MAC News 2nd Quarter 2005

[Gatortailale]

International Certification for the Quality and Sustainability

of Marine Aquarium Organisms . from Reef to Retail

 

MAC News 2nd Quarter 2005

 

Director's Note

 

MAC's efforts to instill quality and sustainability as the foundation for the collection, handling and holding of marine ornamentals and the management of collection areas in rural areas of developing countries is based on the work of many dedicated individuals. The MAC trainers, community organizers and other field staff, and those working with exporters, put in an enormous commitment of time and effort to work with collectors and communities to understand and achieve MAC Certification. Many MAC staff members spend weeks and sometimes months away from their families to work in these areas and form a working partnership with the community and the collectors to build their capacity to attain MAC Certification. These efforts are often fraught with unpredictable difficulties of bad weather, local and national politics, logistics problems, etc that interfere with planned, timely progress. Nonetheless, as reported below, these efforts are achieving results with many new collection areas, collectors groups and exporters achieving MAC Certification in the past month.

 

MAC tries its best to build the capacity for a collection area, collectors group or exporter to achieve understanding and compliance with the international standards. However, it is important to note that assessment for compliance is undertaken by independent third party MAC Accredited Certifiers and a positive result is not certain - as noted below for some of the recent assessments. When a collection area fails certification the effect can have a major impact on those involved. For example, in the Philippines a collection area recently did not 'pass' their assessment. Members of the community and collectors group were reduced to tears when they learned their hard work over the past year had not been up to the standards. MAC does not and will not give up on these communities if there is continued commitment on the part of the collectors and community to persevere towards achieving MAC Certification. We continue to work even harder to ensure that the community and the collectors have the information, skills and experience to achieve a successful certification result in the future.

 

CERTIFICATION PROGRESS

 

Major New Certifications and Re-Certifications in Philippines and Fiji and

First Certifications in Indonesia

 

During the month of May a MAC Accredited certifier assessment team visited a large number of collection areas and exporters in the Philippines and Indonesia. An additional assessment took place in Fiji in early June 2005. In the three countries, a total of 17 new or previously MAC Certified collection areas and associated collectors groups were assessed and 17 new or previously MAC Certified exporters were assessed. The results of this major effort and many months of extreme hard work by MAC staff and the certifier were:

 

PHILIPPINES

1. MAC Ecosystem and Fishery Management (EFM) Standard and MAC Collection, Fishing and Holding (CFH) Standard

A. New collection areas and associated collectors groups:

- 12 new collection areas and associated collectors groups were assessed

- 11 new collection areas and associated collectors groups were successfully MAC Certified

- 1 new collection area and associated collectors group was unsuccessful

B. Existing Certified collection areas and associated collectors groups:

- 2 previously MAC Certified collection areas and associated collectors groups were assessed

- 2 previously MAC Certified collection areas and associated collectors groups were successfully re-Certified

 

2. MAC Handling, Husbandry and Transport (HHT) Standard

A. New exporters:

- 7 new exporters were assessed

- 7 new exporters were successfully MAC Certified

B. Existing Certified exporters:

- 3 previously MAC Certified exporters were assessed

- 2 previously MAC Certified exporters were successfully re-Certified

- 1 previously MAC Certified exporter was unsuccessful

 

INDONESIA - First ever MAC Certification assessment and successful certifications

1. MAC EFM Standard and MAC CFH Standard

A. New collection areas and associated collectors groups:

- 2 new collection areas and associated collectors groups were assessed

- 1 new collection area and associated collectors group was successfully MAC Certified

- 1 new collection area and associated collectors group was unsuccessful

 

2. MAC HHT Standard

A. New exporters:

- 6 new exporters were assessed

- 6 new exporters were successfully MAC Certified

 

FIJI

1. MAC EFM Standard and MAC CFH Standard

A. New collection areas and associated collectors groups:

- 1 new collection area and associated collectors group was assessed

- 1 new collection area and associated collectors group was successfully MAC Certified

 

2. MAC HHT Standard

A. New exporters:

- 1 new exporter was assessed

- 1 new exporter was successfully MAC Certified

 

As always, the only formal listing of MAC Certified areas, collectors and companies is available on the MAC website. This listing will soon be updated to include all of the above.

 

As we move forward with the continued and expanded supply-side efforts to develop MAC Certified collection areas, collectors and exporters, the major focus will also be on ensuring that there is a consistent flow of high quality MAC Certified organisms of increasing volume and variety from these areas and new areas that achieve MAC Certification.

 

INDONESIA UPDATE

 

Government Supports Sustainability and Information for Indonesia's Aquarium Trade

 

During a MAC presentation to the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Affairs in Jakarta last May, the Indonesian Government expressed enthusiasm about MAC's work in Indonesia, including MAC's efforts to help in collating data on organisms collected for marine aquarium trade. Although the aquarium trade has been operating for over 30 years in the country, there are limited records available for the trade.

 

The Indonesian government is becoming increasingly aware of the need to conserve its marine natural resources to achieve sustainable use over the long term. It has welcomed MAC's efforts in helping to compile data about the species in trade, particularly from the designated collection areas. Regular surveys of collection areas are carried out by Reef Check and other local NGO partners, in areas seeking to be certified with the data being compiled by MAC. These baseline data can then be compared with subsequent data, and used to monitor harvest, develop catch levels, and identify potential species at risk. Although the marine aquarium trade has a relatively minor impact on coral reefs in comparison other uses, there has been increasing pressure for Indonesia to monitor the species and numbers in trade, in order to provide greater legal protection to species found to be at risk through over-exploitation. At present, this monitoring still mainly focuses on the collection and trade in live and dead corals, as most marine aquarium fish and invertebrates are not protected.

 

Enlightened and committed industry members have begun to respond to this, and have approached MAC to help them. There has been a dramatic shift towards coral cultivation, and the mariculture of marine organisms will be an important part of achieving greater sustainability for the marine aquarium trade. These efforts by government and the industry can contribute significantly in providing good quality organisms for the market, lowering mortality of species in trade, and enhancing the conservation to the reefs upon which so many people depend for their livelihoods. Given the sensitivity about the collection areas' specific location, the trust of all traders who are willing to share their data is greatly appreciated, and the confidentiality of all data collected is respected.

 

PHILIPPINES UPDATE

 

MAC Strengthens Focus on Supply Development

 

The strategic focus of MAC on transforming the marine aquarium trade, especially for supply development in key source countries, is evident in the recent move to strengthen its program and project delivery capability in Asia/Pacific region. In May 2005, MAC moved into new Manila offices that it will share with key partners Reef Check and the Conservation and Community Investment Forum (CCIF). The office is being ramped up to provide managerial, technical and administrative support services for its Philippines-based operations, and for MAC in Indonesia, with a view to extending this support to the MAC efforts in the Asia/Pacific region overall. "We need to extend our reach to the coastal communities and exporters that are fundamental to the trade, and having a more solid presence in these countries is part of sustaining effective programs at this level" stressed Paul Holthus, Executive Director for MAC.

 

MAC is able to expand its efforts in the Philippines and Indonesia through "Marine Aquarium Market Transformation Initiative" (MAMTI) support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) via the International Finance Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank. As previously reported, the MAMTI project brings together a complementary partnership between MAC, Reef Check and CCIF and the office a vibrant and unique mix of skills and talent. Juliet Paulino, the MAC Asia/Pacific Office Manager adds: "We are serious, but we are going to make the work enjoyable" as she develops a user-friendly office environment which will make a remarkable contribution to achieving MAC's global objectives

 

Contact information for the new MAC office in Manila is:

Marine Aquarium Council

6th Floor, Salustiana D. Ty Tower

104 Paseo de Roxas

Makati City, Metro Manila

Philippines

Ph: +632 813-1308; + 632 893-7252

Fax: +632 817-9541

E-mail: jpaulino@aquariumcouncil.org

 

Philippines President Visits MAC Collectors in Palawan

 

On 9 May, 2005, local communities of the Palawan region received the visit of Philippines President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, accompanied by Palawan Governor Joel Reyes and US Ambassador to the Philippines, Francis Ricciardones. The President and other officials met with marine ornamentals collectors who are working towards becoming MAC Certified.

 

Since 2004, the Palawan region has hosted MAC training teams, through the USAID support to MAC for "Transforming the Marine Aquarium Trade" (TMAT). Several communities and collectors groups in Palawan Province are working towards achieving compliance with the MAC International Standards for both their collection areas and operations.

 

PACIFIC UPDATE

 

Canadian/South Pacific and EC SMART Projects Draw to an End

 

Generous support from the Canada-South Pacific Ocean Development Program (C-SPOD), via the South Pacific Forum Secretariat, wrapped up in late 2004, as the project funding period ended. In mid 2005, the Sustainable Management of Aquarium Reef Trade (SMART) project funded by the European Commission will be finishing up as that project cycle closes. These projects sought to ensure the marine aquarium fishery and industry in several Pacific Island countries was environmentally, economically and socially sound and sustainable through MAC Certification. MAC was active in Fiji, Vanuatu, Tonga, the Solomon Islands, Kiribati and the Cook Islands. Although significant progress has been made in all of these areas, there is still work to be done. Difficult logistics, changes in company management, national political developments, community concerns, and other issues greatly affected the ability to move fully through to MAC Certification for many of the collection areas and companies.

 

MAC Certification Focus on Christmas Island, Kiribati

 

MAC activities in the Pacific will continue, but on a much more targeted scale. Through support of the Brussels-based Centre for the Development of Enterprise, the MAC Pacific team will be following up on the interest in MAC Certification from the collectors and exporters in Christmas Island, Kiribati. The team will be based at Christmas Island for much of July and August 2005.

 

SPREP Support for Resource Assessment and Management

 

The South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) provided support to enable the MAC Pacific team to focus on the information and processes needed to ensure that the live coral and live rock trade could be better understood and managed. The MAC Pacific program linked this to fieldwork and undertook additional activities including: refining the resource assessment methodology for live coral harvesting and live rock extraction, improving methods for the interpretation of resource assessments and developing quota building capacity to undertake resource assessments, and developing impact assessment methods.

 

EUROPE UPDATE

 

European Importers and Retailers Prepare for Certification Assessment

 

Interest within Europe for MAC Certification is growing rapidly amongst importers and retailers. MAC Consultant, Christiane Schmidt, has been working closely with importers and retailers in France, Germany and the UK over the past months to assist them to prepare for MAC Certification to the MAC HHT Standard. Several importers and retailers in these countries are scheduled to be formally assessed by a MAC Accredited certifier in July 2005.

 

MAC Seminar and Presentations at the Paris Underwater Life Festival

 

In April, MAC representatives attended the second edition of the Underwater Life Festival in Paris, France (previously "CIRCOP"). This is one of France's major marine aquarium industry and hobby events, which occurs every two years. The Festival generously provided support for MAC participation and booth space for MAC to display its brochures for hobbyists and the industry, which provided a busy meeting place for MAC interaction with participants, speakers and organizers.

 

In addition to a plenary presentation on "Healthy Reefs, Healthy Hobby - a Symbiotic Relationship", a forum for hobbyists was held on MAC Certification, with many questions from the reef keepers in attendance. The Festival also hosted a half-day MAC Certification seminar for the industry on the MAC Standards and the steps to follow to become MAC Certified, targeting French aquarium industry professionals. Several companies signed the MAC Statement of Commitment and Support at the event.

 

European Press Interest in MAC at ZooMark, Italy

 

MAC Communications Consultant, Nathalie Gamain, attended ZooMark (the second largest pet industry trade show in Europe) in Bologna, Italy to meet with major industry stakeholders. Numerous meetings with European and international press representatives were organized as part of efforts to expand MAC outreach and communications to the industry and hobbyists in Europe.

 

UPDATE ON THE MAM STANDARD

 

Interest is growing in the MAC Mariculture and Aquaculture Management (MAM) Standard and an increasing number of marine ornamental culturing facilities are contacting MAC to find out about how they can become certified to this standard. Final editing of the MAM Standard has almost been completed and MAC is working with a few culturing facilities that have agreed to participate as test cases for the initial certifications to this standard.

 

Peter Scott, MAC Certification Systems Director, made a presentation on the MAM Standard at the annual global World Aquaculture 2005 Conference (May 9-13, Bali, Indonesia), as the 'soft launch' of the MAM Standard, where there was interest from a number of companies and organizations.

For more information please contact Peter Scott (peter.scott@aquariumcouncil.org).

 

COMMUNICATION AND OUTREACH

 

MAC HHT Standard Documents Available in French and German

 

As a further part of the increased MAC European outreach, the MAC Handling, Husbandry and Transport (HHT) Standard and the Retailer Master Copy (the supporting document for the HHT International Standard) are now available in French and German. Additional operational support documents, such as the Certification Annual and its complementary forms, have also been translated in these two languages, in order to facilitate the efforts of European companies interested in becoming MAC Certified. These documents are available upon request at info@aquariumcouncil.org.

 

MAC Presentation and Participation at Aquarama, Singapore

 

MAC Executive Director, Paul Holthus, delivered a presentation on MAC Certification at Aquarama, the major two-yearly aquarium industry gathering in Asia (Singapore, 27-29 May). Aquarama Conference attendees were updated on MAC capacity building activities in the Asia/Pacific region and of MAC's work with the industry, hobby and media in North America and Europe and the resulting increase in awareness and participation in MAC Certification. Numerous side meetings were held with companies that are MAC Certified or are seeking to become MAC Certified, as well as with the trade associations and other MAC partners present at this well attended event.

 

Upcoming MAC Presentations at MACNA 2005 - from Indonesia to the Classroom

 

The MAC Indonesia Director, Ms Gayatri Lilley-Reksodihardjo, will travel to Washington, DC in September to make a presentation at the Marine Aquarium Conference of North America (MACNA) on "The Life and Future of Marine Ornamentals Collectors in Indonesia". MACNA participants will also be able to hear MAC Americas Director, Mark Schreffler, talk about the value of marine aquaria in classrooms and teaching in a presentation on "Get Connected - Help Protect our Coral Reefs" in the Education theme session of MACNA.

 

MAC IN THE NEWS

 

"El MAC Entrena a los Recolectores para Bucear con Seguridad". Noticias. Animalia. January 2005: 19-20. [in Spanish]

 

"Electing the Future". Guest Editorial by Jacob Lowenstein. Freshwater and Marine Aquarium Magazine. May 2005: 4-6.

 

"Improving Marine Ornamental Collection: Responsible Harvesting for a Sustainable Hobby". Rezal Kusumaatmadja and Aquilino Alvarez. Tropical Fish Hobbyist. June 2005: 86-88.

 

"Marine Aquarium Council Update". Aquarium Magazine. June 2005: 21.

 

"Letters to the Editor". Tropical Fish Hobbyist. June 2005: 14.

 

"Healthy Reefs, Healthy Fish, Healthy Hobby". Richard Pyle (MAC ad). Tropical Fish Hobbyist. July 2005: 121.

 

"New method for detecting cyanide in marine fish". Practical Fishkeeping (online news) www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk

 

"Entretien avec le responsable Fran