Fish 'N' Chips
A Monthly Marine Newsletter
May 2006 Issue

Index

From Liz
By Elizabeth M. Lukan 5/14/06

UPS Survey Extended: I haven't gotten nearly the responses I expected, so I am extending the UPS Survey until June 30^th, 2006. Please visit http://www.marinefiends.com/survey-ups.html and complete the survey - even if you don't currently have a UPS.

Just for Laughs: A new section debuts this month! Just for Laughs will feature a family friendly joke each month. Whether this section is published every month or quietly fades away into the sunset is up to you, so visit http://www.marinefiends.com/submit.html to submit your joke(s). Remember, your joke must be family friendly and fish related. If you can't tell it to your children, don't send it to me and expect to see it published.

Visit This Month's Subscriber's Tank Showcase: Me Guy Giasson's 80 Gallon Reef Tank is this month's Showcase (and the first for 2006!) and can be seen at http://www.marinefiends.com/showcases.html. To submit your tank photos and information, visit http://www.marinefiends.com/submittank.html.

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A Short & Sweet Review
Coralife Power Center
By stepnrazr, 08/05/2005
Edited By Elizabeth M. Lukan, 03/17/06

It seemed like a great idea. 8 outlets, four non-timed, and two each on night/day cycles. One could have the main tank lights and fans on during the "day" cycle, with the fuge on during the "night." Or you could have powerheads connected to turn on and off in opposition for wavemaking.

The problem is the unit is very cheaply made. The little yellow and blue plastic thingies that indicate the day and night plugs were falling off within a week. Occasionally the timer stopped turning. Within 8 months it had stopped functioning completely.

Do yourself a favor, buy a heavy-duty powerstrip and some digital timers.

Editor's Comments:
Editing was limited to spelling corrections and some grammar (capitalizing the beginning of a sentence, adding a period at the end, etc.). No other editing was done, what you read was exactly what was posted on the Saltcreep web site.

More information and an image of the product can be found at http://www.esuweb.com/cardfile.asp?ItemNumber=01690&IDProductRelationship=253.

Please visit Saltcreep at http://www.saltcreep.com/ for this review, forums, and much more.

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Doin' It Yourself!
How To Repair Small Leaks in Glass Aquariums in 9 Easy Steps
By Stan & Debbie Hauter
Edited By Elizabeth M. Lukan, 02/18/06

With a few inexpensive items and a little time you can easily repair small or minor leaks in a glass aquarium using these simple instructions.

Difficulty: Average

Time Required: 12 to 24 hours

Here's How:

1. Locate the exact source of the leak and mark it with a felt tip marker.
2. Reduce the water level in the tank until the leak stops.
3. Thoroughly dry and clean the area of and around the leak with a paper towel or soft cloth.
4. With the razor blade, scrape the existing silicone from the leaking area and an additional one inch area around the source of the leak.
5. Clean the scraped area with the acetone applied to a paper towel, being careful not to over saturate it or allow any acetone to run or drip down into the aquarium, and let dry for a few minutes.
6. Apply the silicone sealant to the cleaned area, working it into the glass joint area.
7. Allow the silicone to cure for at least 12 hours, 24 is better.
8. Refill the tank with water to the desired level.
9. Check to see if the repair worked and the leak has stopped.

Tips:

1. Not all sealants are suitable for aquarium use. Use only non-toxic 100% silicone sealants, such All-Glass® brand.
2. Pinpoint the exact location of the leak. Water will be at the bottom of the tank (gravity rules), but most likely the source of the leak will be somewhere else up higher or sideways along the joint or seam.
3. If patching the leak from the outside of the tank does not stop the leak, try patching it from the inside.
4. If patching the leak from the inside does not work, follow the "How To Repair Major Leaks or Replace Broken Glass" instructions. See http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/aquariumdiy/a/aa031302.htm.

What You Need:

• 100% Silicone Sealant
• Acetone
• Single Edged Razor Blades
• Paper Towels
• Felt Tip Marker
• Tank Replacement Water

Editor's Comments:
Editing was limited to spelling and grammar corrections and putting into the Fish 'N' Chips format. This article was originally published by Stan and Debbie Hauter on their section of About.com.

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Caught In The Net
By Elizabeth M. Lukan 05/14/06

New Stuff Found

Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine (http://www.advancedaquarist.com/):

• Volume V, Issue IV, April 2006 - http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2006/4

Reefkeeping Magazine (http://reefkeeping.com/):

• May 2006 - Volume 5, Issue 4 - http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-05/index.php

SeaScope Magazine (http://www.marineland.com/news/news_seascope.asp):

• Volume 22, Issue 2, 2005 - http://www.marineland.com/seascope/SSIssue2_2005.pdf

Wallpaper of the Month

Title: Bubble Ring
Copyright: Brian S. Kissinger, Visual Paradox
Link to Wallpaper: http://www.visualparadox.com/wallpapers/bubblering640.htm

Marine Aquarium Council Update
First Quarter 2006

Director's Note

Ensuring balanced progress on both the supply and the demand sides of implementing MAC Certification is one of the major challenges of applying a new system of standards for a widespread global trade. Implementing MAC Certification continues to progress on both the supply and demand sides in several ways.

As announced in this issue of the MAC News, there are now MAC Certified supplies of cultured marine ornamentals available under the new Mariculture and Aquaculture Management (MAM) Standard. This is a major new extension of the international MAC Standards. The availability of MAC Certified live rock is a particularly important and exciting development. On the 'wild side', a steady supply of MAC Certified fish from Fiji and a growing number of shipments are arriving from the Philippines at MAC Certified importers.

The interest in MAC Certification among wholesalers and retailers continues to grow steadily, with newly interested companies from around the world contacting MAC for information nearly every week. The number of companies that have signed the "MAC Statement of Commitment and Support" is now at over one hundred and thirty (130) companies from twenty-three (23) countries. This includes the leadership of the Botanic company in France, the first 'chain store' to begin working towards MAC Certification.

Also on the demand side, as reported in this MAC News, the public aquarium community is increasingly specific about its commitment to support MAC Certification. Public aquariums were eager to have a "Declaration of Support" for MAC and now they are signing this. Individual aquariums are also increasingly informing their suppliers of tropical marine ornamentals that their policy is now to buy only from MAC Certified companies and to buy MAC Certified marine aquarium organisms when and where possible.

In these ways both the suppliers and buyers of MAC Certified marine ornamentals are providing leadership and commitment to ensuring that the fishery, trade and hobby can be sustainable and responsible.

Certification Update

The First MAC Certified Cultured Marine Ornamentals Now Available, Including the World's First MAC Certified Cultured Live Rock

The MAC Mariculture and Aquaculture Management (MAM) international Standard has been finalized for its initial use. Three producers have already successfully achieved MAC Certification. The MAM Standard covers the mariculture and aquaculture management, propagation, collection, and culturing of marine aquarium organisms, including:

• Facility set up and operation, such as of sea cages, cultured live rock, coral propagation, grow-out ponds;
• Culturing activities, from broodstock/post-larvae collection through to grow-out for market; and
• Packaging and transport of cultured marine ornamentals.

The Standard includes culturing in the natural environment as well as in "stand-alone" operations (i.e., operations solely for culturing of marine ornamentals) and "in facility" operations (i.e., culturing and propagation in facilities for wholesale, retail, research, etc).

In January, two independent MAC Accredited certifiers undertook a test Certification audit and evaluation of compliance to the MAM Standard of three companies, one in the UK and two in the US, which have successfully obtained MAC Certification. These cultured fish and live rock respond to the increasing demand for MAC Certified organisms by offering a complementary supply to the existing wild caught MAC Certified marine ornamentals. To be sold as MAC Certified, these marine ornamentals have to pass along the unbroken MAC Certified chain of custody, guaranteeing their traceability and their optimum health.

The newly MAC Certified companies that are providing the world's first internationally MAC Certified cultured marine ornamentals, including live rock, are:

• Hawaiian Live Rock, Hawaii;
• Rain Garden Ornamentals, Hawaii; and
• Tropical Marine Centre, UK.

The contact information for these companies is to be found on the MAC website, where the only official list of MAC Certified operators is available at: http://www.aquariumcouncil.org/.

The tested final draft of the MAM international Standard is now available for other companies seeking Certification under the pilot phase of its implementation in 2006. If you are interested in becoming MAC Certified under the MAC MAM Standard for the pilot phase, then please email: info@aquariumcouncil.org.

Philippines Update

MAC Partnership with Tetra Tech, Inc.

MAC has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tetra Tech EM, Inc. This company is the Philippines subsidiary of one of the largest providers of environmental and management consulting services in the USA. The MoU seeks project level collaboration between MAC and Tetra Tech in promoting sustainable reefs and fisheries. Tetra Tech is already a performance based contractor for USAID, and manages a project called "Fisheries for Improved and Sustainable Harvest" (FISH). As Tetra Tech and MAC are working with similar constituencies, namely coastal fishing communities in the Philippines, the understanding focuses on:

• Fostering complimentarily tools, methods and approaches (i.e. flow of MAC Collection Area Management Plans into broader Fisheries or Coastal Management Plans, where relevant),
• Adoption of common technical assistance focal points (such as integration of work planning at the field level, collaboration of area managers, fisheries profiling, coastal law enforcement, fisheries management and licensing, information management, information, education and communication),
• Reduction in potential efforts duplication (such as development of policy, training modules and communications materials), and
• Collaboration and joint efforts for information system management, when relevant and required. For example: sharing of information on resource assessments and surveys, MPA monitoring systems, GIS maps, training and capacity building.

Cooperation is already taking place as MAC staff has participated in Tetra Tech training activities in Palawan, and Cebu-Bohol. Representatives from both organizations also participated in a seminar on coastal law enforcement sponsored by another USAID supported project, EcoGov. MAC is now discussing the opportunity to develop an interproject cyanide task force, in order to implement well informed, strategic, and feasible approaches to address the use of chemicals in marine ornamentals collection and fishing practices.

Running a Successful Collection Operation: Business Training for Collectors

A fundamental part of a sustainable, responsible marine ornamentals fishery at the community level is operating an economically viable enterprise. Few collectors have had any education or training in even basic business skills. This impacts their ability to ensure feasible collection activities that support sustainable livelihoods.

To address this, the Conservation and Community Investment Forum (CCIF), working with MAC as part of the Marine Aquarium Market Trade Initiative (MAMTI), developed a set of business training materials through workshops with collectors and industry operators. The training goal is to build the capacity of the aquarium fisher communities in MAC Certified sites in Indonesia and the Philippines. The business training covers five (5) major topics: realizing the need to improve business practices, building understanding of the industry and supply chain, establishing a collectors cooperative planning, managing a viable collectors group, and building skills in financial management. To reinforce the understanding of the different modules, CCIF developed an integrative "business game". The business game is conducted at the end of the training in the form of a participative case study, in which the collectors apply knowledge from the training and integrate the five (5) modules in a fun and engaging series of exercises.

The capacity building process started in September 2005 with a 'Training of Trainers' session where the CCIF and MAMTI 'trainers to be' were introduced to the training program and materials as well as basic trainer's skills and good behaviors. Pilot training on the ground was then conducted in Coron (Philippines) in September 2006 and in Tejakula, Bali (Indonesia) in February 2006. Since then, a number of other sites have been trained in both countries and many more are to come.

Indonesia Update

MAC Partnership with Leadership for Environmental and Development (LEAD)

MAC and LEAD Indonesia have developed a partnership with the support from the UK Darwin Initiative to work with the collectors and communities of Buleleng district, North Bali, building on the success of MAC Certification in other communities of Bali.

The collaborative project will enhance the capacity of local fishing communities to manage, restore and use sustainably the fish populations in a key buffer zone of one of the richest areas of marine biodiversity in Indonesia. This represents the transformation of unsustainable exploitation of live ornamental fish through sustainable practices, habitat protection, and more generally the adoption of the MAC Standards by the local fishing communities.

The buffer zone around Bali Barat National Park has been significantly damaged as a result of cyanide and dynamite fishing. Thus, a change of practices is needed to preserve the park itself and more generally the coral reef's ecosystem. The project will provide target communities with economic incentives, capacity building and business skills to promote conservation through the sustainable use of reef fish.

Pacific Update

Solomon Islands Livelihoods Project

A three-year project in the Solomon Islands has begun with local communities to encourage and develop environmentally-friendly aquaculture techniques for culture of post-larvae fish and invertebrates, giant clams and hard and soft corals, as well as responsible harvesting of wild caught marine ornamentals. The project is being led by the World Fish Center, in partnership with MAC and WWF, and is supported by New Zealand. MAC will conduct capacity building with the collectors and communities for the Ecosystem and Fisheries Management (EFM), the Collection, Fishing and Holding (CFH), and the Mariculture and Aquaculture Management (MAM) Standards. MAC representatives will also develop awareness materials in the local language.

Workshop on the Review of Coral Reef Monitoring in Fiji

In March 2006, MAC participated in a two-day workshop focused on reviewing methods and biological approaches to coral reefs in Fiji. Participants included government representatives, other groups (WWF, SOPAC, SeaWeb, Peace Corp Volunteers, Wildlife Conservation Society, Mamanuca Environmental Society), University of the South Pacific and hotel industry representatives. Much of the discussion emphasized on the establishment of a Pacific Reefbase and the strengthening of the Fiji Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN). Availability of coral reef survey information through the Pacific Reefbase and Fiji GCRMN could facilitate monitoring of the aquarium collection and non-collection areas.

European Update

The First Chain Store Engaged in a More Responsible Marine Ornamental Trade

Botanic, one of the leading garden and animal centers in France has decided to seek MAC Certification for the aquarium section of its forty seven (47) stores in France. Dedicated to sustainable development and nature conservation, this progressive, responsible family owned chain store has already established a comprehensive company policy on environmental sustainability. It is now applying that policy to its marine aquatics division by signing the 'MAC Statement of Commitment and Support' (SOC) and making a commitment to purchase marine ornamentals only from MAC Certified companies, whenever possible.

This orientation corresponds to the philosophy of the company, which has been dedicated to forest conservation since it was founded ten (10) years ago. With the adoption of the MAC Handling, Husbandry, and Transport (HHT) international Standard, it is now planning to offer its clients an equivalent for the marine ornamentals in its aquarium section. This commitment and leadership by this responsible international company has already motivated Botanic's suppliers to contact MAC to achieve MAC Certification, at the same time or even prior to the MAC Certification assessment of the two Botanic pilot stores.

All companies that have signed the SOC are listed on the MAC website at: http://www.aquariumcouncil.org/subpage.asp?page=167&section=3. The total number of SOC signers now stands at one hundred and thirty two (132) companies from twenty-three (23) countries.

To facilitate the submission of the SOC to the MAC Secretariat, this form can be completed online from the MAC website in English, French, German, Italian or Spanish at: http://www.aquariumcouncil.org/subpage.asp?page=17&section=3.

North America Update

MAC Welcomes North America Director

John Brandt has recently come on board as the acting North America Director, bringing a wide range of experience to MAC. John will be interacting with industry operators interested in becoming MAC Certified, as well as facilitating communications and follow up coordination with existing MAC Certified operators. He will also work to develop our continuing outreach and public relations through presentations, media and presence at conferences and trade shows.

John served on the Board of Directors of MAC, the Marine Aquarium Societies of North America (MASNA) and the Chicago and Marine Aquarium Society (CMAS). He has worked for over twenty-five (25) years in the aquarium trade in many different capacities and has been increasingly involved in the issues of sustainability, regulation and the responsibilities of all involved parties. His support and awareness of the necessity for reef conservation makes him an asset to MAC and we are pleased to have him working with us. John Brandt is based in Chicago, Illinois and can be contacted at: john.brandt@aquariumcouncil.org.

MAC Outreach and Communications

The World Ocean Network and MAC

As a member of the World Ocean Network (WON), MAC participated to the 3rd International Meeting held at Nausicaa, France (January 29th - February 2nd). The World Ocean Network is a working group dedicated to public outreach, and is part of the Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts and Islands. This 3rd WON meeting gathered a record number of one hundred and twenty (120) representatives from thirty-three (33) countries.

Under the theme "Acting Together for the Future of the Blue Planet", MAC Communications Director, Nathalie Gamain, participated in the different workshops of this meeting; and more particularly to represent a voice for sustainable management of the reefs with a responsible marine ornamental trade through best practices and international standards. At the end of the meeting, the first General Assembly was organized to officially launch the World Ocean Network, as an international not for profit association. The key objectives of the network remain to sensitize the general public to ocean conservation and preservation, with the distribution of the World Ocean Passport and the Celebration of the World Ocean Day (June 8). For more information, visit the WON website at www.worldoceannetwork.com.

MAC Presentations at Marine Ornamentals 2006

MAC was well represented at the Marine Ornamentals conference held in Las Vegas, Nevada (February 14-16, 2006). Presentations were given by Gayatri Lilley (MAC Indonesia Director), John Brandt (MAC North America Director), and Svein Fosså (MAC Board of Directors). Gayatri's presentation, "a Sustainable Marine Aquarium Trade: Whose Responsibility?" highlighted the role of the entire marine ornamental trade chain of custody toward the trade and the actions each one can take to ensure a more responsible industry. Much of her presentation focused on issues related to Indonesian marine ornamental fishers and exporters. John's presentation, "Issues of Sustainability, Reform and Regulation of the Marine Aquarium Industry and Hobby" outlined the concerns of a responsible trade and hobby and also described organizations involved in working to make this possible. Svein presented, "the Suitable Species Concept: What Makes a Wild Species a Suitable Aquarium Animal?" which covered the history and modern relevance of marine organisms that might be regarded as unsuitable for the trade and hobby.

Presentations about sustainability and conservation attracted a large audience as they provided an overview of the various challenges facing the industry as a whole, as well as a number of initiatives being implemented to address identified problems.

MAC Presence at the Convention on Biological Diversity

The 20th Global Biodiversity Forum on "Verifying Biodiversity Trade: 2010 Challenges" was convened in conjunction with the 8th Conference of Parties (COP8) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), held in Curialba, Brazil in late March. The CBD is the world's international treaty on the conservation and sustainable use on the environment. MAC Board member, Frank Vorhies, made a presentation at the Global Biodiversity Forum on Sustainable Trade in Biodiversity through the Marine Aquarium Council Certification.

Increasing Support from the Public Aquariums Community

In response to the interest expressed by public aquariums to improve their support for MAC Certification, a "MAC Public Aquarium Declaration of Support" has been developed. Dr. David Gibson (Director of Husbandry and Operations) of The Deep, the first European Aquarium which signed the Declaration says: "Encouraging the Marine Aquarium Council through its mission is a logical step for our institution. The Deep, as a conservation and education charity, is also dedicated to the future of the oceans, and in particular coral reefs".

Taking this commitment into the commercial world, several institutions in Europe, such as the Horniman Museums and Gardens in the UK, now have policies encouraging the sustainable management of reefs and a responsible trade through the acquisition of MAC Certified marine ornamentals. "The acquisition policy for our new reef aquarium displays emphasizes the importance of using MAC Certified species. As a World cultures and Environments Museum, it is important that we encourage responsible trade through sustainable management of the reefs", states Kerwin Porter, Aquarium Curator at the Horniman Museum and Gardens in the UK.

Certain institutions' acquisition policies even require collaborating with MAC Certified industry operators when possible, such as at the Oceanario de Lisboa, Portugal. "Today, when our Institution needs to populate its tanks with marine ornamental organisms we prefer to contact MAC Certified operators in Europe. This is part of our quality seeking strategy and support of a more responsible marine ornamental trade we try to enhance at our aquarium", emphasizes Nuria Baylina, Curator of the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) Oceanario de Lisboa.

To a further extent those institutions have also started to sensitize their visitors about MAC and its programs, through the distribution of MAC documents, and the creation of MAC exhibits developed from the MAC Public Aquarium Resources Kit. "With the opening of our new Aquarium section this coming summer, we plan to open a living reef exhibit populated exclusively by MAC Certified species. This approach will give us the opportunity to sensitize our visitors to a responsible marine ornamental trade, but also to display several informative panels about sustainable management of the reefs through best practices and international Standards, which the Marine Aquarium Council provides to the industry", states Mr. Porter.

These efforts have already crossed oceans, with institutions such as the Underwater World Guam which has developed an acquisition policy in support of MAC Certification, as well as the Ithaca Science Center (NY, USA) which has signed the Declaration of Support.

Being perceived by the general public as model for their conservation, education and research programs, public aquariums and museums have started to sensitize their visitors to the marine ornamental trade and coral reefs issues, with the introduction of the MAC programs. If your institution would like to support MAC and receive the MAC Public Aquarium Declaration of Support, or the MAC Public Aquarium Resources kit, please contact MAC Communications Director at: nathalie.gamain@aquariumcouncil.org.

Remember to visit the MAC website at http://www.aquariumcouncil.org/ for more information and to subscribe to the newsletter.

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Marine News
By Elizabeth M. Lukan 05/15/06

04/17/06, Reef Relief, Inc.
Artists of Eastern Cuba Show in Key West & Online to benefit Reef Relief
http://www.reefrelief.org/reefreliefnews/reefnews.asp?file=20060129articles.html

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Chips...er...Tips
Airline to Rigid Pipe Adapter
By Ian Brunsdon, 03/18/06
Edited By Elizabeth M. Lukan, 03/18/06

Here's a super quick tip... If you carefully cut away the softwood on a wooden airstone with a craft knife, you get a very handy airline to rigid pipe adapter! My dog discovered that one!

Editor's Comments:
Editing was limited to spelling and grammar corrections and putting into the Fish 'N' Chips format.

To Submit Your Tip: Visit http://www.marinefiends.com/submit.html.

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Upcoming Events
By Elizabeth M. Lukan 05/15/06

To Submit Your Event: Visit http://www.marinefiends.com/submit.html.

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Just for Laughs
Submitted by Doreen Pratt, 05/05/06
Edited by Elizabeth M. Lukan 05/15/06

I went to a seafood disco last week ... and pulled a mussel.

To Submit Your Joke: Visit http://www.marinefiends.com/submit.html. Your joke must be family friendly and fish related. If you can't tell it to your children, don't send it to me and expect to see it published.

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