ABSTRACT:

MAC CERTIFICATION FORUM FOR HOBBYISTS

According to surveys, about 50% of aquarists are familiar with the Marine Aquarium Council (MAC Certification). Whether you are on the half that knows or that half that doesn’t, this IMAC session gives you the opportunity to hear about MAC Certification first-hand, have your questions answered and your comments heard by MAC Director Paul Holthus.

Paul will update IMAC on MAC’s expanding efforts in the Pacific, Philippines and Indonesia. Hobbyists can anticipate an increasing volume and variety of MAC Certified marine ornamentals from reefs that are managed for sustainable use, from collectors who are trained in proper harvesting and post-harvest handling and from wholesalers and retailers who utilize handling and transport procedures that minimize stress and mortality.

Paul will also provide the latest on the MAC Chemical Detection Test (CDT) and Monitoring Program; MAC resource assessments and monitoring (MAQTRAC); the development of collection area management plans (CAMPs) and marine protected areas (MPA’s) and other topics that are of interest and concern to the audience.

MAC is a non-profit organization that works with concerned parties to bring the tangible benefits of international standards for environmental and quality management and independent third-party certification to the marine aquarium trade and hobby.