga City with MAC partners Reef Check and the Mindanao State University (MSU) Marine Research Development Foundation and will seek to expand to include collectors training and collection area certification development.

 

MAC and Certified Companies Collaborate with Hobbyist Magazines

 

MAC, Freshwater and Marine Aquarium (FAMA) magazine and the MAC North America Certified Industry Group (CIG) are collaborating to promote MAC Certified marine ornamentals. The first full page ad developed together appears in the October issue of FAMA and will run for one year. The CIG is comprised of MAC Certified importers and retailers in the United States and Canada, which now numbers 10. MAC is also working in close partnership with Tropical Fish Hobbyist (TFH) magazine, which will soon be running a regular MAC column focused on global conservation and the marine ornamentals trade. TFH also sponsored Mike Paletta, keynote speaker at the MAC co-hosted Marine Aquarium Hobbyist Day at the New York Aquarium in September, and will have an article on MAC reef conservation work in the Indo-Pacific in a supplement for an upcoming issue of TFH.

 

Global Marine Aquarium Database Summary Report Available; UN Environment Programme Supports Sustainable Marine Aquarium Trade

 

The United Nations Environment Programme's World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) launched the first ever detailed global estimate of the state of the marine aquarium trade in its report 'From Ocean to Aquarium: The Global Trade in Marine Ornamentals.' The report is made possible by the data provided by exporters and importers from around the world who are working with MAC and WCMC to ensure accurate information on the trade is available.

 

In the UNEP press release, UNEP Executive Director Klaus Toepfer states, 'Collecting tropical fish brings pleasure to millions. It also fuels an important, and mostly legitimate, industry.' He highlights the fact that the global trade in marine species has great potential as a source of desperately needed income for local fishing communities.

 

UNEP-WCMC Director Mark Collins reinforces this statement, noting: 'If managed properly, the aquarium industry could support long-term conservation and sustainable use of coral reefs in regions where other options for generating revenue are limited.'

 

WCMC Marine Programme Director (and report co-author) Ed Green adds, 'We encourage responsible traders to sign up to the MAC Certification scheme and for the public to only buy from reputable dealers.'

 

The report is available on line at http://www.unep-wcmc.org/resources/publications/WCMC_Aquarium.pdf.

 

INDONESIA: Indonesia Government and MAC Sign MOU; CAMP Developments Proceed in Bali

 

The Indonesian Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with MAC on July 24, 2003, formalizing the strong government support for MAC's work in Indonesia. Government representatives at the signing ceremony included the Ministry's Director of Small Islands, Director of Marine National Parks and Conservation, Director of Spatial Planning and Director General of Coasts and Small Islands. MAC's Indonesia Director Gayatri Reksodihardjo-Lilley and Executive Director Paul Holthus were also in attendance.

 

At the field level, progress towards MAC Certification continues in North Bali where the Tejakula sub-district government convened a full-day meeting of local fishermen, resort owners, community leaders and local government officials to introduce and discuss the MAC Collection Area Management Plan (CAMP) concept. At the Bali Province level, MAC gave a presentation to stakeholders, including the government's Head of Fisheries, Bali exporters, local Balinese non-government organizations and fisheries officers from all over Bali on MAC Certification. Two Bali-based exporters subsequently signed statements of commitment to become MAC Certified.

 

PACIFIC ISLANDS: MAC Partnerships Increase as Regional Office Relocates to Fiji and Adds New Staff

 

The Canada-South Pacific Ocean Development (C-SPOD) Program has taken an active role in supporting the development of MAC Certification in the Pacific through the South Pacific Forum Secretariat's project on Marine Ornamentals Certification. Through the project MAC has raised awareness and interest in MAC Certification and worked with the industry, governments and collector communities on aquarium trade sustainability and coral reef resource management. The region is poised for its first MAC Certification by the end of this year in Fiji.

 

The Private Sector Division of the Forum Secretariat strengthened its partnership with MAC and support for MAC Certification in the Pacific Island countries with the appointment of the new Private Sector Advisor Asif Chida and the Private Sector Officer Joshua Mael.

 

As part of improving MAC's efforts in the region, the MAC Pacific Islands office has relocated from the Solomon Islands to Fiji. The new location is at 298 Princess Rd (Bottom Flat), Tamavua, Suva, Fiji Islands, Ph: (679) 3371779; Fax: (679) 3371773. The MAC Pacific Office (MAC-PAC) includes five staff members (many of whom are supported by the EC-funded project on Sustainable Management of the Marine Aquarium Trade (reported on in MAC News 2nd Quarter 2003). They include Pacific Regional Manager Michelle Lam, Regional Aquarium Fish Officer Cherie Morris, Community Development Officer Jeff Kinch, Resource Management Officer Gregory Bennett and Program Support Officer Telu Baleivanualala. Information on the background, role and responsibilities of the expanded MAC Pacific staff will be available on the MAC website in the near future at http://aquariumcouncil.org/subpage.asp?page=71&section=12.

 

MAC Standards and Accreditation Meet International Code of Practices

 

To ensure that its international standards and certification programs are robust, transparent and comply with internationally accepted codes of practice for conformity assessment and trade, MAC is a member of the International Social and Environmental Accreditation and Labeling (ISEAL) Alliance. Through this global association of certification organizations MAC complies with the ISEAL Code of Practices for Social and Environmental Standards Setting and Certifier Accreditation and participates in the ISEAL Peer Review Audit Program. ISEAL is an international organization based in Bonn, Germany. Further information on ISEAL can be found on the website at http://www.isealalliance.org/

 

MAC Certification Cited in Animal Welfare Report to UK Parliament

 

The June 2003 Report on the Welfare of Non-domesticated Animals Kept for Companionship, prepared by the UK Companion Animal Welfare Council for the United Kingdom parliament, recommends 'the development of a quality assurance scheme which certifies that animals for sale in pet shops and at other outlets are and have been cared for to specific standards. Such certification would be granted only where the seller could demonstrate that appropriate and auditable welfare and environmental standards had been met from the original sourcing of the animal through to the point of sale.' The recommendation refers to MAC Certification and notes that 'such schemes appear to offer a positive means to promote welfare standards. In addition, they provide mechanisms by which standards can be continually upgraded to keep abreast of developments in our understanding of animals' needs.'

 

MAC Education and Outreach Efforts

 

Hobbyist Event Helps Introduce MAC to New York Region. On Sept. 13, 2003, MAC co-hosted the Marine Aquarium Hobbyist Day at the New York Aquarium. The event focused on responsible aquarium keeping and featured a series of presentations and exhibits. The keynote address by Mike Paletta on propagating SPS Corals was sponsored by Tropical Fish Hobbyist (TFH) magazine. Other speakers included John Brandt of the Marine Aquarium Societies of North America on the aquarium fish industry in the Philippines; Paul Loiselle of the New York Aquarium on responsible aquarium fish keeping; Rick Preuss of Preuss Animal House and Mark Schreffler of The Reef Shop on conservation through education; and Joe Yaiullo of Atlantis Marine World on coral biology and its effect on aquarium husbandry. Absolutely Fish, Aquatic Creations, Brooklyn Zoo & Aquarium, the Brooklyn Aquarium Society, TFH and MAC provided exhibits, and Marineland and Seachem Laboratories generously donated door prizes. TFH, Freshwater and Marine Aquarium magazine, Reef Central, the Brooklyn Aquarium Society and other local aquarium societies spread the word about the event.

 

Marine Educators Welcome MAC at US Conference. MAC Certified retailers Rick Preuss of Preuss Animal House and Mark Schreffler of The Reef Shop joined MAC Communications Director Sylvia Spalding in delivering a well-received presentation on MAC Certification at the National Marine Educators Association annual conference in Wilmington, North Carolina, in July. Educators visited the MAC exhibit booth to discuss marine aquarium tanks as an educational tool in their classrooms and ways to promote MAC Certification to their local retail shops.

 

Support for MAC Voiced at MACNA. In the opening plenary for the 2003 Marine Aquarium Conference of North America (MACNA), Martin Moe delivered a powerful message of support for MAC Certification, calling for those in the hobby and industry to 'get behind' MAC. David Vosseler, MAC Americas and the Pacific Director, attended the September event, at which the Louisville Marine Aquarium Society provided MAC with a breakout session room and booth space. Frank discussions were held on MAC efforts in a number of different forums including the two open forums hosted by the American Marinelife Dealers Associations (AMDA). The format of these two well-attended forums allowed for forthright and wide-ranging discussions covering all aspects of the industry including the present role and future plans for AMDA and MAC.

 

MAC Public Education Campaign for Responsible Aquarium Keeping Goes Global. Knowing that the release of the Disney-Pixar animated film Finding Nemo in the United States created great media interest in the marine aquarium industry and hobby, MAC continued its responsible aquarium keeping public education campaign as the film opened in Australia in August. MAC also worked with retailer Joyhub Co. Ltd. to translate into Chinese the educational card for beginning marine aquarists that MAC developed for the US release of the film. The Taiwanese company, which has publicly committed to becoming MAC Certified, distributed about a thousand copies of the translated card at a Taipei trade show. The card was well received and helped introduce MAC to the Asia market. MAC public education outreach efforts will continue in Europe and Japan as the film is released for public viewing in these locations October through December. In conjunction with the UK premiere of Finding Nemo on Sept. 28, UNEP-WCMC and MAC released a joint press release on Sept. 30, which - along with a UNEP press release on the aquarium trade the same day - has generated significant print, radio and TV media interest in the UK, France, Italy, Spain, Norway, the US and elsewhere, some of which is noted in the MAC in the News section below.

 

MAC Works to Partner with US Retailers. Retailers are one of the best means for reaching marine aquarists to raise awareness them about issues in the marine aquarium trade and the role of MAC Certification. To this effect, MAC is working to form closer partnerships with interested retail shops. In July, we distributed an info packet on MAC Certification to nearly 3,000 US aquarium retail shops, resulting in numerous inquiries on MAC Certification and several signed statements of commitment to become MAC Certified. This project was funded in part by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Retailer information packets are available on request to info@aqauariumcouncil.org.

 

MAC Certified Collection Areas Discussed at the World Parks Congress. MAC was invited to participate in the 5th World Parks Congress in Durban, South Africa, Sept. 8 to 17. More than 2,500 participants from 170 countries participated in this once-a-decade event that is the major global forum on protected areas. MAC Asia Director Rezal Kusumaatmadja delivered the presentation 'Trade-Based Incentives for Establishing Management Areas and No-Take Zones' in a session on 'Benefits of MPA Networks for Fisheries and Endangered Species: Experiences and Innovation in Scaling Up to Build Networks.'

 

Upcoming Events

 

Oct. 10-12, 2003: 37th Annual Pet Industry Christmas Trade Show, Chicago, Illinois, USA

 

Oct. 30-Nov. 2, 2003: Aquarama 2003 Conference. Singapore. http://www.aquarama.com.sg/

 

March 1-5, 2004: Marine Ornamentals '04/Aquaculture 2004, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. http://www.hawaiiaquaculture.org/marineornamentals04.html

 

MAC in the News

 

'Aquaria 'risk to tropical fish',' by Alex Kirby. BBC News. Sept. 30, 2003. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/3151384.stm

 

'Finding too many Nemos,' by Joan Lowy. Scripps Howard News Service. Sept. 30, 2003. http://www.knoxstudio.com/shns....&cat=II

 

'Fish hobbyists warned not to flush pets,' by Joseph B. Verrengia. Salon.com News. Sept. 30, 2003. http://www.salon.com/news/wire/2003/09/30/fish_flush/print.html [Also appeared in Seattle Post Intelligencer and Kansas City Star, USA]

 

'From Cauliflower Corals to Clown Fish.' DiveNews.Com. Sept. 30, 2003. http://www.divenews.com/modules....id=2007

 

'Losing Nemo: The hunt for tropical fish is hurting their habitat, UN report finds,' by Dan Vergano. USA Today. Sept. 30, 2003.

 

'Tropical fish trade under spotlight as sales boom.' Reuters News. Sept. 30, 2003. http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tm....sh_dc_3

 

'Aquarium store a leader in industry,' by Amanda Gerut. Herald News (New Jersey, USA). Sept. 20, 2003. [Also appeared as 'Fish retailer getting certification from Marine Aquarium Council,' in the South Passaic edition.]

 

'BC: First Canadian Wholesaler MAC Certified 09/08/03.' AQUANEWS. Sept. 8, 2003. http://www.vanaqua.org/aquanews/

 

'Hobbyist swap fish tales at conference: Marine enthusiasts meet in Clarksville for annual gathering,' by Christopher Hall. The Courier Journal (Louisville, Kentucky, USA). Sept. 8, 2003.

 

'Fish-friendly ways earns award,' by Philip Raphael. The Richmond Review (Canada). Sept. 6, 2003.

 

'Canadian First in Reef Fish Conservation.' EarthVision Environmental News. Sept. 3, 2003. http://www.earthvision.net/ColdFus....start=1

 

'Marine Aquarium Council (MAC) Event at the NY Aquarium to Promote Tropical Fish Certification,' by Sylvia Spalding. Aquatica: The Journal of the Brooklyn Aquarium Society (New York). Vol. 17(4): 17.

 

'Winds of Change in the Marine Aquarium Industry: Observations on the Marine Aquarium Council Certification Program in the Philippines,' by John Brandt. Freshwater and Marine Aquarium. September 2003. pp 2-6. [Also appeared in Marine Scene: A Quarterly Publication of the Marine Aquarium Societies of North America. Vol. 12(3): 4-7.]

 

Certification de la Chaine Aquariophile. http://www.reefkeepers.net/Mac/CertificationMAC.html [in French]

 

Normaliser la chaîne de distribution aquariophile globale pour protéger l'environnement, les animaux et les intérêts de tous. http://mars.reefkeepers.net/Articles/MAC/CertificationMAC.html [in French]

 

La Certification MAC. http://www.reef-guardian.com/modules.php?name=temp [in French]

 

'Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ocean Futures Society and Disney/Pixar Team Up to Protect Reefs.' July 17, 2003. http://www.oceanfutures.org/press/2003/pr_07_17_03.asp

 

'Defending Nemo,' by Beth Jones. Roanoke Times (Virginia, USA). July 15, 2003.

 

'Memo to Kids: Don't Flush Your Fish.' New Castle News (Penn., USA). July 12, 2003.

 

'Kids Are Flushing Fish after Seeing 'Nemo.'' Daily Gazette (New York, USA). July 3, 2003.

 

News Brief. Evansville Courier and Press (Indiana, USA). July 1, 2003.

 

'Reef Keeping: It's not too late to save our coral reefs - and you can help,' by Nancy Klingener. blueplanet quarterly. Vol. 3(1): 34-35.

 

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