Dave ESPI Posted April 20, 2003 Share Posted April 20, 2003 MARINE AQUARIUM COUNCIL International Certification for the Quality and Sustainability of Marine Aquarium Organisms from Reef to Retail MAC News 1st Quarter 2003 Director's Note As noted in the last issue of the MAC News, the majority of MAC's effort and resources are focused on working with collectors and their communities to achieve MAC Certification and increase the number of coral reefs under management and the number of collectors using best practices---thereby increasing the supply of certified marine ornamentals. In this issue of the MAC News, we are highlighting the progress in the Philippines in achieving these goals, as well as the lessons we are learning and the adjustments that are being made. The MAC Standards and Certification are new and are a work in progress. There are problems and flaws and a steep learning curve, so the results of our efforts will not be prefect and immediate. We have a lot to figure out. No one has ever tried to do something like create industry standards and certification for an international, wild-capture trade in live animals. The MAC Board recognizes the need for the certification system to evolve and improve as we go and has determined that the first few years will be a "Development Phase," with flexibility and adaptation of the certification standards. Not all the parts are in place and functioning, and the system will grow and evolve as we learn. However, the destruction of reefs, animals and coastal communities is too urgent to wait until we have the perfect certification system. Having an imperfect system that is being worked out on the ground is a much better position than empty intentions. There are also a lot of different opinions about how the MAC Standards and Certification should look and work. We try to achieve the best balance of these as is possible, but it is not always easy to please everyone in the diverse group of stakeholders that are involved. We take concerns of substance and issues very seriously. We try to clarify the substance of concerns and respond to them. While much of the discussion below is centered on the Philippines, it is important to realize that there is also active interest and work towards achieving certification in other supply areas, e.g., Fiji, other Pacific Island countries, Indonesia, Hawaii. Philippines Progress Collectors and exporter in the Philippines become MAC Certified In January 2003, MAC Accredited certifier IMS International announced that the Tangaran Aquarium Fish Gathers Association (TAFGA) and the Cebu-based exporter AquaEx had achieved MAC Certified status---raising the number of operators in the Philippines that meet the MAC Standards to two collection areas, two collectors' associations and four exporters since the launch of the MAC Certification system in late 2001. TAFGA operates in the coastal barangay (barrio) of Tangaran in the municipality of Clarin, situated in the northwest part of the Province of Bohol. The community held a public "graduation" ceremony to celebrate their new MAC Certified status on Feb. 21, 2003. MAC Board Member John Brandt of the Marine Aquarium Societies of North America (MASNA) attended the event and took the stage to congratulate the collectors and watch as they received their certificates from the mayor and other officials. See the MAC homepage at www.aquariumcouncil.org for a photo of the graduation. MAC Certified Collectors and Exporters Group formed in the Philippines The initial group of two MAC Certified collectors' associations and four MAC Certified exporters in the Philippines are working together to improve their collaboration and, thereby, improve the implementation of MAC Certification and help increase the supply of MAC Certified organisms to certified importers and retailers. They have formed the MAC Certified Collectors and Exporters Group-Philippines (MAC-CCEG-Philippines) and will meet periodically to identify, review and resolve issues related to their operations and interactions related to MAC Certification. The group will grow as additional collectors and companies are certified. In their initial work together from Jan. 28-30, 2003, the group addressed several areas of concern and reached agreement on the following issues, among others: PRICING: A common and fair pricing schedule was developed, based on species, size and season. The group will review the pricing agreement twice a year and revise it as needed. SCREENING: The group identified the issues in exporter screening of organisms and defined best practices that the MAC Certified collectors and exporters would use, e.g., acceptable quality and size parameters for all organisms. The representatives of the collectors visited the MAC Certified exporters to clarify these issues and practices under real operating conditions. MONITORING OF OPERATIONS: All parties agreed to the importance of random announced and unannounced visits by MAC staff members to ensure compliance with MAC Certification, including sampling of stock for cyanide detection testing at approved laboratories. COMMUNICATION PROCEDURES: Exporters agreed to ensure timely feedback on organism quality and their payment to collectors. SUPPLY ALLOCATION: Collectors and exporters agreed that the first preference would be for MAC Certified organisms to be available to MAC Certified companies. Philippine Tropical Fish Exporters Association reinforces its commitment to MAC Certification The Philippine Tropical Fish Exporters Association (PTFEA) addressed key issues regarding the implementation of MAC Certification in early 2003. The PTFEA includes 21of the 32 Philippines' marine aquarium fish exporters as its members. On Feb. 7, 2003, in Manila, the PTFEA unanimously voted to form a committee to develop a collective approach to assisting their collectors and MAC to ensure these collectors are qualified for MAC Certification, including the possibility of a system for PTFEA support for collectors training activities. The PTFEA also issued a public statement to clearly indicate its position regarding supply development, standardized screening, communications and cyanide detection testing. On the latter issue, the association stated: "PTFEA members understand and support the development and implementation of valid and effective cyanide detection testing. All PTFEA operations and facilities will be open to random announced and unannounced monitoring and sampling of stock for cyanide detection, provided that the testing be done at approved laboratories and that the tests be conducted by officially authorized persons." The full statement can be found in the "What's New" section of the MAC website at www.aquariumcouncil.org. MASNA and CORL representatives observe MAC Certifed operations in the Philippines The hobbyist community has expressed a great deal of interest in the new Marine Aquarium Council (MAC) Certification process. In order to help inform the hobbyist community, John Brandt, who is on the MAC Board of Directors and that of the Marine Aquarium Societies of North America (MASNA) and represents MASNA with the US Coral Reef Task Force, traveled to the Philippines to observe MAC Certified activities in the field. John's "observer mission" was sponsored by MAC and included visiting and diving with the first MAC Certified collectors in the community of Batasan, meeting with government officials, appraising MAC Certified exporter activities and observing MAC Certified fish collection activities. Mike King, director of the Coalition of Reef Lovers (CORL), accompanied John on the trip. The trip was to help CORL better understand how the MAC Collection Area Management Plans (CAMPs) are set up and to start laying the foundation of a working partnership between CORL and MAC in the Philippines. "The MAC Certified operation that I observed in the Philippines represents a functional model for a high quality chain of custody program for the marine aquarium industry," Brandt reported. "Reef organisms are collected by the most gentle and responsible methods. They are held and transported using proven techniques that result in the low mortality and quality product that is a standard for MAC Certification." John also noted the "pride" that collectors and companies feel about their "MAC Certification accomplishment" and said he found "this to be true of all of the people associated with the MAC program." For the full reports, visit the "New Items" section of the MAC website at www.aquariumcouncil.org. Philippines' government agencies expand their partnerships with MAC MAC, which already has a Memorandum of Understanding with the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD), has now been invited to become a member of the executive committee of the PCSD Early Response Project---an anti-illegal fishing and destructive fishing initiative for Palawan Island. Cyanide detection and MAC Certification The MAC Standards require that the MAC Board approve "credible, accurate and reliable test methods for detecting chemicals that are suspected of being used in the collection and fishing of marine aquarium organisms." These methods are "only valid if verified by an International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) accredited laboratory." Unfortunately, there have been no methods and labs that have yet sought approval. Implementation of the MAC Certification is based not only on seeking to detect cyanide after it is has been used but also on a variety of mechanisms for preventing cyanide use in the first place. This includes significant effort on developing criteria for documenting and tracing of the organisms caught by MAC Certified collectors operating in MAC Certified collection areas---"traceability" is to create accountability and link each collector to the fish that they collect. Accountability allows us to develop a whole range, or "basket," of measures that focus on preventative level behavior change with collectors: INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY OF COLLECTORS: With certification, fishers are required to use logbooks to document their catch and have these reviewed by the collector's coordinator. Each collector's catch is identified to the individual. The quality and acceptability is evaluated both by the collectors' coordinator and by the exporter. Unacceptable fish are linked to the individual whose collection and/or handling resulted in the quality of the animal. PEER PRESSURE: The collectors are certified as a group (usually they form an association to get the group certified), linking the group to the continued performance and compliance of each member. If one member violates the MAC Standards, the continued certification of the whole group (and their access to the improved market and its benefits) is at risk. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: The development of the Collection Area Management Plan (CAMP) for compliance to the Ecosystem and Fishery Management (EFM) Standard is a multi-stakeholder effort that links the community to the fishery and the collectors. Involving the community in the success and commitment of the certified fishers though a major community awards ceremony for them enhances this link. LOCAL GOVERNMENT SURVEILLANCE AND ENFORCEMENT: There is already often a village level system for surveillance and enforcement, e.g., local government fishing permits, fisheries patrols, etc. These are being linked with the certification, e.g., in some instances local municipalities allow only MAC Certified fishers to fish in the area. ECONOMIC INCENTIVES: The financial return and income stability of fishers is improved by supplying the consistent quality that results from certified practices, creating an incentive to continue achieving compliance. MAC Certified collectors are now given new nets, jars, etc. on a regular basis and earn more regular income by NOT using cyanide. MAC is also developing market demand for certified products that creates added incentive for collectors to continue to comply. MAC Certification will be even stronger with a cyanide detection test system in place. We are working with several research institutions and government agencies on evaluating cyanide detection technologies and systems. With the concern from retailers and hobbyists that confidence in certification is closely linked to the ability to detect cyanide by scientific methods, this is a high priority. In the meantime, as noted above, the export association in the Philippines has clearly affirmed its support for random sampling of fish in their facilities for cyanide testing. MAC Certification Process in the Philippines MAC Certification is a third party, independent certification system. This means that while MAC creates standards for the international trade in marine aquarium organisms, MAC does not itself audit companies, associations or collectors for their compliance to these standards. Instead, MAC accredits independent certifiers to undertake these assessments. Third-party certification is used worldwide to reduce the likelihood of conflict of interest and is the type of certification process that has the most confidence of consumers, industry, government and other interest groups. Because MAC Certification is a contractual transaction between the company seeking certification and the MAC Accredited certifier, information about the dates of the audit, corrective actions needed, corrective actions proposed, etc. are not made public unless both the MAC Accredited certifier and the company or collectors undergoing assessment agree to do so. Likewise, the Collection Area Management Plan (CAMP) required for MAC Certified collection areas operating under the EFM Standard can only be made public by those who have developed the management plan (i.e., the multi-stakeholder CAMP committee). The CAMP often contains proprietary information, and it is possible that the CAMP committee may ask for compensation before releasing the information. As different organizations have expressed an interest in reviewing the CAMPs, MAC is working with the CAMP committees to develop summaries of the CAMPs that will be posted on the MAC website. Import Country Update Meerwasser Symposium, Germany Svein Fossa delivered a presentation on MAC Certification at the premier gathering of marine aquarists in Germany, the Meerwasser Symposium. It was received with much interest. MAC Executive Director Paul Holthus responded to numerous questions after the presentation. Quality Marine becomes third MAC Certified importer In January 2003, MAC Accredited certifier IMS International announced that Los Angeles importer Quality Marine had achieved MAC Certified status---raising the number of operators in the North America that meet the MAC Standards to three importers and four retailers since the launch of the MAC Certification system in late 2001. For the only official and complete list of MAC Certified companies, visit the MAC website at www.aquariumcouncil.org. Marine Aquarium Hobbyist Day at the Long Beach Aquarium More than 500 marine aquarium enthusiasts attended the Marine Aquarium Hobbyist Day, hosted by the Marine Aquarium Council and the Aquarium of the Pacific at Long Beach, Calif. The Jan. 26th event focused on responsible aquarium keeping and attracted hobbyists and retailers from as far away as Arizona---an eight-hour drive. Julian Sprung delivered the keynote address, "A Responsible Marine Aquarium Hobby: From Sea to Your Home," to a standing room only crowd. Sprung is the co-author of the popular The Reef Aquarium, Volumes I and II. "When properly handled, delicate marine creatures have better survival chances in captivity, and the proper handling of living creatures is both ethical and consistent with aquarists' concern for their welfare," Sprung noted. Sprung's presence was made possible through a sponsorship by Marineland, manufacturer of aquarium filtration systems and accessories. Marine aquarium enthusiasts were treated to free admission to the Aquarium, a series of presentations on responsible aquarium keeping and a dozen informational exhibits. The talks ranged from "What to Look for in a Good Local Fish Store," by Rick Preuss, owner of MAC Certified Preuss Animal House, Haslett, Mich., to "Saving Reefs with the Marine Aquarium Trade," by Gregor Hodgson, PhD, executive director of Reef Check, an international network that monitors the global status of reefs. Upcoming Events International Marine Aquarium Conference (Chicago, May 2-4) MAC will have a booth and will be giving a presentation at the first International Marine Aquarium Conference (IMAC). David Vosseler, MAC Americas and Pacific Director, will describe the progress made to date on certification, including an update on certification requirements and the Core Standards Interpretation document. John Brandt of MASNA will share his findings from his recent trip to the Philippines, which included observations of MAC Certified exporters and collection communities. In addition, representatives of the marine aquarium industry that have already successfully passed the MAC Certification process will speak briefly on becoming MAC Certified and what MAC Certification means to them and their customers. The presentation will conclude with an extended question and answer period. 2003 China International Recreational Fisheries and Aquarium Congress & Exhibition (Shenzhen, China, November 19-23) http://www.cnfm.gov.cn/recreational/Recrea...alFisheries.htm MAC in the News "Marine Aquarium Council Certification," by Patricia Knight, Aquarium Fish Magazine, June 2003. "Zertifikate füeinen zuverlässigen, ethisch vertretbaren Handel mit Tieren für das Meerwasseraquarium," by Paul Holthus and Svein A. Fosså, 6. Interntaionales Meerwasser-Symposium: Optimierung der Pflegebedingungen (in German). "Aquarium Fish Gets 'Warranty,'" by Linda B. Bolido, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 11 March 2003. "Marine aquarium fish certification launched," Fisheries, March 2003. "Meanwhile: Collecting a clownfish without harm to coral," by Paul Spencer Sochaczewski, International Tribune Herald, 11 Feb. 2003. "MAC-Certified Marine Aquarium Fish Now Available at Retail Stores," by Paul Holthus et al., OFI Journal, February 2003. "Marine Aquarium Council Certification and the public aquarium," by Paul Holthus, EAZA News, January-March 2003. "Implementing an International Certification System for a Sustainable Marine Aquarium Trade," by Paul Holthus and Sylvia Spalding, Tropical Coasts, December 2002. "Marine Aquarium Hobbyist Day," Pacific Currents, Winter 2002. "Marine Aquarium Council," Trade Forum, November-December 2002. "MAC Certified Marine Ornamentals to Be Available Soon," by Sylvia Spalding, Freshwater and Marine Aquarium, November 2002. "Net-Training to CAMP: Community-based programmes that benefit coral reef conservation and the aquarium trade," by Peter J. Rubec and Ferdinand Cruz, OFI Journal, October 2002. "Buy a Fish Buy a Coral to save a reef and sustain a village," PETS International Magazine, October 2002. "MAC Certification Begins in Philippines," PET AGE, October 2002. "Il richiamo del MAC a un coinvolgimento dell'industria," a cura di John Dawes, HZ, September 2002 (in Italian). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To Unsubscribe Click Here: SHUT UP AND GO BACK TO BEGINNERS FORUM... LOL Link to comment
zizmans Posted April 23, 2003 Share Posted April 23, 2003 I signed up for the news letter. Seems like something most people here would want to be a part of Link to comment
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