unclenedsfishfactory.com

below is a copy of the latest MAC News...
frankly, I'm withholding judgement on MAC...
without too much comment, I CAN SAY I have not seen much of them...
the MAC certified Percula clownsish we just got were excellent...
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International Certification for the Quality and Sustainability

of Marine Aquarium Organisms . from Reef to Retail





MAC News 4th Quarter 2005





Director's Note



Achieving a balance between the supply and demand for MAC Certified organisms is one of the biggest challenges facing MAC. Therefore, MAC is focusing the bulk of its efforts on improving the volume, variety and quality of MAC Certified organisms from coastal communities in countries like the Philippines and Indonesia. Importers and retailers are continuing to voice their support in increasing numbers for a marine aquarium trade based upon quality and sustainability. They are doing this by 'signing on' to MAC Certification and submitting the "MAC Statement of Commitment and Support" in a steady flow. Over seventy (70) importers and retailers from eleven (11) countries have committed themselves to the MAC initiative, despite the limited and inconsistent supply of MAC Certified marine organisms available in 2005.



One of the main reasons for the continued interest in MAC Certification is that companies involved in the buying and selling of marine ornamentals are realizing the inherent benefits from adherence to the MAC Handling, Husbandry and Transport Standard (HHT). As Christian Cosvas, owner of Abris Sous Roche, a recently Certified retailer (France), puts it "MAC and its international Standards represent a great tool that I have adopted to fully handle marine ornamentals and to manage traceability within my facility. The MAC Certification has allowed us to take a major step toward managing our marine organisms to ensure the best conditions and the usage of best practices".



Even though companies may already have extensive experience and knowledge in the handling and husbandry of marine organisms, they have found that working to the MAC HHT Standard helps them to organize their facility operations and documentation to address issues such as traceability, mortality tracking performance and interaction with suppliers. According to Martyn Else, from the recently Certified importer Tidal Life (UK), "The MAC Certification allows us to follow in more details our activities within our facility and thus optimize our efficiency, and respond to the market's demand. We have developed a tighter relationship and better communication with our suppliers".



These improvements enable the industry to better respond to calls for more responsible and accountable trade in living marine animals. Through their demand for verified responsibility and sustainability, importers and retailers that become MAC Certified are leading a wave of change for the future of the marine ornamentals trade.



GOVERNANCE



MAC Board of Directors for 2006


The MAC Board of Directors met in December 2005. The Board elected several new members to fill vacancies created, as several Board members retired from the Board due to the 'term limits' of two consecutive three-year terms. MAC seeks to maintain a diversity of Board members representing the scope of stakeholders and geographic areas important to MAC's mission. A majority of these stakeholders must be non-industry affiliated. Steven Broad, Executive Director of TRAFFIC International, was elected as the new Chair of the MAC Board.



The current MAC Board members and the organizations with which they are affiliated are as follows:



- John Brandt, Secretary (Marine Aquarium Societies of North America)

- Steven Broad, Chair (TRAFFIC International)

- Christopher Buerner, Vice Chair, Industry (MAC Certified Importer)

- Svein Fosså (Scandinavian Pet Trade Union)

- Randolph Goodlett (American Marinelife Dealers Association)

- Scott Hajost (IUCN - World Conservation Union)
- Alex Ploeg (Ornamental Fish International)
- Joko Purwanto (AKKII - Indonesia Coral, Shell and Ornamental Fish Association)
- Jan Steffen (UNESCO Southeast Asia; TERANGI - Indonesia Coral Reef Foundation)

- Lolita Ty (Philippine Tropical Fish Export Association)

- Frank Vorhies, Treasurer pro tem (Conservation/Business Consultant)

- Doug Warmolts, Vice Chair, Non-Industry (AZA - American Zoos and Aquariums Association)

- Alan White (Coastal and Coral Reef Management Consultant)



Key MAC Board Members Retire



At the end of 2005, leading MAC Board members Bruce Bunting, Keith Davenport and Marshall Meyers retired at the end of their second three-year terms, as required by MAC By-laws. Marshall Meyers, of the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC), served as the first MAC Board Chair and was a key figure in the consultative group that led to the formation of MAC. Bruce Bunting, from World Wildlife Fund US (WWF), became the second MAC Board Chair and has been active in his guidance of MAC's growth during the past three years. Keith Davenport, from the Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association (OATA), has been heavily involved in the development of MAC from the very beginning, and has been a very active supportive Board member, especially in his role as Board Treasurer. MAC owes much to Bruce, Keith and Marshall for the time and effort they have put into developing and guiding the organization. We cannot thank them enough. We wish them all the best.



INDONESIA UPDATE



Bali Fish Collectors Receive Certificates



One hundred and thirty-nine (139) collectors, from three collectors groups and two collection areas in North Bali, took part in the first MAC Certification graduation ceremony in Indonesia on November 22, 2005. The collectors were invited on stage, set up by the local government, to receive their certificates. Six (6) exporters' representatives also attended the graduation. The certificates were presented by the Head of Buleleng District and the Director of Conservation and Marine Parks from the Marine Affairs and Fishery Department. MAC staff also manned an information stand with a display of photos and fishing gear. The event generated much local media interest. The pride and happiness shown by the collectors when they received their certificates created a feeling of hope and optimism among those that attended the event. At a time when fuel prices had just been doubled, this was the sort of boost needed by the collectors and exporters. Now more than ever, they will need to be paid a fairer price for their fish if they are to continue to participate in a sustainable and responsible fishery.



MAC Indonesia Extends its Range of Operation



MAC and its partners will expand their range of work to West Sumatra and Sulawesi next year, after conducting site scoping surveys in both areas. The selection of new areas involved the participation of MAC Certified exporters who have already established trade in these areas through their local representatives or in cooperation with local traders. The fish variety available from West Sumatra includes many species from the Indian Ocean. Around Sulawesi there are also significant collection areas for many hard coral species. In both of these areas, MAC will work with "resident rovers", who fish in the collection areas near to where they live, and also rove to collect at other sites in the surrounding waters. These collecting areas are within sixteen (16) hours boat journey of their resident villages. Collection Area Management Plans (CAMP) will also be developed for the reefs where they collect.



One of the challenges of working with roving collectors is ensuring that they are able to maintain the health of the collected organisms during the long sea journeys. Cyanide use is prohibited and net-only capture methods are required. Another issue with roving collectors is the question of how they can be encouraged to be more responsible for the marine resources in areas far from their home villages. In training them to dive more safely, collect more carefully and selectively and then transport their catch in ways that significantly reduce mortality, a responsible fishery is being developed. As MAC's operations spread into more regions of the archipelago, other collectors, suppliers and exporters are closely watching the work. MAC continues to receive expressions of interest in its work from people operating in other areas of Indonesia. With growing support from the industry, the vision of a responsible and sustainable marine aquarium trade in Indonesia is moving closer to reality.



Coral Harvest Assessment and Monitoring



In working together to develop a resource monitoring protocol for the Indonesian coral trade, MAC and Reef Check gave a presentation about the MAQTRAC protocol to the Indonesian Scientific Authority in Jakarta. Many aspects of coral harvest were discussed, including monitoring collection areas, establishing rational quotas, and developing management plans for coral collection areas. The discussion was also attended by Dr. Suharsono and Dr. Terry Done from the 'COREMAP' project of the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, and the Indonesian Government.



PHILIPPINES UPDATE



Ensuring Good Post-Harvest Quality in Marine Ornamentals



The quality of marine ornamentals depends not only on the use of the proper non-destructive collection methods, but also relies on the post-harvest handling, packing and transport. To ensure a steady increase in quality and continuity in these improvements, an extension and quality program has been recently launched in the Philippines. To address these issues a follow-up program has been developed by the MAC Philippines Extension and Quality Manager, Christiane Schmidt.



One of the first steps has been surveillance visits to collection areas to gain information on quality control and assurance issues, and then to identify and implement response measures. For example, one major issue is the stocking of organisms at the village locations after collection and before transport to exporters. In response to this, MAC and Certified collectors and companies are working together to design and develop holding facilities appropriate to different areas (e.g. floating net pens, suspended cages, and land-based facilities). To address issues arising from the lack of skills at the collection level, internships at MAC Certified exporter facilities are planned for MAC Certified collectors and the coordinators, who are responsible for screening and packing, to provide training in best post-harvest handling practices. Moreover, to tighten the link between collection areas and their customers, exporters will help collectors to understand the criteria for screening fish and the ways to avoid fish being rejected. Finally, this training period will be completed by an on-site training supervised by the MAC Area Managers and the Extension and Quality Manager.



A new module of the MAC training program for collectors is now devoted exclusively to quality issues and post-harvest handling practices. This program will be extended to include work with exporters in order to guarantee the flow of high quality MAC Certified organisms along the entire MAC Certified chain of custody.



PACIFIC UPDATE



Moving Certification Forward in the Solomon Islands



The WorldFish Center (WFC) with MAC, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the Solomon Islands Fisheries Department will undertake a three year New Zealand Agency for International Development (NZAID) supported project on capacity building. The goal of this project is to achieve a responsible marine aquarium trade that supports sustainable livelihoods and poverty reduction in parts of the Solomon Islands. The MAC related aspects of the project will include:



■ Training in the Collection Area Management Plan (CAMP) development and compliance with the MAC Ecosystem and Fisheries Management Standard (EFM) for fish collectors and community stakeholders in areas where fish are collected;

■ Training in fish collection methods, post-harvest handling, packing and other aspects of compliance with the MAC Collection, Fishing and Handling Standard (CFH), for those engaged in collection of specimens from the wild;

■ Providing advice on methods used by participants involved in aquaculture for marine ornamentals that will be in compliance with the Mariculture and Aquaculture Management Standard (MAM); and

■ Training in the process to achieve compliance with the MAC Holding, Husbandry and Transport Standard (HHT) for exporters based in Honiara.



The project will enable collectors of marine species for the aquarium trade, aquaculturists and exporters involved in the project to apply to be assessed for compliance with the relevant MAC Standards.





Certification Follow up in Fiji



Post-certification work continues with the two MAC Certified exporters to follow up on the use of the MAC Label and chain of custody issues. The exporters' main challenge relies on their compliance with existing aquarium trade policies and guidelines set by the Fijian Government, in particular the ones in relation to CITES. This includes resource-based quotas for live coral and live rock species.



EUROPE UPDATE



European Importer and Retailer Interest in MAC Certification Increases



Along with the successful Certification of six (6) European importers and retailers in 2005, many more industry operators have publicly announced their interest to become MAC Certified, by signing the "Statement of Commitment and Support" (SOC). Three exporters from three countries, as well as eight (8) importers from five (5) countries and six (6) retailers from three countries have signed this public statement of interest in MAC Certification. All companies that have signed the SOC are listed on the MAC website at http://www.aquariumcouncil.org/subpage. ... &section=3.

The total number of SOC signers now stands at one hundred and thirty two (132) companies from twenty-three (23) countries.



To facilitate the submission of the SOC to the MAC Secretariat, this form can be completed online from the MAC website in English, French, German, Italian or Spanish at: http://www.aquariumcouncil.org/subpage. ... &section=3.



SIZOO: the Spanish Pet Industry Trade Show



In October 2005, MAC was invited and supported by the SIZOO's organizers to participate in this major biannual Spanish pet trade show in Barcelona, which included a special aquarium seminar. For aquarium industry operators at the seminar, the MAC Executive Director, Paul Holthus, made a presentation on the MAC Standards and outlined the steps necessary to follow in order to become MAC Certified. In addition, he was interviewed for several Spanish publications and was able to meet many of the aquarium professionals attending this event.



NORTH AMERICA UPDATE



MAC at Backer Christmas Pet Industry Trade Show 2005



Thanks to the generous support of H.H. Backer Associates Inc., MAC attended the annual Backer Christmas Trade Show with its booth and presentations at the Backer Industry Seminar Series, in Chicago in October 2005. Mark Schreffler, MAC Certified Supply-Demand Director, participated in a co-presentation with Joe Olenik from Hoffer's Tropic Life Pets (Wisconsin). Olenik presented a paper on reducing mortalities in freshwater and marine fish, while Schreffler focused his presentation on the status of organism handling and transport in the Philippines and Indonesia. The seminar attracted a large audience and many of them took opportunities after the session to approach both presenters for further questions.



This trade show was well attended with a record turnout of both visitors and exhibitors including three MAC Certified importers and one MAC Certified exporter. The MAC booth attracted a large number of visitors. Attending retailers also expressed interest in the MAC Certification program, subscribed to the MAC News and signed the MAC Statement of Commitment and Support (SOC).





A Live Interview Evening at Tropical Resources Website



Tropical Resources dedicated the month of December to Conservation Efforts. The Tropical Resources website chose to share one of their special live chat interview evenings with MAC Executive Director, Paul Holthus.



On December 17th at 8:00 pm EST, Cindy Williams, owner of Tropical Resources, welcomed Holthus in the chat room. After conducting a live interview about MAC activities and programs, several marine hobbyists joined the discussion to share their growing interest towards MAC.



Thanks to Tropical Resources and this exclusive pleasant evening, MAC was able to familiarize the website members about the existence of sustainable reef management through a responsible trade.

From now on, the participants know that they can seek MAC Certified marine organisms at their local retailer and thus become supporting pillars of MAC and its Certification program growth.



For the ones who were unable to participate in this live interview, Tropical Resources and MAC invite you to visit the Tropical Resources website where the interview has been reported, at:

http://tropicalresources.net/phpBB2/interview_mac.php.



COMMUNICATIONS AND OUTREACH

German Version of the MAC Hobbyist Kit Now Available


For the German speaking countries and their hobbyists, the German language version of the MAC Hobbyist Kit is now available. The Hobbyist Kit is designed to raise awareness among marine aquarium keepers and clubs about the issues affecting the future of the marine aquarium hobby, as well as introducing MAC and creating an understanding of MAC Certification. German speaking hobbyists and clubs and others are invited to contact MAC at info@aquariumcouncil.org in order to receive a copy.



Clubs can use the kit to focus a meeting on MAC Certification and the role of hobbyists in ensuring the marine ornamental trade is responsible and sustainable. This kit includes a "PowerPoint" presentation about MAC and its programs, an accompanying narrative document, a MAC background file, a marine ornamental trade fact sheet, a FAQ on the MAC International Standards and a survey to be completed after the meeting. The MAC Hobbyist Kit is also available in English and French, upon request at info@aquariumcouncil.org.



MAC and the European Union Aquarium Curators (EUAC)



MAC presented its programs and progress at the EUAC yearly meeting, held at the Oceanario de Lisboa, Portugal (September 27 to October 2), where more than one hundred and thirty (130) public aquarium specialists from twenty five (25) European countries met.


As part of the opening session dedicated to conservation issues, the MAC Communications Director, Nathalie Gamain, made a presentation on "Public Aquariums and Marine Aquarium Council Certification: A Partnership for Ensuring a Sustainable Marine Ornamentals Trade". This presentation focused on the existing and future synergy between MAC and the European public aquarium community.



To ensure that this partnership develops and maintains momentum, a MAC-EUAC working group met for the first time to link the public aquarium community in order to move towards a sustainable marine ornamental trade. Specific actions are being initiated by this working group: supporting MAC Certification through acquisition policies, studying the public aquarium demand versus the hobbyist market demand and determining the role of public aquariums as importers that can support MAC Certification. Some institutions, such as the Oceanario de Lisboa have already started to adapt their policies. "When our Institution needs to populate its tanks with marine ornamental organisms we prefer to contact MAC Certified operators in Europe. This is part of our quality seeking strategy and also supports a more responsible marine ornamental trade, which we try to enhance at our aquarium", says Nuria Baylina, Curator of the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) award-winning Oceanario de Lisboa.

Another action covers increasing public awareness about the marine ornamental trade issues through exhibits. A General Statement of Support has been developed specifically for public aquariums to publicly announce their support toward MAC Certification and its international Standards. This form is available upon request at info@aquariumcouncil.org.



MAC Debuts at the Underwater World Image Festival



The 32nd Underwater World Image Festival, held from October 27-30 in Antibes, France, authorized MAC to distribute information to international press representatives and display MAC brochures at each exhibitor's booth. This gave MAC the opportunity to enhance its presence and outreach in France, but also to international marine hobbyists who attended this annual event. The MAC Communications Director, Nathalie Gamain, held meetings with press representatives and organizations, in order to familiarize them with MAC Certification and the international Standards.



The UK Public Aquarium Community Raises its Interest for MAC



Dr Heather Koldewey, Senior Curator, Aquarium of the Zoological Society of London, gave a presentation on behalf of MAC at the National Aquarium Workshop hosted by Anglesey Sea Zoo, Wales (November 19-20). The conference had over one hundred (100) delegates representing the British and Irish public aquarium community. The presentation "Improving the Sustainability of the Marine Ornamental Trade through Certification and Legislation" addressed approaches to increasing sustainability in the marine ornamental trade, including MAC Certification and the CITES legislation for seahorses. The MAC Public Aquarium Resource Kit was promoted in the presentation and then distributed to interested participants. The UK public aquarium community is developing a proposal for a tour of UK aquariums to promote MAC when there are a greater number of MAC Certified British retailers.







CERTIFICATION UPDATE



Test Certifications Underway against MAC MAM Standard



Test certifications against the MAC Mariculture and Aquaculture Management Standard (MAM) in Hawaii and the UK are to take place around this end of 2005. The results of this work will be reviewed by the MAC Standards and Certification Advisory Committee (MACSCAC) in early 2006. Following this review by the MACSCAC, the MAM Standard will be released for public comment, prior to be finally published in the first quarter of 2006.



In addition to the complete MAC MAM Standard there is also a version enabling those facilities which already hold the MAC HHT Certification to include their 'in house' culturing of marine ornamentals to their existing scope of Certification.



For further information, or if you wish to be sent a copy of the MAM Standard when it is issued for public comment, please contact Peter Scott, MAC Certification System Director at peter.scott@aquariumcouncil.org.



MAC in the NEWS


"MAC Certified Organisms Available from more Countries". Nathalie Gamain and Paul Holthus. Reef Art. Autumn 2005: 39-43. [In Italian]



"Standards for a Sustainable Marine Aquarium Trade". Pet in Europe. 7/8, 2005:10.



"Healthy Reefs, Healthy Fish, Healthy Hobby". Svein A. Fosså (MAC advertisement). Tropical Fish Hobbyist. October 2005.



"Free Fish Care Seminar". Pet Age. Backer Christmas Pet Industry Trade Show Program. October 2005. Page 132.



"Healthy Reefs, Healthy Fish, and a Healthy Hobby, Through MAC Certification for the Marine Ornamentals Trade". Paul Holthus. Koralle. N°35. October - November 2005:4-5.

[In German]



"Interview: Chris Buerner". Koralle. N° 35. October - November 2005: 11-13. [In German]



"Ratusan Nelayan Ikan Hias Bali Terima Sertifikasi Internasional" (Hundreds of Ornamental Fish Collectors Receive International Certification). Bali Post. November 21, 2005. [In Indonesian]



"Perlu Kebijakan Tepat, Cairkan Konflick Kepentingan Permanfacta Laut" (The Right Polices are Needed to Address the Conflicting Interest in Marine Collecting). Bali Post. November 22, 2005. [In Indonesian]



"Tiga Kelompak Nelayan Ikan Hias Terima Sertifikasi" (Three Ornamental Collectors Groups Receive Certification). Bisnis Bali. November 23, 2005. [In Indonesian]



"Nelayan Buleleng Terima Sertifikasi Internasional" (Collectors from Buleleng Receive International Certification). Warta Bali. November 23, 2005. [In Indonesian]


"Marine Nature Lovers Strive to Preserve Bali's Reefs". Jakarta Post. November 26, 2005.



"Tracking the Ecological Sustainability of the Marine Ornamental Trade". Dr Domingo Ochavillo, Dr. Gregor Hodgson and Stuart Green. Tropical Fish Hobbyist. December 2005: 82-86.



"Marine Companies Earn Certification". Pet Product News. December 2005.



"Transforming the Marine ornamental Trade: a Major MAC Certification Progress in Europe". Christiane Schmidt and Nathalie Gamain. Pets International Magazine. Volume 17. N°7. December 2005: 78-79.



"Interview of Paul Holthus, MAC Executive Director". Cindy Williams and Paul Holthus. Tropical Resources (on line). December 17, 2005. http://tropicalresources.net/phpBB2/interview_mac.php



"Berubah, Pola Penangkapan Ikan Hias di Buleleng" (Changing, the collection method of ornamental fish in Buleleng District). Bali Post. December 22, 2005; 13. [In Indonesian]



"Certification Process: the Industry Operator's View". Christiane Schmidt and Peter Scott. Koralle. N°36. December-January 2005-06: 10-11. [In German]





UPCOMING EVENTS



January 20-22: Expozoo 2006 (Porto, Portugal)

January 23-25: 3rd Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts and Islands (Paris, France)

January 29 - February 2: 3rd World Ocean Network Meeting (Boulogne sur Mer, France)

February 13-16: Marine Ornamentals '06 (Las Vegas, NV, USA)

March 23-25: Global Pet Expo 2006 (San Diego, CA, USA)

April 7-9: Pet Industry Spring Trade Show 2006 (Atlantic City, NJ, USA)

April 28-30: International Marine Aquarium Conference (Chicago, IL, USA)

May 11-14: INTERZOO 2006 (Nuremberg, Germany)