Marine Aquarium Council
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Why Certification for the Marine Aquarium Trade?
A responsible marine aquarium industry can ensure the health of marine aquarium organisms, create Incentives for reef conservation and provide sustainable livelihoods in costal villages with limited natural resources. The environmental and socioeconomic impacts of the trade are important to hobbyists, industry operators, conservation groups and government agencies.
MAC Certification is and international, third-party certification system, which provides the means to verify responsible, environmentally sound industry operators and healthy marine aquarium organisms.
Why buy from a MAC certified retailer?
- Quality facilities and operations
- Best practices in acclimation, water quality, packing and shipping, etc. to optimize health and minimize stress
- Qualified and trained staff
- Responsible business, concerned about the health of marine ornamentals, coral reefs and the future of the marine aquarium industry and hobby
Why buy MAC certified Marine Organisms?
- Harvested from collection areas managed to maintain optimal reef healthy and productivity
- Caught using nondestructive methods
- Handled, held and transported only by MAC Certified facilities and operations ... from Reef to Retail
What is Certified?
- MAC certification covers the entire marine aquarium trade "chain of custody" ... from Reef to Retail.
- Collection Areas: Coral reefs and marine aquarium organisms in the collection area are covered by the MAC Ecosystem and Fisher Management (EFM) Standard. MAC Certified collection areas must have a collection area management plan. Among the requirements of this plan are a defined collection area, stakeholder consultations, and assessment, management and monitoring of reefs and fishery Stocks
- Collectors: Harvesting practices and post-harvest handling of marine aquarium organisms are covered by the MAC Collection, Fishing and Holding (CFH) Standard. MAC Certified collectors must be skilled, trained divers; collect to order only; use nondestructive collection methods; keep fishery logbooks; use improved post harvest handling methods to minimize stress; segregate organisms; and test for water quality.
- Exporters Importers and Retailers: Handling, husbandry, packing, transport and ancillary activities of export, import, wholesale and retail commerce are covered by the MAC Handling, Husbandry and Transport (HHT) Standard. Among the requirements are appropriate facilities and qualified staff; suitable packing and transport; appropriate acclimation; monitoring and recording of mortality; water quality testing and monitoring; segregation of certified and non certified organisms; and appropriate documentation and tractability.
The proceeding was taken from Marine Aquarium Councils "From Reef to Retail" pamphlet.
