Cyanide testing begins?

[John_Brandt]

OK naesco, I'm sorry if I misunderstood you.

The topic at hand was the routine testing of cyanide at the US border. If this were systematically and comprehensively implemented tomorrow along with enforcement, a lot of Filipino fathers would be sleeping behind bars. I think we don't want that to happen just as much as we don't want cyanide to be used on reefs.

So it seems like a good plan to train all of the fishers to use nets before they get tossed in jail. It might even be a good plan to force fishers who have been associated with positive test results to take mandatory net training before they can resume collecting. This could be a rehabiliatory and preventative enforcement that allows fishers to do the right thing before they are fined or jailed.

I think we want the fishers to stop using cyanide before the man walks up to their hut with an arrest warrant and rings their doorbell :wink:

Naesco, meet the sons of the MAC Certified net fishermen of Tangaran, Bohol, Philippines. Along with their fathers, they sleep within sight of coral reefs upon which cyanide is no longer used. It is an honor for me to serve on the board of directors of the organization that is responsible for this.

John Brandt

MASNA
MAC
CMAS-Chicago

 

[PeterIMA]

John, I take it then that you are against cyanide testing and the enforcement of Philippine law. I like you don't feel that prosecuting collectors will stop cyanide fishing. We also need to prosecute the exporters and middlemen who sell cyanide to the collectors and deal in cyanide-caught fish.

PS A test in the US will apply to importers who violate the Lacey Act every day (not collectors).

If this is MAC policy (against testing) I feel sorry for you.

Peter Rubec

 

[John_Brandt]

John, I take it then that you are against cyanide testing and the enforcement of Philippine law. I like you don't feel that prosecuting collectors will stop cyanide fishing. We also need to prosecute the exporters and middlemen who sell cyanide to the collectors and deal in cyanide-caught fish.

PS A test in the US will apply to importers who violate the Lacey Act every day (not collectors).

If this is MAC policy (against testing) I feel sorry for you.

Peter Rubec

Peter,

Sorry if I wasn't clear. And I should say that I am not posting this with reference to MAC policy or position.

I am entirely against the use of cyanide to capture fish, either for the aquarium trade or for food. But I am also against implementing a cyanide test with provisions for enforcement, without ample and practical means for all parties to avoid prosecution by way of conversion to nets.

I would rather have an effective cyanide test scare the dickens out of people, causing them to voluntarily stop using cyanide, than have that same cyanide test cause their imprisonment first.

Maybe a number of individuals would end up being prosecuted because of this testing. But I would rather see them reform and pass every test.

Of course any stateside testing would apply to exporters and importers, but it is ultimately the fisher who actually sprays the cyanide onto the reefs. Empowering the fisher to stop using cyanide will halt the entire cycle of destruction.

So this is not the same as saying that I am not interested in cyanide testing and enforcement of laws, American or Philippine. I hope I am understood.

John Brandt

MASNA
MAC
CMAS-Chicago

 

[PeterIMA]

John, The IMA has been there and done everything you now advocate for the MAC. We conducted net-training and trained about 1100 divers over the last decade. We conducted cyanide testing of 48,000 fish and invertebrate specimens under contract from BFAR from 1993 to 2001. Some collectors got prosecuted. But not enough to stop them from using cyanide, because the Philippine court system is corrupt and BFAR did not make full use the test results. Net-training without cyanide testing will not solve the problem. Net-training with cyanide testing used to support more vigorous prosecution of exporters, middlemen, and to some extent collectors can stop cyanide fishing. The MAC does not represent the legal system or the Philippine government. The MAC could work with IMA and BFAR to tie cyanide testing to MAC Certification. But, so far all they have said is that some kind of announcement will be forthcoming about cyanide testing. My question is: When?

Peter Rubec

 

[naesco]

No problem apologies accepted.

Leave the issue of charging a Phillippino who deals in cyanide aside for a moment.
The reason for the test being a priority is that those who wish cyanide free fish from cyanide free vendors know that their supplier is subject to audit.
If online vendor X says I sell only cyanide free fish purchased from Phillppines Y Company the test will confirm the truth when a random test is done of Phillippine Y fish.
What does this accomplish?
Phillippine Y will keep his nose clean because he does not want to embarrass online vendor X.
It is like paying taxes. Even the thought of facing an audit keeps people honest.