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Dear Coral List, <br>
<br>
Regarding the discussion about the effect of aquarium fish and coral
collection on coral reefs, you may be interested to learn about the
Marine Aquarium Council (MAC) - an international organization that brings
together stakeholders concerned about the future of reefs and the marine
aquarium trade. <br>
<br>
Marine aquarium industry participants, environment NGOs, government
agencies, public aquariums and other stakeholders are working together
through MAC to develop international standards, certification and
labeling for sustainability in the collection, culture and commerce in
marine aquarium organisms.<br>
<br>
The collection and export of marine aquarium organisms can be based on
quality and sustainability and achieve a balance between reef health,
aquarium animal collection, and the local and national economic benefits.
This is proved by the many successful industry operations that use high
quality, non-destructive practices, maintaining healthy reefs and
providing aquarium organisms with minimal mortality. <br>
<br>
Most aquarists would prefer to support this kind of industry. However,
there is currently no system in place to identify and document quality
products and sustainable practices and allow the consumer to reward
these. Independent standards, certification and labeling are the most
useful means to ensure that the market requires and supports quality
products and sustainable practices in the marine ornamentals
industry.<br>
<br>
The demand from informed consumers for sustainable products and practices
creates an incentive for industry to adopt and adhere to. Market
assessments show that there is a strong demand for environmental
responsibility in the marine aquarium industry and that this demand will
increase rapidly when there is a comprehensive, international,
independent certification system. <br>
<br>
MAC is an international multi-stakeholder institution that brings
together aquarists, the aquarium industry, conservation organizations,
government agencies, and public aquariums to:<br>
<font face="Symbol">·<x-tab> </x-tab></font>Develop
standards for quality products and sustainable practices;<br>
<font face="Symbol">·<x-tab> </x-tab></font>Establish
a system to certify compliance with these standards and label the
results; and<br>
<font face="Symbol">·<x-tab> </x-tab></font>Create
consumer demand and confidence for certification and labeling. <br>
<br>
In addition, MAC is:<br>
<font face="Symbol">·<x-tab> </x-tab></font>Raising
public awareness of the role of the marine aquarium industry and hobby in
conserving coral reefs and other marine ecosystems;<br>
<font face="Symbol">·<x-tab> </x-tab></font>Assembling
and disseminating accurate data relevant to the collection and care of
ornamental marine life; and<br>
<font face="Symbol">·<x-tab> </x-tab></font>Encouraging
responsible husbandry by the industry and hobby through education and
training.<br>
<br>
The Council is now fully established and recognized as the lead
organization for developing and coordinating efforts to ensure
sustainability in the international trade of marine ornamentals. The
rapidly growing MAC Network consists of more than 2700 individuals in 60
countries from industry, hobby, government and environmental
organizations. Network members receive regular information via the
"MAC News" bulletins every 2-3 months and via the MAC
website
(<a href="http://www.aquariumcouncil.org/" eudora="autourl">www.aquariumcouncil.org</a>)
where you can fill out a simple form to join the Network (at no cost).
The broad basis for MAC support is reflected in the current membership of
the MAC Board, which includes:<br>
<font face="Symbol">·<x-tab> </x-tab></font>American
Marinelife Dealers Association (AMDA)<br>
<font face="Symbol">·<x-tab> </x-tab></font>American
Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA)<br>
<font face="Symbol">·<x-tab> </x-tab></font>Foundation
for Peoples of the South Pacific International (FSPI)<br>
<font face="Symbol">·<x-tab> </x-tab></font>Indonesia
Ecolabeling Institute (LEI)<br>
<font face="Symbol">·<x-tab> </x-tab></font>IUCN
- the World Conservation Union<br>
<font face="Symbol">·<x-tab> </x-tab></font>Indonesia
Coral, Shell and Ornamental Fish Association (AKKII)<br>
<font face="Symbol">·<x-tab> </x-tab></font>International
Marinelife Alliance (IMA)<br>
<font face="Symbol">·<x-tab> </x-tab></font>Marine
Aquarium Societies of North America (MASNA)<br>
<font face="Symbol">·<x-tab> </x-tab></font>Ornamental
Aquatic Trade Association
(OATA)<x-tab> </x-tab><br>
<font face="Symbol">·<x-tab> </x-tab></font>Ornamental
Fish International (OFI)<br>
<font face="Symbol">·<x-tab> </x-tab></font>Pet
Industry Joint Advisory Council
(PIJAC)<x-tab> </x-tab><br>
<font face="Symbol">·<x-tab> </x-tab></font>Philippine
Tropical Fish Exporters Association (PTFEA)<br>
<font face="Symbol">·<x-tab> </x-tab></font>The
Nature Conservancy (TNC)<x-tab> </x-tab><br>
<font face="Symbol">·<x-tab> </x-tab></font>World
Wildlife Fund (WWF)<br>
<br>
In addition, MAC has close partnerships with organizations such as:
UNEP-WCMC, the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network/Reef Check, SewWeb,
and others, and regularly participates in the ICRI Coordination and
Planning Committee.<br>
<br>
Developing the standards of practice and certification system is at the
core of MAC's efforts. Following several years of work by stakeholders
around the world, the working draft of the standards was produced. These
are now being tested and the Certification will be launched as
operational at the Marine Ornamentals Confernce in Orlando Florida in
late November 2001.<br>
<br>
By working with MAC, the responsible aquarist can support the
conservation of coral reefs and ensure the long-term supply of healthy
reef organisms through sustainable practices. Many environment groups are
strong supporters of developing an environmentally sound industry and
hobby that minimizes fish mortality, conserves reef habitat and ensures
sustainable reef-based income generating possibilities in developing
countries. The world's largest conservation organizations believe in this
and are working through MAC to ensure the long-term future of a
sustainable marine aquarium trade and hobby. <br>
<br>
If you would like to keep in touch with these developments, I would
encourage you to visit our web site:
<a href="http://www.aquariumcouncil.org/" eudora="autourl">www.aquariumcouncil.org</a>
and submit the short form to subscribe to the MAC network.<br>
<br>
Sincerely,<br>
<br>
Paul Holthus <br>
Executive Director <br>
Marine Aquarium Council<br>
<br>
923 Nu’uanu Ave., Honolulu, Hawaii USA 96817 <br>
Phone: (+1 808) 550-8217 Fax: (+1 808) 550-8317 <br>
Email: info@aquariumcouncil.org <br>
Website: <a href="http://www.aquariumcouncil.org/" eudora="autourl">www.aquariumcouncil.org</a></html>
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