Fish ‘N’ Chips

Director’s Note:

Dear sustainable marine aquarium trade friends and colleagues,

Since June 1998, when I took on the challenge of setting up the Marine Aquarium Council (MAC), many have joined in the implementation of the MAC mission in support of the reefs, fisheries, coastal communities and responsible businesses that will benefit from a sustainable marine ornamentals trade.

Our collective efforts are progressing well, with increasing uptake of the MAC international Standards and Certification scheme by the marine ornamentals collectors, communities and companies around the world. The growth and development of MAC over the past nine (9) years and the success in implementing our mission reflect the dedication and commitment that we have all brought to the complex task of transforming the marine aquarium fishery and trade.

Please accept my appreciation for your support and involvement in this. Without you, the achievements of MAC would not have been possible. Special thanks are owed to the hard working professionals of the MAC team, who have dedicated themselves to the difficult work we have taken on, and to the board members who have provided guidance and direction over the years. The establishment and growth of MAC has been made possible by many donors, and they deserve our gratitude for their support to our challenging and complex mission.

Most of all, I would like to thank the communities, collectors and companies committed to ensuring that the marine aquarium trade and fishery are both responsible and sustainable - and the aquarists who support and encourage them. These are the individuals and enterprises providing the vision and leadership for the future.

Please accept my best wishes for the continued success of MAC in these important efforts that require all of us to work together towards the common goal of a responsible, sustainable marine ornamentals trade.

Paul Holthus, MAC Executive Director and President (June 1998-June 2007)

Philippines Update:

Participation of the US Ambassador to the Philippines in the MAC Certification Graduation Ceremony and Sites Visits

In celebration of World Environment Day, the US Ambassador to the Philippines, Hon. Kristie A. Keeney, visited several conservation related projects being supported by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in northern Palawan, including MAC project called “Transforming the Marine Aquarium Trade” (TMAT). Ambassador Kenney’s exposure to TMAT started with the graduation ceremonies of sixty-six (66) newly MAC Certified collectors and traders from three collection areas:

• Tara and Marcilla in the Municipality of Coron, and
• New Busuanga in the Municipality of Busuanga.

All three groups received from the US Ambassador their MAC Certificates for their communities and sites’ respective compliance with the MAC Ecosystem and Fishery Management (EFM) and the Collection, Fishing and Holding (CFH) international Standards. Then, the Ambassador went to the Siete Picados’ Marine Protected Sanctuary for a demonstration of the net collection methods used by MAC Certified collectors. MAC provides secured permission to demonstrate net collection in the Marine Protected Areas from the concerned authorities- as collection is not allowed in MPAs. Her journey ended with the observation of the shipment preparation of MAC Certified fish from the three collection areas to the MAC Certified exporter, Aquarium Habitat. She was accompanied by Mr. Daniel Moore, Chief of the USAID Office for Energy and Environment.

Philippines Certified Industry Group (CIG) Meeting

With Mr. Duncan Leadbitter as a guest, the Asia Pacific Director of the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), the first 2007 CIG meeting was held on March 26 in Manila. With an audience of fourteen (14) participants, Mr. Leadbitter shared his experiences on his role at MSC in developing organizational policies on fisheries issues and its organization’s tools used to reach its regional stakeholders.

Certification Update:

MAC Holds its Second Certification Review Workshop

Since the second half of 2006, MAC has been conducting a systematic review and revision of its Certification System. The review aims to improve Certification System’s efficiency, practicality and acceptance by key stakeholders (in particular the fishers and their communities) - and thereby expand the uptake of the certification and its conservation benefits. The MAC Certification System consists of the MAC international Standards, the standard-setting and the certification methodologies, the accreditation process, and the supporting guidance and operational documents for these functions. A thorough and effective review and revision of the MAC Certification System is essential to the long-term credibility and effectiveness of MAC, and for MAC compliance with the International Social and Environmental Accreditation and Labeling (ISEAL) Alliance Code of Good Practices. In mid-May 2007, the senior MAC team along with external certification system experts participated in a MAC Certification System workshop. The objectives of this workshop were to:

• Consolidate the lessons MAC had learned over the past eight (8) years in the development and implementation of the MAC Certification;
• Develop a road map towards a full system revision; and
• Prioritize activities according to the needs and availability of resources.

Based on the results of the workshop, MAC will be able to more effectively implement the certification and achieve its mission and the conservation benefits of transforming the marine aquarium trade to sustainability.

Updated Form for the MAC Statement of Commitment and Support (SOC)

During the recent MAC Certification System Review workshop, MAC revised several procedures and documents. Among them is MAC Statement of Commitment and Support (SOC) form, which has been updated.

MAC realized that some of the SOC signers and their respective contact information were out of date. Also it was decided to start enforcing the validity of this form and regulating its renewal with a new procedure. The new form states clearly the validity of one year from the date of signature and the opportunity to renew the form for one more year when the signer has not managed to achieve certification within the first year. Based on experience, the period of two (2) years should provide every SOC signer a reasonable time frame to either achieve the MAC Certification or at least to start the certification process.

To remind all SOC signers of the renewal of their statement, MAC will send out an email to all current SOC signers explaining the procedure along with the updated form. Additionally, the requirements listed in the SOC were refined in order to include the most important actions required to demonstrate support to MAC and its Certification scheme, along to illustrate the entity’s commitment to a sustainable marine aquarium trade.

The main functions of the SOC shall be to state publicly a signer’s interest and support toward MAC programs, and officially inform MAC that the signer is interested in becoming MAC Certified. Then the respective contact information is inserted in the page dedicated to SOC signers on the MAC web site at the following link: http://www.aquariumcouncil.org/soclist.asp. In parallel, a MAC representative contacts the SOC signer to guide them through the certification process.

MAC Certification Preparation Kit Available in French

With the launch last January of the MAC Certification Preparation Kit for importers and retailers, MAC is now pleased to announce that this kit is available in French. Other European translations are also under way with Italian and Portuguese versions being the next in line.

This kit will assist interested companies (which have signed the MAC Statement of Commitment and Support) in getting ready for the certification assessment by a third party MAC Accredited certifier. The facilitated certification process resulting from the use of this Kit should lead to an increasing number of importers and retailers achieving MAC Certification - making the way for an increase in the volume of MAC Certified organisms available in Europe and North America.

To receive a copy of the kit please contact MAC at info@aquariumcouncil.org, or visit MAC web site at: http://www.aquariumcouncil.org/Aquariumindustry.html.

Outreach Update:

New MAC Web Site Available

At the end of May, MAC launched its new web site, which has already received very supportive feedback. For instance, Miriam Winkels-Ryan from the MAC Certified importer A.V. Waterweelde expressed her enthusiasm “Your new web site looks wonderful… such an impressive presentation”. With the aim to provide current data and information in the most practical way, the new structure should enable MAC main stakeholders to find information related to their activities, with the opportunity to download and/or read most of MAC outreach and certification documents, as well as completing online forms (i.e. MAC Statement of Commitment and Support, MAC Hobbyist Clubs Declaration of Support, MAC Public Aquarium Declaration of Support, Standard Review and Comments Form).

From the homepage’s top banner, the visitor can easily access general information about MAC, the marine ornamental trade, its Certification scheme and international standards, along with general information such as the different kits available to its stakeholders. The site map is also available along with contact information about the organization main offices. The left side menu provides the opportunity for MAC international stakeholders (aquarium keepers, aquarium industry, public aquariums, conservation organizations, governments, education institutions, certifiers, media, donors and supporters and interested individuals to collaborate with MAC using the Human Resources section). Now anyone can easily locate his needed information and tools. For instance entities looking to become MAC Certified can access from the “Aquarium Industry” section their respective activity (such as exporters, importers and retailers). There they can download the Certification Preparation Kit; or for Public Aquariums the tools they could use to develop specific exhibit and seminar about the marine ornamental trade and the MAC Certification scheme. A specific highlight has been given to the MAC Certified sites and communities. From the MAC Certified entities map, visitors can access to a description of the communities’ lifestyle and marine ornamental collection practices, along with a list of the species collected in their respective area. The bottom of the homepage will facilitate the industry search for MAC Certified entities and accredited certifiers, with direct link to those lists. With a focus on sharing the latest news in an optimized way, visitors can also access the MAC News from the homepage, as well as subscribing to it. Additionally, the homepage continues to feature the latest events and news, with this month featuring the recent visit of the US Ambassador to the Philippines, Hon. Kristie A. Keeney, to MAC Certified sites and communities in the Philippines.

MAC plans to continue updating the web site continuously in order to share current information with its international stakeholders, and facilitate its outreach programs. Another step will also include the translation of the web site content into the main languages: French, German, Italian, Spanish and Tagalog. Volunteers’ translators are always welcome!

The First Hobbyist Clubs to Sign the Declaration of Support

With the launch of the MAC Hobbyist Club Declaration of Support in English and French this last quarter, several clubs have publicly stated their support toward MAC. Two clubs in France - the Club Languedocien d’Aquariophilie Marine (CLAM) and the Club d’Aquariophilie France - have both developed a continuous collaboration and support toward MAC with seminars and hobbyists events’ organizations. Another club in Australia, My Aquarium also recently signed this Declaration.

MAC encourages other supportive clubs to sign the online form available at the following page: http://www.aquariumcouncil.org/hdeclarationsupport.html. At its reception, MAC will automatically add a link from its web site to the club one, and assist the club in sensitizing its members and stakeholders to a sustainable and responsible marine ornamental trade.

MAC Certified Industry Operators Promoting MAC Certification

MAC Certified industry operators have strengthened their role to promote the MAC Certification scheme among their customers and suppliers. For instance, MAC Certified importer Quality Marine (Los Angeles, USA) has recently included in its Spring 2007 newsletter - the QM Current - an article announcing to its retailers the launch of the MAC Handling, Husbandry and Transport (HHT) Certification Preparation Kit. Other approaches taken include the insertion of the MAC Certified label on communications tools, such as Tropical Marine Centre (UK) with its booth; or other entities with MAC outreach materials in outgoing shipments, stock lists or other means of communications. By encouraging more retailers to seek certification, importers can really support the industry by making MAC Certified organisms available to a larger number of hobbyists. For more information on how your MAC Certified facility can promote certification, please contact MAC at info@aquariumcouncil.org.

Indonesia Update:

Field Survey in the Mentawai Islands District

The Mentawai islands district is located approximately one hundred thirty (130) km from the west coast of Sumatra Island. The four largest islands are the Siberut, Sipora, North Pagai and South Pagai Islands. Transportation to the main islands of Mentawai is served by ferries from Padang, the capital city of west Sumatra. The journey usually takes twelve (12) hours if the sea is calm. MAC, with its local partners, conducted site scoping in this area from March 12-24 as the Mentawai islands are known as important collection areas, in particular for the Powder Blue tang (Acanthurus leucosternon) and the Maroon Clownfish (Premnas biaculeatus). During the survey, it was recorded that thirty-six (36) species are being collected, mostly by the collectors roving from the west coast of Sumatra.

Development of a Management Plan for the Padang Collection Areas (West Sumatra)

MAC started working in the Padang area early this year. The first community workshop was held in May, and was attended by representatives of the Padang collectors, local suppliers, community leaders, and the local government of Padang. During the workshop, the concept of sustainable marine ornamental fisheries management was discussed. As a follow-up to the workshop, the participants were interested in the development of a management plan for marine ornamental fisheries in the Padang area. The work plan was developed together with local collectors, local suppliers and local government, starting with capacity-building for both the MAC Collection, Fishing and Handling (CFH) and the Ecosystem and Fishery Management (EFM)) international Standards. In mid-May to mid-June, over thirty (30) collectors were trained in collecting and post-harvest techniques, which included screening, packing and holding the fish in the temporary holding facilities, before shipping them to the exporters’ facilities in Jakarta or Bali. Besides technical training, collector groups and local traders also received business training from MAC local partner, the Conservation and Community Investment Forum (CCIF).

Pulau Seribu Management Plan to Cover Wider Marine Resources

Training for collecting techniques and post-harvest continues in Pulau Seribu, as over twenty (20) collectors were trained there early this year. The Pulau Seribu government will also give financial support to the local suppliers of Pulau Seribu, by helping them to upgrade their holding facilities. The implementation of the marine ornamental fish management plan for Pulau Seribu District has now been replicated by the local government to cover other marine resources, including fishery management for the live reef fish food trade. One of the management tools being replicated includes harvest monitoring using logbooks. The management plan, which was originally developed only for marine ornamental fish, is now being updated and revised to become the management plan for other marine resources. MAC local non-governmental organization partner, the TERANGI Foundation, has requested MAC to assist them in facilitating the process of developing the management plan for marine resources in the DKI Jakarta Province.

MAC International Representatives Visit MAC Certified Sites, Communities and Exporters in Bali

From May 14-23, MAC representatives from Europe, North America and the Philippines toured the operations and facilities of some of the MAC Certified collection areas, collector associations and exporters in Bali. Those visits and meetings provided a great opportunity for both parties (MAC and Certified communities and exporters) to discuss the implementation of the MAC Certification scheme. This allowed MAC representatives to understand better the activities of each site and structure visited.

Pacific Update:

Fiji Stakeholders Meeting

On May 7, MAC attended the regular Aquarium Trade Stakeholder Meeting organized by the Fiji Fisheries Department to discuss current issues, including the live rock situation and a local non-governmental organization’s new coral culturing project. The live rock situation encouraged suggestions to be given about the necessity to gradually phase out the collection of wild harvested live rock in favor of cultured rock. Indeed, cultured rock has lately gained better market acceptance, even if this activity still represents additional investment and costs for exporters compared to wild collection. In addition, there were some concerns about the tagging issue of coral cultured by this local NGO as only F2 generation is CITES exempt. These concerns will be transmitted to the Fiji CITES Scientific Council for further consideration.

Creating Rural Livelihoods from Sustainable Culture of Ornamentals in the Solomon Islands

After two years of implementation of this project, a review meeting will be held in July. All partners should provide an update about the activities’ past years, and the forecasted ones for this coming year. MAC will continue to assist local communities in capacity building with training in best practices and the development of a Mariculture Area Management Plan to achieve MAC Certification. This meeting is important for the island due to the post-tsunami situation in Gizo. This crisis encouraged the World Fish Center to conduct assessments on all project sites to determine the impact of the tsunami on the coral reef ecosystem.

Europe Update:

MAC Invited to the First International Symposium of Coral Husbandry for Public Aquaria

As part of a series of specific symposiums for the public aquariums community, the Burgers’ Zoo in Arnhem (the Netherlands) hosted from April 16-21 the first international Symposium of Coral Husbandry in Public Aquaria. With more than one hundred sixty (160) participants, this first symposium gathered all worldwide institutions having an interest in coral issues: propagation, husbandry, coral reef restoration and conservation. MAC was invited to present the “Role of Public Aquaria to Enhance a Sustainable Coral Trade” within the session dedicated to coral conservation. Through her presentation, MAC Communications Director, Nathalie Gamain, highlighted public aquaria’s role as a stakeholder to ensure that the marine ornamental trade is sustainable and responsible. In the past years, MAC has indeed strengthened its collaboration with aquaria through specific orientations. With the growth of aquaculture and mariculture activities among aquaria this past decade, the given presentation also provided additional information about the latest MAC international Standard on the Mariculture and Aquaculture Management (MAM) as well an insight of the actions taken by aquaria worldwide to enhance a sustainable coral trade, from general support to conservation, education and sensitization programs. This international symposium also provided the opportunity for the European Union Aquarium Curators (EUAC) MAC working group to organize a meeting. It focused on the 2007 objectives taken by the working group on both conservation and education issues.

North America Update:

MAC Exhibits at the International Marine Aquarium Conference (IMAC)

MAC continued its annual participation at the IMAC 2007-Chicago, in Rosemont, Illinois. During June 1-3, MAC North America Director, John Brandt, provided information at the MAC booth about the MAC Certification scheme and MAC progress in general, along with handing out promotional materials to interested hobbyists and industry operators.

World Ocean Day Celebration at the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay

From June 8 to 10, in honor of World Ocean Day (June 8), the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada sensitized its visitors about the marine ornamental trade and MAC programs to ensure a sustainable management of coral reefs through best practices and a responsible trade. At this occasion, MAC brochures and other outreach materials were distributed.

Liz’s Notes: Yes, this is a bit old, but it still needed to be published so here it is. Sadly, it’s the last one I’ve gotten. I’ve confirmed with the MAC site and it’s the last one on there as well. I don’t know if there will be anymore. If/when I get more, I’ll publish them. Editing was limited to spelling and grammar corrections and formatting. Remember to visit the MAC web site at www.aquariumcouncil.org for more information.

Director’s Note:

MAC’s mission is to conserve coral reefs and other marine ecosystems by creating standards and certification for those engaged in the collection and care of ornamental marine life from reef to aquarium. MAC works to deliver on its mission based on measurable outputs, some of which are outlined below.

The facts speak for themselves. MAC Certified collection areas and collectors are supplying an increased volume, variety and quality of marine ornamentals from managed reefs and fisheries, using environmentally sound practices that support sustainable livelihoods. MAC Certified marine ornamentals from culturing facilities are also now available. An increasing number of MAC Certified exporters, importers and retailers are delivering MAC Certified marine aquarium organisms to hobbyists - and demand for MAC Certified marine ornamentals is growing. Marine aquarists and the marine ornamental industry now have a choice in shaping the future of the hobby and industry.

• Reef area for which management is being developed: 22,947 hectares of reef (in the Philippines and Indonesia alone)
• MAC Certified reef area, i.e. reef management in place: 15,085 hectares of reef (in the Philippines and Indonesia alone)
• Number of collection areas where MAC is working: 14 (Philippines: 10, Indonesia: 4)
• Number of MAC Certified collection areas: 16 (Philippines: 7, Indonesia: 4, Fiji: 5)
• Number of collectors and traders trained in non-destructive collection methods and prepared for third party certification assessment: 718 (Philippines: 483, Indonesia: 235)
• Number of MAC Certified collectors and traders: 426 (Philippines: 247, Indonesia: 179)
• Number of collectors, traders, local government units and NGO workers trained in business skills: 382 (Philippines/Indonesia total)
• Number of MAC Certified organisms from MAC Certified Collection Areas to exporters: 132,473 (Philippines/Indonesia total, July-Dec 2006)
• Percentage of MAC Certified organisms exported: In Fiji, shipments from one exporter to the US are regularly 100% MAC Certified organisms
• Mortality (average fish mortality rate of MAC Certified deliveries to exporters, July-Dec 2006): Philippines: 0.31% Indonesia: 3.0%
• Number of MAC Certified species available: 110 species of MAC Certified fish were recently available in the US
• Number of MAC Certified exporters, importers and retailers: 43 total (Indonesia 6, Philippines 11, Fiji 2, Singapore 3, Canada 1, France 6, Germany 1, Netherlands 2, UK 3, US 8)
• Number of MAC Certified culture facilities: 3 total (UK 1, US 2)

The communities, collectors and companies that have made the commitment to be sustainable and responsible providers of marine ornamentals deserve your support. The marine ornamental trade and hobby can be known either as contributing to the destruction of coral reefs, the poor treatment and death of fish, and the poverty, disability and possibly even the death of marine ornamentals collectors - or it can support the conservation of reefs, the sustainable management of marine ornamental stocks, the use of best practices to ensure fish health and sustainable livelihoods for impoverished fishers in rural villages. The choice is yours.

Message from the Chair of the MAC Board of Directors:

Dear MAC friends and colleagues,

As Chair of the Marine Aquarium Council Board of Directors, I would like to join Paul in announcing his departure as MAC’s Executive Director and President in June 2007. After nine years with MAC, Paul is moving on to new challenges and opportunities.

On behalf of the MAC Board of Directors, I would like to express our enormous appreciation for Paul’s accomplishments in establishing and growing MAC and the MAC Certification system. Paul took up the challenge of starting MAC in June 1998 and worked as the sole MAC staff person for several years, formally setting up the organization, working with stakeholders around the world, drafting the initial MAC Standards, and raising funds for MAC to grow and fulfill its large and complex mission. Under Paul’s leadership, the first international standards for a live animal fishery/trade were launched in 2001, extending across the entire chain of custody of this global industry from reef to retail.

From a one-person start-up organization, Paul has grown MAC to an international company with staff and activities in Fiji and other Pacific Islands, France, Germany, Indonesia, the Philippines, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Stakeholders from many more countries contact MAC regularly to request assistance as well. Paul has not only advanced MAC’s core mission as an international, multi-stakeholder standards setting body, but also initiated significant capacity building programs and partnerships in Asia, Europe, North America, and the Pacific.

In developing countries, MAC’s capacity building work is improving the sustainability of the fishery and trade and thereby improving the lives of the collectors and disadvantaged communities on whom this industry and hobby depend. As a result, skilled collectors with improved livelihoods are supplying an increasing volume, variety, and quality of MAC Certified marine ornamentals from managed reefs that have marine protected areas. In market countries, Paul initiated expansive outreach and awareness raising efforts to communicate with the public and marine ornamental stakeholders - especially the industry and hobbyists - about the potential for a responsible marine aquarium trade to support reef conservation, managed fisheries, healthy marine animals, and safe, sustainable livelihoods for collectors of marine ornamentals.

Under Paul’s direction, MAC has become the global leader in transforming the marine aquarium fishery and trade to sustainability and environmental responsibility. Through the efforts of the dedicated team that Paul has assembled and managed, over one hundred MAC Certifications have been achieved by collection areas, collectors, exporters, importers, and retailers in ten countries. MAC has demonstrated that third-party certification can be adapted to the needs of rural, small-scale producers in developing countries, and to the complexities of a fishery and global chain of custody for live animals. Paul has created a network of MAC partners and supporters around the world that form a solid basis for MAC to build on in further implementing its mission in the years to come.

As a result of Paul’s dedication and commitment, MAC and MAC Certification are well established for continued success in transforming the marine ornamentals trade to sustainability for the benefit of the coral reefs, fisheries, collectors, coastal communities, and responsible businesses and aquarium keepers. We wish Paul well in his future endeavors.

Signed: Steve Broad, MAC Board Chair

Certification Update:

MAC Compliance with the ISEAL Code of Good Practice

The International Social and Environmental Accreditation and Labeling (ISEAL) Alliance brings together the international standards setting and accreditation organizations such as MAC, the Marine Stewardship Council, the Fair Trade Labeling Organization and others. ISEAL has developed a Code of Good Practice for international social and environmental standard setting through a multi-stakeholder process. The code ensures that a standard reflects the priorities of concerned stakeholders, addresses all material issues, and effectively achieves its stated social and environmental objectives. MAC has developed the MAC Standard Setting Procedure according to the ISEAL Code of Good Practice, as is required for continued membership in ISEAL. This document was subject to peer review by other ISEAL members and includes procedures on: developing new standards, review and revision of the existing MAC Standards, complaint resolution mechanisms, and a number of other areas. Additional information about the ISEAL and the Code of Good Practice for Standards Setting is available at www.isealalliance.org.

International Outreach Campaign for Industry Operators Interested in the MAC HHT Certification Preparation Kit

MAC is undertaking an outreach campaign to contact industry operators that have signed the MAC Statement of Commitment and Support (SOC), and other interested industry members, to distribute the newly available MAC Handling, Husbandry and Transport (HHT) Certification Preparation Kit. The Kit has been requested by many of those contacted and is resulting in an increasing number of industry operators publicly stating their interest in supporting MAC by signing the SOC.

For example, the first industry operators from Norway and Sweden interested in MAC Certification have received the Certification Preparation Kit. The Kit will assist them in getting ready for certification assessment by a third party MAC Accredited certifier. The facilitated certification process resulting from the use of this Kit should lead to an increasing number of importers and retailers achieving MAC Certification - making the way for an increase in the volume of MAC Certified organisms available in Europe and North America.

The HHT Certification Preparation Kit is available upon request at: info@aquariumcouncil.org and in the near future by downloading it from the MAC website: http://www.aquariumcouncil.org/.

MAC Supply Chain Task Team Works with Certified Companies to Validate and Improve the Flow of Certified Supply

The MAC Supply Chain Task Team (SCTT) was formed to bring together the MAC staff from the main supply and market countries with MAC Certified operations to facilitate the movement of MAC Certified marine ornamentals through the entire supply chain, from reef to retail. The MAC representatives from Indonesia, the Philippines, Europe and North America meet by conference call every 1-2 weeks to coordinate supply and demand efforts in partnership with the certified industry operators.

One area of focus for the SCTT has been to help ensure that hobbyists and industry operators have complete and accurate information on the ornamental species that are available from the MAC Certified collection areas. The team is compiling lists of the species that may be available, their relative abundance in an area and any known seasonal variability. Accurately identified organisms on stock lists are important to collectors, exporters, importers and retailers so that they may know which species they are collecting, selling and purchasing - and ultimately making available to the aquarium keeper. At the other end of the chain of custody, accurate species identification is critical for resource managers working in the field, as limits to Total Allowable Catch (TAC) are assigned to individual species at each certified collection area. Hobbyists benefit when everyone is aware of the full variety of species available that have been collected responsibly and sustainably at the MAC Certified collection areas by MAC Certified collectors.

These species lists and the efforts to correct identification errors within the trade are just one part of a broad mission taken by MAC to help bring improved information to the industry and hobby that contributes to achieving sustainability. By knowing exactly which species are available for trade, waste and disappointment can be reduced from incorrectly identified organisms being sold. Collectors can more accurately know the species that are being ordered, and therefore properly apply the limits of harvest in order to maintain their renewable resources. Responsible hobbyists have an ever-growing choice of MAC Certified marine aquarium organisms and can ensure that there is a sustainable future for coral reefs and the marine ornamental hobby by supporting MAC Certified aquarium industry operators. For more information about MAC and the complete list of MAC Certified industry operators, please visit the MAC website at: http://www.aquariumcouncil.org/.

Philippines Update:

Three New MAC Certified Collection Areas and Collectors Groups: Hambongan, Tara and New Busuanga

The three collection areas recently assessed for compliance with both the MAC Ecosystem and Fishery Management (EFM) and the Collection, Fishing and Handling (CFH) international Standards have become successfully MAC Certified. These additional certifications raise the number of MAC Certified collection areas in the Philippines to seven (7), and increase the number of MAC Certified collectors and traders to one hundred sixty-five (165).

Located in the most northern part of the province of Palawan, New Busuanga and Tara Island, the new MAC Certified communities provide additional volume and a larger variety of MAC Certified species to the Manila-based MAC Certified exporter, Aquarium Habitat. The species include, but are not limited to:
- Blueface/Yellowface Angel (Pomacanthus xanthometapon)
- Blue Koran Angelfish (Pomacanthus semicirculatus)
- Blue/Sapphire Damsel (Chrysiptera cyanea)
- Blue Tang/Palette Surgeonfish (Paracanthurus hepatus)
- Chelmon/Copperband Butterfly (Chelmon rostratus)
- Emperor Angel (Pomacanthus imperator)
- False Percula Clown (Amphiprion ocellaris)
- Goldtail Damsel (Chrysiptera parasema)
- Sailfin Tang (Zebrasoma veliferum), and
- Sixline Angelfish (Pomacanthus sexstriatus)

The MAC Certified Hambongan Island collection area, located in the Bohol province, further expands the supply of MAC Certified marine ornamentals from seven (7) collection sites around the island, providing a selection of marine ornamentals that includes:
- African Clown (Amphiprion clarkii)
- Chelmon/Copperband Butterfly (Chelmon rostratus)
- Domino Damsel (Dascyllus trimaculatus)
- Green Mandarin (Synchiropus splendidus), and
- Springer’s Damsel (Chrysiptera springeri).

The increased volume and variety of MAC Certified marine aquarium organisms are making their way to North America and Europe via MAC Certified exporters and importers. MAC Certified marine ornamentals must be sold by MAC Certified retailers to maintain their certified status. Unfortunately, at this time, there are only limited numbers of MAC Certified retailers. Aquarium keepers should encourage their retailers to contact MAC at: info@aquariumcouncil.org and seek assistance in becoming prepared for certification.

Graduation Ceremony of MAC Certified Collectors from Napumamapa, in Inabanga

On 28 February 2007, the MAC Certification of Napumamapa collectors was celebrated with a graduation ceremony attended by over one thousand participants. At the ceremony, Mayor Josephine Socorro Jumamoy highlighted that “indeed, it is the pride of the Municipality of Inabanga that the Marine Aquarium Council has recognized the seventeen (17) collectors from Hambongan Island as following the highest international standards and best practices in protecting the coral reefs and in ensuring responsible and sustainable marine aquarium trade.” The Mayor presented to Macario Elle (Hambongan Island’s village chief and trader) the two MAC Certificates for his community’s compliances with both the EFM and CFH Standards.

These collectors already supply more than one hundred seventy-six (176) species (out of the two hundred thirty-five (235) species found in the area) to two MAC Certified exporters, Cebu Mactan Quality Marine Aquarium Fish (CMQMAF) in Cebu and HD Marine World in Manila. The volume of MAC Certified fish reaching Europe and North America will certainly grow with this added supply.

The graduation ceremony coincided with the launch of the five (5) year Coastal Resource Management (CRM) Plan of the municipality and the State of the Fisheries Address of the outgoing Mayor. In her speech, Mayor Jumamoy credited MAC and its two partners, Reef Check and the Conservation and Community Investment Forum (CCIF), in assisting the municipality to step up its CRM program initiatives and for the international distinction earned by the Hambongan collectors. The CRM Plan incorporates key strategies for promoting the sustainable management of the marine ornamental collection sites in the area.

This daylong celebration in Inabanga was also graced by Julius Herrera, Vice Governor of the Province of Bohol, along with Homi Jamshed from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Andres Bojos, Regional Director of the Department of Agriculture Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR).

Indonesia Update:

Certification Progress for the Pulau Seribu and Buleleng Collection Areas

In December 2006 assessments took place in the Jakarta Bay and Bali for three (3) collectors groups and seven (7) suppliers, as well as in Jakarta and Bali for four (4) exporters. Assessment reports have been issued by a third-party MAC Accredited certifier, with the implementation of corrective actions taken at the Pulau Seribu, and Buleleng collection areas. Issues that were raised for further attention included the need for improved stakeholder support to the collectors, long-term training support, consistency in the users of best practices for collection and handling techniques, equipment maintenance, and the need for suppliers (including exporters) to insist on feedback from their buyers so that they can continue improving the quality of the stock they sell. It was acknowledged that the collectors in particular, had come a very long way in terms of improvement in a relatively short time, given their need to break old habits perpetuated over some twenty (20) years. With the undertaking of the corrective actions, these areas and collectors groups will soon be able to finalize their MAC Certified status.

Capacity Building Continues in Pulau Seribu

MAC and its partners continue to assist the Pulau Seribu collectors and stakeholders in capacity building to strengthen implementing of their no-take zones, understanding the concept of sustainable fisheries and developing the collectors” business skills. Due to the status of the collection areas, designated as “multiple use zones” within the Marine National Park, this program is undertaken in cooperation with the Fisheries Department and the Ministry of Forestry National Parks Department. With strong community-based resource management established, authorities are supporting these communities by taking on the responsibility of providing training, patrols and resource surveys for the future. The success of this collaboration over the long-term depends on establishing regular meetings and other communications between the stakeholders, and the regular updating and sharing of collection data, so that authorized collection limits are maintained.

Information Sharing Between a Swiss Importer and Collectors in Tejakula

An information sharing session was organized at a MAC Certified exporter facility in Tejakula (North Bali coast) between a Swiss marine ornamental importer and the collectors and suppliers, providing a good opportunity for all to share concerns about good practices. While there are some general principles and guidelines in the trade for optimizing quality and survivability of stock, there is still a great deal of debate among the industry about which “best practices” are preferred. As a result, the critique of current practices used by collectors and the techniques to improve them can vary greatly from one importer to another one. The information sharing session led to a lively discussion, with the collectors attempting to provide a “reality check” to the importer, and trying to explain how difficult it often is to implement best practices under the prevailing conditions. This informative and enjoyable interaction reassured collectors about the role and concerns of importers, in particular when time and effort are made to visit collectors in their communities. This type of interaction and support are essential to the continued improvement of quality and sustainability of marine ornamentals.

New Office for MAC Indonesia

MAC Indonesia has recently moved. The new office and contact information are:
MAC Indonesia / MAMTI Office
JL. Tirta Nadi No. 2
Kelurahan Sanur Kauh
Kecamatan Denpasar Selatan 80227 Bali
Indonesia
Ph: +62 361 8427168
Fax: +62 361 286806

Pacific Update:

Solomon Islands Tsunami Impacts MAC and the Aquarium Trade

On 2 April a tsunami struck Gizo town and surrounding areas of the Western Province of the Solomon Islands. We were concerned about anyone that suffered from this, but were particularly concerned about MAC Consultant Greg Bennet and the staff of our project partners in the area from World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the World Fish Centre. These people are all based in the Gizo area and have been implementing the project on sustainable marine aquarium fisheries and aquaculture that is regularly reported on in the MAC News. On 10 April, we thankfully were able to confirm that they were safe and sound. The aquaculture training facility in Gizo suffered significant damage. Many coastal communities in the area that harvest marine ornamentals were also hard hit by the tsunami. The home of Greg’s family was destroyed and we encourage you to support the reconstruction needs in the Solomon Islands.

The tsunami highlights again the difficult and dangerous living conditions of many of the coastal communities involved in the marine aquarium trade. The collection and export of marine ornamentals provides one of the few potentially sustainable livelihood options in many of these areas, which usually have very limited social services for the local communities. Collectors deserve to work in safe conditions and be adequately compensated for their efforts, as this is often the only means they have to support themselves and their families.

Solomon Islands: Creating Rural Livelihoods through Environmentally Friendly Aquaculture of Marine Ornamentals

A Tridacna clam culturing workshop was held from 30 January to 2 February 2007 at Nusa Tupe in Gizo, Solomon Islands. This was the third series of marine livelihood workshops - made possible by the support of New Zealand - as part of the Solomon Islands partnership of MAC, the World Fish Centre and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) South Pacific. This workshop delivered the long awaited first batch of hatchery reared giant clams to the twelve (12) workshop participants from Gizo communities and nearby islands who now have the opportunity to become clam farmers and seek MAC Certification.

Upon consultation with project partners, two sites were selected: Babanga (Maeraki) and Saeragi for the development of a Mariculture Area Management Plan (MAMP). During February and March, visits were made to three farmers and to other members of their communities to gather information for the MAMP.

The fragmented corals from the project have been quite popular with the exporter, Aquarium Arts Solomon Islands (AASI). Since early January, the Nusa Tupe facility has sent about one hundred forty-five (145) hard and soft corals to AASI. In general, there is a preference for bright colors ones (blue, pink and yellow) as well as for the ones with nice branches and being of appropriate size and well attached to the substrate.

Establishment of Non Detriment Findings and Hard Coral Quotas for Fiji

As Fiji is a major exporter of live coral under CITES, developments are underway to establish quotas regulating the quantity of coral exported. At present, the export quotas for Fiji are set at arbitrary levels. The aim of this new effort is to provide scientific information towards the establishment of a comprehensive export quota for live hard corals that fulfils the CITES Non-Detriment Finding (NDF) requirements.

This work will be able to build on efforts undertaken by MAC in 2005 to develop proposed NDF methods and provide information to help ensure that the coral and live rock trade in Fiji were environmentally responsible and in compliance with CITES. Following two workshops, MAC developed potential methods for Fiji to use in assessing live coral and live rock resources and managing both the extraction operations and impacts. Field assessments were conducted in four (4) collection areas: Kalokolevu, Moturiki, Vitogo/Naviti/Marou and Vatukarasa. In addition, a system was proposed for ranking key attributes of the collection area and coral species under consideration, providing an adaptive framework for developing quotas as better information becomes available. An extraction rating system was also proposed as a method for establishing live rock quotas in Fiji, based on the extraction rate calculated from exported quantities over a certain period and the standing stock as determined from field surveys.

The work by MAC was undertaken for the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), based on a request to SPREP from Fiji. Recommendations from the project included:
- Capacity building in Fiji to undertake resource assessments and interpret results with training of local scientists and government officials.
- Resource assessments in all live coral harvesting areas and live rock extraction areas in Fiji to assist in the establishment of scientifically (resource) based quotas using the proposed methods for live coral and live rock.
- Site-specific management planning for all collection areas.
A copy of the MAC report to SPREP is available upon request to: info@aquariumcouncil.org.

New Zealand Import Health Standard for Ornamental Fish

The import health standard for the importation of ornamental fish into New Zealand from all countries has been amended. The following changes were made to the import health standard as a result of public consultation on 4 August 2006:
- Clarification of the documentation required accompanying consignments
- Clarification of the steps required when a biosecurity direction is given, and
- Update of format according to more recent import health standard format including definitions, additions, removal and clarification of species as stated in the Review of Submissions document.

A copy of the Review of submissions may be located on the MAF Biosecurity NZ website at: http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/strategy-and-consultation/consultation/ihs#animals [Editor’s Note: url no longer valid for ornamental fish information, 09/16/07]. The new standard is dated 15 January 2007 and replaces that dated 24 May 2002. The new standard can be located on this website using the following link: http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/imports/animals/standards/fisornic.all.htm.

Europe Update:

MAC HHT Certification Preparation Kit Available in German

After the review by members of the MAC Certified Industry Group in Europe, the MAC HHT Certification Preparation Kit was launched and distributed in English to SOC signers and interested industry operators. To facilitate the use of the Kit among key countries, it is being translated into French, Italian and Spanish and is already available in German upon request at: info@aquariumcouncil.org.

The MAC Certified companies in Europe provided useful and encouraging feedback in the Kit development. For example, David Isham of Tropical Marine Centre (UK) noted: “I think that it [the Certification Preparation Kit] is very clearly laid out and written in clear English, which makes it easy to understand. It looks like an ideal preparation for companies interested in certification.” This sentiment is now also reflected in the acceptance of the Kit among interested industry operators in Germany, which is leading to increased interest in certification and support of MAC programs to sustain the increasing marine ornamental trade among industry operators and hobbyists in Germany.

The complete list of MAC Certified industry operators is available at the MAC website: www.aquariumcouncil.org.

New EU Animal Health Requirements Affecting Marine Ornamental Imports

In December 2006, European Commission Decision 2003/858/EC regulating the health certification of animal imports was extended to include all tropical ornamental fish caught in the wild and imported for the purpose of being kept in aquaria. The import of marine ornamental fish into the EU requires that the source country is a listed member of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and also that health certificates are completed. In April 2007, the import of ornamental fish from non-OIE member countries will become illegal. This regulation will also affect the import of MAC Certified fish from MAC Certified collection areas and exporters in Fiji. Fiji is not yet a member of the OIE, as is true for most Pacific island countries.

North America Update:

Growing Variety of MAC Certified Marine Ornamental Species Available

The available variety of MAC Certified species continues to increase in North America. This is primarily due to the expansion of the number of MAC Certified species being exported from the Philippines. As of March 2007, over one hundred ten (110) species of MAC Certified marine ornamental organisms have been shipped to certified importers in North America. Some interesting species that have been recently imported are Black Sailfin Blenny (Atrosalarias fuscus fuscus), Diamond Watchman Goby (Valenciennea puellaris), Hector’s Goby (Amblygobius hectori), Maroon Clownfish (Premnas biaculeatus), Starry Blenny (Salarias ramosus), Starry Pufferfish (Arothron stellatus), Six-lined Wrasse (Pseudocheilinus hexataenia) and Wartskin Anglerfish (Antennarius maculatus).

At this time, there are only a few MAC Certified retailers in North America and the number of locations able to sell these marine ornamentals as MAC Certified is limited. Retailers are encouraged to contact MAC at: info@aquariumcouncil.org to find out how they can become leaders in transforming the marine aquarium trade, and gain access to high quality MAC Certified marine aquarium organisms.

MAC Visit to the International Finance Corporation (IFC)

MAC senior staff, Paul Holthus, Arun Abraham and David Mainenti, met with officials at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), part of the World Bank Group, in Washington DC on 1 March 2007. IFC is the executing agency for the Marine Aquarium Market Transformation Initiative (MAMTI) that is implemented by MAC in conjunction with partners. The meeting was held to update IFC on MAMTI progress, and propose a series of modifications to the project outputs and indicators based on the initial two years of implementation. The MAMTI team has already consolidated the lessons learned, undertaken internal evaluations and adaptive management, and also hopes to refine the expectations and deliverables for the ongoing project.

In addition to the management level consultations, Paul Holthus and Arun Abraham presented an overview and update on MAC and MAMTI. The thirty (30) attendees included senior managers and officers from the IFC and the World Bank, the IFC-Global Environment Facility liaison officers, and representatives of other donors and organizations. The presentations improved awareness and understanding of MAC Certification among these key partners and clients. There was an appreciation of the challenges faced by MAC and its implementing partners, in trying to transform the marine ornamental trade towards sustainability.

Outreach and Communications Update:

Aquarium Society Declaration of Support Launched

Aquarium keeping societies (or clubs) are one of the major stakeholders collaborating with MAC in its outreach to hobbyists. They present a great opportunity for introducing and updating their members about MAC and its programs. Aquarium societies can help MAC and the future of the marine aquarium hobby by:
- Educating their members about aquarium trade issues and the benefits of the MAC Certification to ensure the industry is sustainable,
- Informing hobbyists about the availability of MAC Certified marine ornamentals,
- Encouraging retailers in their area to become MAC Certified and seek out MAC Certified supplies of marine ornamentals,
- Using their best efforts to help populate their club members’ tanks with MAC Certified marine ornamentals, and
- Linking their society’s website to the MAC website.

Aquarium societies that support MAC can now sign a “Declaration of Support” to acknowledge publicly their interest and support for MAC. Upon reception of the signed form, a direct link from the MAC website to the aquarium society one will be created, according to the MAC website crosslink policy. The aquarium society “Declaration of Support” is available upon request in English, French and Spanish at info@aquariumcouncil.org. The document will soon be available in other European languages.

Along with the launch of the Declaration of Support, MAC also updated the Hobbyist Kit, which is available in English, French and German - and soon in Dutch, Portuguese and Spanish. To obtain the Hobbyist Kit, please contact MAC at info@aquariumcouncil.org.

MAC Invited to the Maison de l’Environnement, Nice, France

The City of Nice (France) invited MAC to present issues related to the sustainable marine ornamental trade as part of the Acroporis exhibit “Coral Reefs” at the Maison de l’Environnement. MAC Communications Director, Nathalie Gamain, emphasized through her presentation, the role of hobbyists in ensuring the management of coral reefs and a responsible marine ornamental trade. Indeed, hobbyists need to identify and reward responsible businesses through their purchase of MAC Certified marine ornamentals (i.e., those that were collected, handled and transported in a sustainable manner) to stock their reef aquariums; and if as in southern France - there are no MAC Certified retailers, hobbyists need to encourage their aquarium shop to seek MAC Certification and work with MAC Certified suppliers.

Sensitization of Students to MAC Programs in Chicago, Illinois- USA

North America Director John Brandt gave a slideshow and video presentation to over two hundred (200) middle school students at Sacred Heart School in Chicago, Illinois. Students studying oceanography and ecology were introduced to the MAC mission and programs and viewed the MAC public service video with narration by Alexander Gould (the voice of Nemo from the movie Finding Nemo). The public service video will be available from the MAC website at: www.aquariumcouncil.org in the near future.

Liz’s Notes: Editing was limited to spelling and grammar corrections and formatting. Remember to visit the MAC website at www.aquariumcouncil.org for more information and to subscribe to their newsletter.

Director’s Note:

“Healthy Reefs, Healthy Fish, Healthy Hobby.” This simple phrase sums up what MAC is all about - and has been the banner under which an increasing number of renowned leaders in the aquarium-keeping world have lent their voice of support to the mission of MAC. These include, among others: J. Charles Delbeek, Martin Moe, Richard L. Pyle, Julian Sprung, Svein A. Fosså, J.E.N. “Charlie” Veron, Jean M. Jaubert, Bruce Carlson, Gerald Bassleer, Daniel Knop, and Alf Jacob Nilsen.

The leaders in transforming the marine aquarium trade to sustainability are also the increasing number of communities, fishers, exporters, importers and retailers that are deciding to be verified as responsible participants in this global industry. From the courageous early participants in MAC Certification, the ranks are growing, as the list of MAC Certified industry participants on the MAC website shows.

The everyday leaders in ensuring there is a future for the marine aquarium hobby are the individual aquarists who realize that there would be no fish in their tank if there were not any healthy reefs, healthy fishers and healthy businesses to supply them. An increasing number of aquarium keepers are making a difference just by asking their local store about MAC Certified fish and corals and buying them when they become available. Some hobbyists take the time to write us with questions and messages of support or encouragement, such as a recent note from an aquarium keeper in Illinois (USA), who summed up his email by saying: I totally support what you are doing!!! Other leaders in the hobbyists community are going further - such as an East coast hobbyist who is working through his local club to raise donations of materials (long sleeve t-shirts, dive masks) to send to responsible collectors in Indonesia.

Working together, we can all be leaders in ensuring that healthy reefs, healthy fish (and corals), healthy businesses, and a healthy hobby are the future for those who care enough to make this happen.

Certification System Update:

Launch of MAC Certification Preparation Kit

MAC has developed an information kit to assist the increasing number of industry wholesalers and retailers interested in becoming MAC Certified in the most time and cost efficient manner as possible and better serve the industry’s needs. This responds to the necessity for a “tool kit” designed for companies willing to become MAC Certified under the MAC Handling, Husbandry and Transport (HHT) international Standard. The “HHT Certification Preparation Kit” provides companies the materials to get started with their certification process as well as to prepare them for a certification assessment by a third-party MAC Accredited certifier, without visits of a MAC representative.

The Certification Preparation Kit targets the different users of the MAC HHT international Standard (i.e. exporters, importers and retailers). This kit includes:

- A general background information fact sheet about MAC and its certification system.
- An introduction to the certification process.
- A self-assessment questionnaire and model templates.
- Reference information about MAC Accredited certifiers and the MAC HHT International Standard.

This kit guides companies through the certification process with a description of all the steps to be taken. Using the self-assessment questionnaire, companies can easily review whether they have all the necessary policies and procedures in place, and determine their compliance with the requirements of the MAC HHT international Standard. When the questionnaire is completed, the company can contact MAC with the results, with then the opportunity for a MAC representative to carry out a gap analysis and recommend corrective action to be taken in order to help ensure compliance with the MAC HHT international Standard when then formal third-party assessment takes place. The process of self-assessing and following up corrective action will be repeated until all non-conformities are addressed and the MAC representative can recommend the company for certification. During this process, MAC treats all submitted information confidentially.

This HHT Certification Preparation Kit has been successfully tested with a pilot program done with the Dutch importer: DeJong Marinelife. This company joined this pilot program after its recent signature of the MAC Statement of Commitment and Support (SOC).

At the end of 2006, there are one hundred and forty nine (149) companies in twenty-three (23) countries, which expressed their intention to become MAC Certified. An updated list of those companies is available on MAC website at: http://www.aquariumcouncil.org/.

For more information about the HHT Certification Preparation Kit, please contact your nearest MAC representative, or MAC at info@aquariumcouncil.org.

Pacific Update:

Creating New Rural Livelihoods from Sustainable Culture of Ornamentals in the Solomon Islands

Twenty-seven (27) participants in and around Gizo Island attended the first workshop held last May on post larval fish and invertebrate capture and culture. Participants from four (4) communities (Titiana, Babanga, Vorivori and Saeragi) are now supplying lobsters (Panulirus versicolor) and shrimp (Stenopus hispidus) to the Aquarium Arts Solomon Islands (AASI) on a regular basis. To monitor this trade, this past semester the average productivity per community has been studied. The results have shown that the Babanga (Maeraki) farmers supply eighty (80) lobsters and shrimp per week, the Titiana ones about forty (40), and the Saeragi and Vorivori farmers about twenty (25) each. However, although these figures may look good, there is a surplus of invertebrates being produced as the exporter buys only a hundred (100) lobsters and shrimps per week.

From September 25th to 29th, fifteen (15) fishers, including two women, from different communities around Gizo attended the Coral Culture Workshop at Nusa Tupe. The first days of the workshop were focused on general presentations given on the collection and culture methods for soft and hard coral using environmentally friendly methods. Information about the aquarium trade and an introduction to the MAC Certified chain of custody “from reef to retail” were also provided, along with practical information on responsible methods used to collect and transport marine ornamentals to Honiara, where an exporter is located. After these general presentations, the remaining four (4) days were organized around hands-on practical sessions. Participants were provided the opportunity to see different types of corals that were planted as broodstock, and to handle soft and hard corals and to pack them using best handling practices for export facilities.

In November and December, communities focused their activities on establishing coral broodstock in their respective areas. Broodstock is held on steel trestles and cuttings (fragments) are allowed to attach to small discs. Acropora spp. are the most commonly cultured, although several species of soft corals are also being farmed. Communities intend to culture corals by adopting the cuttings techniques highlighted in the guideline of the MAC Mariculture and Aquaculture Management (MAM) international Standard.

The communities in and around Gizo have been trained to culture post-larval fish, invertebrates and coral fragments for the aquarium trade. In the coming year, they will be trained to culture giant clams (Tridacna spp.), all as provision of a basket of commodities which is considered the best approach as each community may be suited to different combinations of products, depending on transport, location and environmental characteristics of the reefs.

Philippines Update:

Newly MAC Certified Collection Areas and Collectors

With the recent successful MAC Certification of collection areas and a collectors’ group in Coron, Palawan the volume and variety of MAC Certified fish from the Philippines continues to grow.

This past August, the Marcilla Tropical Fish Collectors Association (MTFCA) was assessed for compliance with the MAC Ecosystem and Fishery Management (EFM) and the Collection Fishing and Holding (CFH) international Standards. A MAC Accredited certifier conducted the audit and upon its visit, where satisfactory and complete adherence to corrective action plans were observed, recommended both the area and fishers for MAC Certification.

The MTFCA certification expands the variety of MAC Certified organisms available to hobbyists. With a group composed of thirteen (13) MAC Certified collectors and one Certified coordinator, this community of Marcilla is one of the twenty-four (24) villages of the municipality of Coron. It is located in the northeastern part of Calamianes, a cluster of islands and islets in northern Palawan. The MTFCA regularly ships marine ornamentals to Aquarium Habitat and HD Marine, both MAC Certified exporters in Manila. This year, they have mostly traded damselfishes (Striped/Black-tail Humbug), wrasses (Blue Streak cleaner), clownfishes (False Percula, Tomato & Clark’s), butterflyfishes (Chelmon) and angelfishes (Blue Koran/Six-barred).

First Retailer in the Philippines to Become MAC Certified

With the recent successful assessment of the first retailer seeking the MAC Certification in the Philippines, this country itself has now an unbroken MAC Certified chain of custody “from reef to retail.”

The Manila retailer, Direct Aquatic, specializing in saltwater aquarium systems, was assessed for compliance with the MAC HHT international Standard and has become the first retailer to become MAC Certified in the Philippines. For the storeowner, Mike Dizon, becoming MAC Certified represents an important achievement, as he emphasizes: “I am very proud to be the first MAC Certified retailer in the Philippines. I strongly support MAC’s vision and mission.”

For an official and updated list of MAC Certified entities, please visit the MAC website at http://www.aquariumcouncil.org/.

New Collection Site Assessments

These two recent successful MAC Certifications mark the steady progress being achieved in the Philippines, where earlier this year Aquarium Habitat, a Manila exporter, met the requirements for MAC Certification along with three other collection areas and collectors’ groups in Bohol and Palawan.

This momentum continued with the assessment of three collection sites in the Philippines for compliance with the MAC EFM and CFH international Standards in late November 2006. The assessed areas involved a total of sixty-four (64) collectors from Hambongan Island (Inabanga) in Bohol, Tara Island (Coron) and New Busuanga (Busuanga) in Palawan. The results of these certification assessments will be known in early 2007. If successful, the addition of these areas will increase the number of MAC Certified collection areas in the Philippines to seven (7) areas, further enlarging the volume and variety of MAC Certified fish to importers, retailers and aquarists willing to be part of a responsible trade and hobby.

IT Traceability System: An Important Tool for the Marine Aquarium Trade

The ongoing “Information Technology (IT) Traceability” component of the Marine Aquarium Market Transformation Initiative (MAMTI) is an “excellent system for the marine aquarium business” says the representative of the Washington based International Finance Corporation (IFC), part of the World Bank Group, and funding partner for MAMTI. Dr. Richard Kaguamba, Project Officer in the Biodiversity Unit in the IFC, visited MAMTI project areas in Cebu and Bohol on November 13 and 14, 2006. Kaguamba said that the IT system may have significant applicability in the improvement of the livelihoods of local people who depend on marine resources. As part of his itinerary, Kaguamba joined MAC officer Xavier “Jebjeb” Lopez and tropical fish collector Jeffrey Vitor in actual harvest and collection in the waters around Hambongan Island in Inabanga, Bohol.

The IFC Project Officer observed transactions from the collection area at the trader’s end and the exporter’s side at different times during his two-day visit. He observed the process of ordering and confirmation and receipt issuance by the exporter, and order taking and transmittal of shipment information by the trader. The system uses a combination of Internet with short message service (SMS) or “text” message with data flowing through the MAC servers in Manila. The IT Traceability System enables the timely exchange of information “from reef to retail.” Right now the system has been developed to manage workflow and transactions from the fish collector to the trader (consolidator) to the exporter. A second phase of the project will see the system scaled up to the rest of the value chain, including importers and retailers in market countries (i.e.: Europe and North America). The first phase was supported in large part by a grant from the Academy for Educational Development (AED), in partnership with the US Agency for International Development (USAID), and a software grant from the Microsoft Corporation. The IT Traceability project was highlighted in the Microsoft 2007 planner (calendar) as one of the community service efforts of the company.

Indonesia Update:

New Collection Area and Collector Assessments

Indonesia supply development efforts are also proceeding steadily. After completing a capacity building program and implementing best practices, a significant number of certification assessments took place in Buleleng and Pulau Seribu districts in December. Ninety-one (91) collectors and seven (7) coordinators took part in this assessment. Both collecting and post harvest skills, including handling, holding, and packing techniques and understanding the concept of marine conservation and sustainable fisheries, were all assessed by the third party MAC Accredited certifier. The presence of local government officials was significant as it showed the authorities’ commitment and support to MAC programs with coastal communities. Results from the assessments and the completion of corrective action plans for these areas and collectors will be known in early 2007, following which there should be a significant increase in the volume and variety of MAC Certified organisms available from Indonesia.

Development of Mariculture Training Materials

In late 2006, MAC recruited an intern, Colin Foord, to work in Indonesia on the mariculture aspects of the MAC Certification, i.e. the Mariculture and Aquaculture Management (MAM) Standard. During the second semester of 2006, Colin visited several coral mariculture sites in Indonesia, including those in Pulau Seribu and Bali. Colin has consulted and exchanged ideas with coral farmers, coral exporters and importers, and other people working in the marine aquarium trade. He has also helped them by giving practical demonstrations on how to implement best practices in coral mariculture. Based on his experiences, Colin has produced some coral mariculture training materials which will be the first of their kind in Indonesia, and which will be refined and field-tested. MAC hopes that with the introduction of this type of training, local coral farmers and coral traders will be able to improve their mariculture techniques, together with the management of both the broodstock and the mariculture areas.

North America Update:

MAC at the Marine Aquarium Conference of North America (MACNA)

MAC was present at the MACNA on September 22-24 in Houston, Texas with its booth and North America Director, John Brandt. Hobbyists and industry operators stopped by the exhibit to learn more about MAC and its program progress at this well attended annual event.

MAC Presentation Given to Aquarium Society and High School Students

John Brandt was the featured speaker at the monthly meeting of the West Michigan Marine Aquarium Club in Kalamazoo on November 12, 2006. Members were shown a slideshow, which gave a general introduction to MAC and the issues surrounding a sustainable and non-destructive marine ornamental hobby. This presentation was given to three classes at Portage Central High School in Michigan on the following day.

Europe Update:

Botanic Stores Start to Sensitize their Clients to MAC Certification

As previously reported, three (3) of the fifty-six (56) stores of the Botanic Group (France) that sell marine ornamentals in Europe will seek to comply with the MAC Handling, Husbandry and Transport (HHT) international Standard, as part of a pilot program. Botanic has started to raise awareness in various ways among its clients and suppliers regarding the adoption of the MAC HHT international Standard.

The Botanic Group is dedicated to the sustainable sourcing of all their plant and animals though a corporate policy of sustainability. In relation to the marine ornamentals that they stock, they are committed to the management of corals reefs through best practices and a responsible marine ornamental trade. As part of this, they launched two special events this fall to gather its hobbyists around professionals from the marine ornamental trade.

The first event was organized at its new store in Suresnes, France, the first weekend of October 2006. Through a MAC presentation by the MAC Communications Director, Nathalie Gamain, the participants could better understand their role as hobbyists to ensure a responsible marine ornamental trade. They could also discover the fishing methods used by collectors in Indonesia, with the shown video “Transforming the Aquarium Trade with the Industry for Ecological and Economic Sustainability,” for which MAC contributed to its development with the World Wide Fund (WWF) Indonesia.

The second event was organized in collaboration with the hobbyist Club Languedocien d’Aquariophilie Marine (CLAM) at the Botanic store in Clapiers, France, where several marine environmental professionals were invited the first weekend of December 2006. At this occasion, MAC introduced the marine ornamental trade via the issues its programs implement to ensure a sustainable and responsible industry. MAC participation, at both events, was possible through the generous support of Aquarium Systems.

MAC Outreach and Communications:

MAC Awareness Raising with Norwegian Stakeholders

MAC was invited to the Norwegian Companion Animal Conference held in Oslo, Norway (September 19-20, 2006). In her presentation, Ms Gamain was able to sensitize the participants (governments representatives, retailers and veterinarians) about their role to enhance sustainable management of coral reefs through best practices, a responsible marine ornamental trade and MAC Certification.

The European Aquarium Community Continues to Support MAC

The annual European Union Aquarium Curator (EUAC) meeting (October 2- 7, 2006) in Brest, France provided MAC a great opportunity to strengthen its collaboration with European institutions. The EUAC MAC working group, which gathered for the first time at the 2005 EUAC meeting in Lisbon, presented its activities for the past year and the objectives for 2007. Some of the issues covered by this working group are the acquisition of marine ornamentals and sensitization programs.

After this report, the MAC Communications Director highlighted through her presentation “the Role of Public Aquariums to Enhance a Sustainable Marine Ornamental Trade,” in particular by providing examples of conservation, education and sensitization programs taken by some European institutions this past year.

MAC continues to receive indications of support from public aquariums around the world, such as Nausicaa (France), which recently sent its signed “MAC Public Aquarium Statement of Support.” For institutions to receive this form and submit this to MAC, and those interested to participate in the EUAC MAC working group, please contact info@aquariumcouncil.org.

MAC Co-convenes Workshop on Certification and Sustainable Fisheries at the East Asian Seas (EAS) Congress

At the recently convened EAS Congress in Haikou, China (December 12-16, 2006), the MAC Asia-Pacific Operations Director, Arun Abraham, co-convened a workshop on “Certification and Sustainable Fisheries: the Value of Market-Based Instruments” along with the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). The workshop covered issues related to the marine aquarium as well as the food fish industries, and produced a series of recommendations aimed at raising the profile of certification and sustainable fisheries for the countries that share the resources of the East Asian Seas.

The summary findings and recommendations were presented to the various Ministers of Oceans, Environment, Fisheries, Marine Affairs and Port Authorities for their consideration in the context of the finalization of an overarching partnership agreement - or ‘regional mechanism’. These included Ministers from Brunei, Cambodia, DPR Korea, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, PR China, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Other delegates included senior officials from the World Bank, Global Environment Facility (GEF), United Nations Development Program (UNDP), International Maritime Organization (IMO), Conservation International (CI), World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the PEMSEA Youth Forum, as well as representatives from local governments, community-based organizations and private sector companies.

There was an appreciation of the constraints and challenges to promoting market-based instruments to “certify sustainability.” Dr Art Hanson, theme keynote speaker and former President of Canada’s International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), remarked that certification of marine resources is still in the infancy stage with the aquarium fish trade being the most advanced industry. The progress made would not have been imagined ten (10) years ago. Congress participants, governments in particular, were urged to consider giving more attention to the aquarium fishery and the various innovative mechanisms, such as microfinance schemes, to promote a more responsible and sustainable trade.

Liz’s Notes: Editing was limited to spelling and grammar corrections and formatting. Remember to visit the MAC website at www.aquariumcouncil.org for more information and to subscribe to their newsletter.