Some TAG, AMDA, MAC History

[Nancy Swart]

Hi all,

While I'm often teased for being a packrat, there are times I'm glad that I am. I've just uploaded some MASNA Newsletters that go back to 1995 which contain articles on the formation of TAG, AMDA and what is now known as MAC.

These are at http://www.masna.org/ms/newsletter.htm

The issues in question are those for 1995, 1996 and 1997 (only 4 in all).

I hadn't even remembered that TAG was a spin-off of an organization MASNA founded called "The Trade Committee". I DO remember the MACNA where the first official TAG organizational meeting was held and the overwhelming enthusiasm of all involved coming out of that meeting.

So the question is, how many organizations is it going to take to accomplish one common goal? We have IMA, OVI, MAC, AMDA, TAG, CORL and how many others and now there's talk of starting yet another one. It's sad that we spend so much time bickering and posturing rather than asking what we can do to help.

For several months now MASNA has been asking what we can do to help get netting to the fisherman but we've been told to do nothing yet because somebody else is organizing the effort. Where are the details of this project?

There's been talk of helping to supply "Wall Streets". Where did that project go? And which organization is hitting manufacturers up for wet suits, fins and goggles?

Mike K. said the fisherman are discussing their problems via text messaging. Can't we find a way to get a computer with Internet access to SOMEBODY down there that can communicate with us directly from the fisherman's point of view?

On a side note, I am personally offended by the comment that all non-profits are not to be believed or trusted.

Nancy

 

[dizzy]

Mike K. said the fisherman are discussing their problems via text messaging. Can't we find a way to get a computer with Internet access to SOMEBODY down there that can communicate with us directly from the fisherman's point of view?
Nancy

Nancy the man of the hour is Ferdie Cruz. He has posted here on reefs.org, and Peter asked people to ask him questions for clarification, but very few did. It's not too late to jump in on those threads. BTW I can't get your link to work.
Mitch

 

[Anonymous]

Try this link:

http://www.masna.org/ms/newsletter.htm

It appears that the period at the end of Nancy's sentence was incorporated into the link address.

By the way, at the last MASNA meeting there was unanimous support for the (AMDA?, CORL?) netting project. The two major online marine forum groups; MASNA; and several hobbyist clubs have all chimed in that they'd like to help raise/donate funds, but we still don't have a place to send the money.

There are a lot more hobbyists out there that are interested in industy reform and reef ecology issues than most give credit. We just get frustrated hearing about the problem and not being able to find avenues to help out.

-Lee

 

[dizzy]

Try this link:http://www.masna.org/ms/newsletter.htm
There are a lot more hobbyists out there that are interested in industy reform and reef ecology issues than most give credit. We just get frustrated hearing about the problem and not being able to find avenues to help out.
-Lee

Lee the link works but a short cut to the MAC origins article would be nice. TAG also. Have patience young grasshopper. I don't believe the AMDA BOD would mind if I told you that we are working with a lawyer to open the proper bank account in order to accept contributions to the net fund. It will be opened in such a way that contributions will be tax deductable. Look for an announcement in the near future. Right Steve?

 

[Nancy Swart]

Thanks for fixing my link, Lee. I HATE when I do that.

Mitch, I haven't figured a way to link directly to an article within an Acrobat document and didn't have time to extract the articles into separate files.

I also apologize for the quality of those files. They were tattered old hard copies I found in a dusty box a long time ago and were scanned in the days when a good scanner ran $1000 which I obviously didn't have.

Nancy

 

[Anonymous]

Well, in the Fall '95 newsletter John Tullock announces the formation and goals of AMDA.

 

[Anonymous]

The Winter '97 newsletter has 4 pages of articles on the formation and goals of the "Marine Aquarium Fish Council", and references about the IMA CDT (pages 8-9, 11-12).

Thanks for posting the newsletters, Nancy!

 

[Anonymous]

Just noticed that the last 2 pages of the reference I just made are regarding the qualifications for the MAFC certification coordinator. Just think of it - if you had gotten the job we could be flaming you right now! LOL/JK

 

[dizzy]

Lee,
Thanks for the short cut. There are some interesting facts about the origins of MAC at the WWF offices in the Winter 97 Newsletter. I see our friend Jaime was there at the meeting. I also see Lolita Ty and her husband Richard were there. Thanks again.
Mitch

PS The meeting was actually January 26th 1998.

 

[Nancy Swart]

You're welcome, Lee. I'm still searching thru old BOD Minutes to find Bob Hix's summary after he attended the very first MAFC (now MAC) meeting.

Also in our MAC/USCRTF section there's a transcript of Paul Holthus' first online conference in February of 1999 introducing MAC and fielding questions.

http://www.masna.org/legislation/mac/feb24conf.htm

Nancy

 

[Anonymous]

Have patience young grasshopper. I don't believe the AMDA BOD would mind if I told you that we are working with a lawyer to open the proper bank account in order to accept contributions to the net fund. It will be opened in such a way that contributions will be tax deductable. Look for an announcement in the near future. Right Steve?

I guess I don't need to have patience anymore.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthrea ... to=newpost

Are donations to this fund going to be tax deductable?

-Lee

 

[MaryHM]

Congratulations, Lee!!! You now make the 4th internet reefer I know to have a baby in the past several months. Is there something in the saltwater?? Luckily I'm too busy posting here to have to worry about getting pregnant

 

[Anonymous]

Thank you, Mary. It has been a wonderful week for us.

Best of luck on the netting fund. I hope it helps the quality of life of the families of those that collect our livestock and the reefs that we all love.

Sincerely,
-Lee

 

[dizzy]

By the way, at the last MASNA meeting there was unanimous support for the (AMDA?, CORL?) netting project. The two major online marine forum groups; MASNA; and several hobbyist clubs have all chimed in that they'd like to help raise/donate funds, but we still don't have a place to send the money.
-Lee

Lee,
Was this statement accurate?

 

[Nancy Swart]

Hi Mitch,

While I can't speak for the entire MASNA BOD, I'm sure there would be no hesitancy supporting the AMDA drive if the budget allows. We gave to Mary's fund thinking at first this was a combined AMDA/CORL/MSI joint venture.

However, when donations of $60,000 are sought to be applied toward salaries, I think folks are entitled to see a plan of action. Goals, timelines, how many people will be on the payroll for how long and what will they get done with that $60,000?

If this info has been posted elsewhere, please point me to it for presentation to our BOD.

Nancy

 

[MaryHM]

We gave to Mary's fund thinking at first this was a combined AMDA/CORL/MSI joint venture.

I don't understand how MASNA could have thought this. It was clearly stated that this fund was a MSI/RC fund (AMDA and CORL were never mentioned) and that no NGO's were involved.

New reefs.org contest: Who can make a sentence with the most acronyms?? :lol:

 

[Anonymous]

Mitch,

Yes, I believe the interest is still there. However, the current AMDA project is different than what I initially understood. I thought the hobbyists were simply going to collect money for netting and CORL or AMDA was going to cover the other costs (salaries, travel costs, etc.) for training. I agree that a comprehensive program including training is necessary, however.

I agree that more information would be helpful in selling the program to the hobbyist community. For instance, is this a program in conjunction with CORL? Is CORL giving NGO funds to the project? Are some of the resources collected by the Mary/MSI project going to this project? Is AMDA acting as an NGO in regards to this project? Have they filed for public or govenment funds?

Sincerely,
-Lee

 

[MaryHM]

Are some of the resources collected by the Mary/MSI project going to this project?

The nets my fund is providing are not earmarked for any other project. As has been stated, they will be going to Ferdinand Cruz. If Ferdinand chooses to use them in any future venture with a NGO, then that is his business. I trust him to utilize them in the best way possible. However, Ferdinand is not bound to any organization right now, so neither are our nets. The only resources we have are the nets- no money or anything else. This fund was created solely to provide netting to the only field trainer in the Philippines who is dedicated to making a difference.

 

[Anonymous]

Mary,

I understand the possible confusion.

This is what I saw on this board, in various threads.

The MSI/RC fund is going to Ferdie. Ferdie is a training partner with Steve Robinson. Steve and Ferdie are working together with CORL on the training program. Steve Robinson is AMDA pres.

I can see how people could come to the conclusion that it was all one big interrelated pot.

-Lee

 

[Anonymous]

The only resources we have are the nets- no money or anything else. This fund was created solely to provide netting to the only field trainer in the Philippines who is dedicated to making a difference.

I've always understood that, Mary. But the line does become fuzzy if Ferdie ends up working for CORL.