Pet Product News article

[Anonymous]

Front Page article in the ne PPN. They even quote Dizzy!

A few paragraphs I found interesting:

"At the import level, MAC's new interpretations allow for mixing species batches from the same MAC-certified exporter. They allow retailers with limited tank space to mix MAC-certified fish with uncertified fish, or with MAC-certified organisms of a different species-providing the species are visibly different. "


and:

"Currently MAC is not testing for cyanide use at collection sites. Some collectors stun fish with cyanide to make harvesting easier. teh practice is widely considered harmful to the fish and coral reefs. Net-catching is considered more environmentally sound. "At this point there is no cyanide testing method that is internationally approved," MAC program officer Rezal Kusumaatmadja said. "Cyanide testing would be very helpful, but in its absence we still have [detection] methods." If an unusually high number of fish that are difficult to catch with a net are found in a specific batch, MAC traces the fish back to the collector, who must prove competence with a net underwater for certification."

 

[MaryHM]

My subscription to PPN ran out. Was the jist of the article "MAC is working on it, support them", "MAC is a fraud", or something else entirely?

 

[Anonymous]

The title is "MAC Eases Certification Standards"

The gist I got was that MAC is getting lots of flak and is having to rethink some of the wording of the original standards.

First sentence:

"In response to industry concern, the nonprofit Marine Aquarium Council has issued new interpretations of the core standards it is urging exporters, importers and retailers of marine organisms to adopt voluntarily in order to become MAC certified."

Apparently they are realxing the 1% DOA and the certified-uncertified-recertified guidleines were reworked and seem even more confusing. The gist of the article is that MAC is easing up in order to "entice" more people to jump on board. It does mention the lack of a cyanide test and has some quotes from Fenner likening not having a cyanide test to driving with out a speedometer.

Another intersting quote from Eric Cohen of SDC. "Being certified does not mean that you have to carry certified fish, it means that you are certifies to carry certified fish I'm guessing it's going to take at least 10 years before the majority of the indusrty is certified."

 

[MaryHM]

I love the fact that a facility can be certified but not have certified animals. Do you think a consumer will know the difference? Heck no. They'll see MAC Certified Facility and think everything in there is up to MAC standards.

 

[dizzy]

Another intersting quote from Eric Cohen of SDC. "Being certified does not mean that you have to carry certified fish, it means that you are certifies to carry certified fish I'm guessing it's going to take at least 10 years before the majority of the indusrty is certified."

Rover,
Ten years? In ten years there may not be any reefs or independent stores left. I sure hope I way a way out before then.

 

[clarionreef]

Bingo Mitch,
And thats why they support the process...because it will take years and years. Its the same as no progress at all in some ways.
This is exactly why the cyanide cartels of Indonesia and Manila signed the letters of commitment...because it gives them the right to say they support reform, yet not actually do anything .
No one in L.A. is afraid of MAC, or shutdown anymore.
Now sonething without teeth...thats something ALL can get behind.
The only losers are the divers and the coral reefs...oh well, can't have everything.
Steve