Steve, what can the "average" retailer do?
When I first set up shop earlier this year, I was all set to join AMDA, but some learned acquaintances in the trade who had previously been involved in AMDA advised me that this might not be of any benefit to me (they implied that the organization was "all politics and no action"), so I didn't bother joining. I'm active on the local level in my club, and in MASNA, I'm probably not as current on the state of affairs in the industry as I could be, but I get the impression that I'm more up to speed than many of my peers across the nation, who are preoccupied with their own affairs that they don't seem to care or be concerned with issues that affect their business (present company notwithstanding, of course). As a retailer I would think that it's every retailer's concern to know what's going on, since it can change the way they do business, but surprisingly few seem to be involved, or this forum would be exploding with activity.
As a small retailer, what else can *I* do to help the industry? What can I do to help the reefs? To some extent I believe that what I do educates people about the reefs, that they might not ever see firsthand. I try to choose my livestock carefully, from reputable dealers, I choose aquacultured whenever I can, I try to educate my customers and encourage them to ask questions, but I can't help but feel there could be more that I can do.
I've sat back and watched the MAC saga develop. On one hand, I support the pure intention of what MAC hopes to accomplish, but on the other hand it's all a big farse, IMO. I would LOVE to have less than 1 % mortality (or whatever their revised criteria are) and as it is, I have very few DOA from my suppliers, (I have no idea what their DOA/DAA rates are though...) but I have to admit that even with careful ordering (we do have to take a lot on faith from our wholesalers) I've had a few "mysterious" deaths...I keep records of those for my own reference, and if a pattern develops with a given supplier...well....I am a careful buyer. I want value for my customers, even if that means paying more, and value means properly caught or aquacultured specimens.. specimens with a life expectancy of more than a couple of weeks until their livers turn to mush.... I got started in this hobby in the mid 80s and shopped at a great store where the owner taught us about the effects of cyanide on fish (if not the reefs) and who took great pains THEN to get the best specimens he could. It's a sad thing that not a whole lot has changed in that regard, and while I acknowledge and applaud your efforts to change the way things are done, we all know it still goes on. The only way I see to change things as far as cyanide issues go, is for everyone in the chain of custody to insist on net caught fish and responsible collection. Easier said that done, but nobody said it would be easy. If collectors can't sell cyanide caught catches, they will have to change their methods. I am sure I am over simplifying things, but is that not the real crux of the matter?
What else can I do, to get the truth out there? What else can I do to "do the right thing"? If MAC is not the answer as it exists right now (and I don't believe it is, and I won't "buy" a certification). what can the average retailer do to make a difference? My fear is that perception will be everything, and those willing to subscribe to the political rhetoric that a MAC certification buys, will have an advantage in the eyes of the consumer. How do we call it like it is, without leaving consumers thinking it's sour grapes on the part of non-certified retailers?
Jenn