Just an interesting response from my brother, who is working in Dublin, about an article written about my company. I have his permission to post it. He is a complete outsider, never has had fish, has no desire to have fish, and I do not get into detail about my business with him. He has traveled the world extensively, especially third world countries.
"That sounds great - really. The environment's always been a huge concern of mine and something I've given way way too much thought to. The one thing I've concluded is that developing countries cannot be held responsible for their actions - I've seen far too much abject poverty to know that there is absolutely no way that you will ever convince a fisherman from the Philipines to change his practices simply on the arguement of sustainable development. Similarly, you won't convince an Indian that it's wrong to catch a tiger when when someone is willing to pay them the equivalent of three years wages when their family is starving. Change must come from the consumer, the regular Joe aquarium collector. If there's no market for cyanide caught fish, then there's no reason for the fisherman to use it - he's not doing it for fun - he's doing it for the money. And there has to be an alternative which is what you're giving him so that truly is a remarkable feat. Now you need to educate the consumers - plead with their environmental conscious and if that doesn't work shame them. I'm guessing most collectors are somewhat aware of the environment but until they know what MAC certified means you won't get consumers specifically searching out MAC certified stores. I remember an aquatic toxicology class in which the prof began talking about giving up his salt water tank due to environmental concerns - that's your target market - you need to let people like that know that a sustainable option exists - I guess the question then becomes how?
Apathy is a major hurdle in our times."
Just thought I would share.
Kyle
CMA
"That sounds great - really. The environment's always been a huge concern of mine and something I've given way way too much thought to. The one thing I've concluded is that developing countries cannot be held responsible for their actions - I've seen far too much abject poverty to know that there is absolutely no way that you will ever convince a fisherman from the Philipines to change his practices simply on the arguement of sustainable development. Similarly, you won't convince an Indian that it's wrong to catch a tiger when when someone is willing to pay them the equivalent of three years wages when their family is starving. Change must come from the consumer, the regular Joe aquarium collector. If there's no market for cyanide caught fish, then there's no reason for the fisherman to use it - he's not doing it for fun - he's doing it for the money. And there has to be an alternative which is what you're giving him so that truly is a remarkable feat. Now you need to educate the consumers - plead with their environmental conscious and if that doesn't work shame them. I'm guessing most collectors are somewhat aware of the environment but until they know what MAC certified means you won't get consumers specifically searching out MAC certified stores. I remember an aquatic toxicology class in which the prof began talking about giving up his salt water tank due to environmental concerns - that's your target market - you need to let people like that know that a sustainable option exists - I guess the question then becomes how?
Apathy is a major hurdle in our times."
Just thought I would share.
Kyle
CMA
