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

Index

From Liz
By Elizabeth M. Lukan 04/10/06

UPS Survey: A UPS or an Uninterruptible Power Supply/System (or battery backup) is considered basic equipment for most computer users. How many of you have one hooked into your tank's setup? How many plan to include one? These and more questions await your responses at http://www.marinefiends.com/survey-ups.html. The survey ends on May 1^st, 2006. I'll compile the results and publish them in the June 2006 issue (time permitting).

Mailing List Upgrade: Just a quick note to let you know that I have to do some maintenance on the mailing list software. It shouldn't mean a thing to you but I may remove it from the site for a bit while I upgrade the software and put in some extra security for the administrative parts. I plan to have all this done before the May issue.

Site List: As I mentioned in last month's issue, the site list is still in limbo. I am not yet ready to tackle a redesign. I will keep you informed.

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Critter Corner
MAC Certified Organisms Available from more Countries
By Nathalie Gamain, MAC Communications Program and Paul Holthus, MAC Executive Director
Edited by Elizabeth M. Lukan 03/14/06

A fishermen village in the Philippines.

A fisherman on his boat, in the Philippines.

Net making training for fishermen, in Indonesia.

Fishermen collecting marine organisms with the net method, in Indonesia.

EFM and CFH documentations in a fishermen village, in the Philippines.

Collectors group meeting with Certifiers in Indonesia.

A significant number of suppliers of marine aquarium organisms have achieved the Marine Aquarium Council (MAC) Certification in recent months in the Philippines, Fiji and for the first time ever, in Indonesia. A total of fifteen collection areas and associated collectors groups, and fifteen exporters have become MAC Certified; after being independently assessed for their ability to ensure their collection, handling, holding and transport of marine ornamentals in compliance with the international MAC Standards. They join the collectors and companies in the Philippines, Fiji, the UK, France, US, Canada, Singapore that are already MAC Certified as part of the growing effort to verify the quality and sustainability of marine aquarium organisms for importers, retailers and hobbyists in Europe, and the rest of the world.

In mid-2005, a MAC Accredited certifier assessment team visited a large number of collection areas and exporters in Indonesia, the Philippines and Fiji;, to assess these areas and industry operators for compliance with the appropriate international MAC Standards. Achieving MAC Certification means better management of the resources, performance and operating activities to maintain a more responsible and more sustainable marine ornamentals trade - and provide healthier, high qualify marine animals to aquarium keeper worldwide.

For the fishing communities and collectors, the MAC Accredited certifier evaluates the management of the collection area for compliance with the MAC Ecosystem and Fishery Management (EFM) Standard. The certifier also assesses the collection, handling and holding practices of the collectors for compliance with the MAC Collection, Fishing and Holding (CFH) Standard. At the end of the assessment visits by the MAC Accredited certifier team, a total of thirteen new MAC Certified collection areas and associated groups became MAC Certified, and two previously MAC Certified areas and collectors groups were successfully re-certified. At the exporters' level, MAC staff worked with companies committed to achieve or maintain certified status according to the MAC Handling, Husbandry and Transport (HHT) Standard. In the three countries, thirteen new exporters become MAC Certified and two previously MAC Certified exporters were re-certified. Those results will encourage Italian and other European marine ornamental importers to become MAC Certified and provide to their customers MAC Certified organisms.

The assessment by an independent certifier is rigorous and objective - several collection areas, collectors groups and exporters did not succeed in becoming certified, or qualify for re-certification. However, the commitment to quality and sustainability for many of the communities involved is such that they are intensifying their efforts to correct the deficiencies in their compliance for a re-evaluation as soon as possible.

A complete official list of the MAC Certified areas, collectors and companies is available on the MAC website: http://www.aquariumcouncil.org/.

MAC continues to work with communities, collectors and exporters in those countries to provide a growing, more consistent flow of high quality and diverse MAC Certified organisms from managed coral reefs. MAC Certified marine ornamentals are only available from MAC Certified suppliers. To be sold as MAC Certified, the marine aquarium organisms must pass through an unbroken chain of MAC Certified operators from "Reef to Retail."

Italian importers, retailers and aquarium keepers should contact their suppliers to ask about the availability of MAC Certified organisms from Fiji, Indonesia and the Philippines, as industry and market demand for MAC Certification is essential to ensuring a healthy future of the marine aquarium trade.

For more information about MAC and its international Standards, please visit its website: http://www.aquariumcouncil.org/; and send your request at info@aquariumcouncil.org.

Editor's Comments:
Editing was limited to spelling and grammar corrections and putting into the Fish 'N' Chips format. The above was originally published in Reef Art in Autumn 2005 in Italian. Nathalie Gamain of the Marine Aquarium Council granted permission for it's reprinting in Fish 'N' Chips and supplied the translation into English.

Photo Credits:
All the photos and the MAC graphic were supplied by Nathalie Gamain along with the article. They are all the property of the Marine Aquarium Council.

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A Short & Sweet Review
Coralife Deep Six Hydrometer
By RickJames, 08/03/2005
Edited By Elizabeth M. Lukan, 03/17/06

I have been using the Coralife Deep Six Hydrometer for about 6 months now so I thought I would share my experiences.

Pros: I think it's a decent hydrometer to the effect that it's pretty clear how to read the results. I found it easy to get a specimen of water since the unit is so long. The best thing about this hydrometer is the price, which normally is found in a range of $10.00 - $13.00 give or take a few $$.

Negs: The needle seems to get stuck quite often meaning that I have to hit the unit to unstick the needle. I often find myself questioning the reading because of that. I have used vinegar from time to time but the unit when calibrated is still off a couple of degrees making it very inaccurate.

Bottom Line: If you are in a jam and don't have the money, then get this. I works decent for a short amount of time but long enough to get your funds together. I would definitely suggest a refractor over this product any day of the week.

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 written by RickJames and 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=AF877&IDProductRelationship=3 (url dead 03/09/08).

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

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Caught In The Net
By Elizabeth M. Lukan 04/09/06

New Stuff Found

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

• Volume V, Issue III, March 2006 - http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2006/3/

New Web Site Found

A Web Site Announcement from William at FragDeals.com:
We have set up a new website called FragDeals.com at http://www.fragdeals.com/ where users can buy, sell, or trade their coral frags in over 184 categories! Basic listings are absolutely free which includes image hosting and advanced features to get your listing noticed. Please check it out and tell your friends to join the fun! If you own a business, retail store, or are in the aquarium industry, we offer free business accounts. These accounts differ from personal accounts in that you can upload your company logo to be shown in all your listings. You are also included in our "Live Fish Store" directory with links to your website, contact information, and phone number. It also gets you listed in our daily new listings email to all our members. Please also contact us if you are interested in special sponsorship or advertising opportunities. If you own a business, please go to http://www.fragdeals.com/stores/ for more information.

Wallpaper of the Month

Title: Davy Jones's Locker
Copyright: Isaura Simon, The Artist's Gallery
Link to Wallpaper: http://www.isauras.com/renderings/renderings.html?id=135

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Marine News
By Elizabeth M. Lukan 04/10/06

03/01/06, Marine Conservation Society (MCS)
Supermarkets begin to tackle the issue of sourcing sustainable fish
http://www.mcsuk.org/press/press_release.php?cust_id=62 (url dead 03/09/08)

03/12/06, Reef Relief, Inc.
New Masters Course in Marine Environmental Management at the University of York, UK
http://www.reefrelief.org/reefreliefnews/reefnews.asp?file=20060311articles.html

03/12/06, Reef Relief, Inc.
U.S. Gets a D+ on Ocean Policy Reform Nation's Oceans and Coasts Key to Competitiveness
http://www.reefrelief.org/reefreliefnews/reefnews.asp?file=20060311aarticles.html

03/28/06, Marine Conservation Society (MCS)
Beachwatch 2005 Results
http://www.mcsuk.org/press/press_release.php?cust_id=64 (url dead 03/09/08)

03/28/06, Marine Conservation Society (MCS)
Beachwatch 2005 Results (scotland specific)
http://www.mcsuk.org/press/press_release.php?cust_id=63 (url dead 03/09/08)

03/28/06, The Independent
Cod taken off the shelves at Asda to preserve stocks
http://news.independent.co.uk/environment/article354057.ece

03/29/06, Marine Conservation Society (MCS)
Marine Bill must protect marine life as well as marine industries development
http://www.mcsuk.org/press/press_release.php?cust_id=65 (url dead 03/09/08)

03/29/06, ENN: Environmental News Network
Island Nation Creates Third Largest Marine Park
http://www.enn.com/today.html?id=10161

03/31/06, ENN: Environmental News Network
Caribbean Coral Suffers Record Bleaching, Death
http://www.enn.com/today.html?id=10177

Recalls

"AquaPod" 12-Gallon Aquariums are being recalled by Current USA Inc., of Vista, California, USA because when only one of the lamp power cords are plugged in, the other can become energized and poses an electrical shock hazard. Consumers should stop using these aquariums and contact their local retailer or Current USA Inc. (http://www.current-usa.com/) for information on receiving a free replacement aquarium. Visit https://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml06/06111.html for the press release and photos of the item.

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Chips...er...Tips
Feeding Tip #5
By Stan & Debbie Hauter
Edited By Elizabeth M. Lukan, 01/13/06

When buying fish foods, purchase foods that are already vitamin enhanced and are specifically designed for feeding marine animals.

Editor's Comments:
Editing was limited to spelling and grammar corrections and putting into the Fish 'N' Chips format. The above is part of a larger article, How To Tips For Feeding Saltwater Livestock, which can be found at http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/fishphotosa_b/ht/feedswfish.htm.

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

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Upcoming Events
By Elizabeth M. Lukan 04/10/06

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

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Prove It!, a Bibliography
By Elizabeth M. Lukan 04/09/06

Article: Marine News

• The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Subscription List (http://www.cpsc.gov)

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