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O rnamental F ish C ertification P rograms ( OFCP ). Ex-situ threats to the ornamental Fishery. Increasing regulations could cause significant complications for the industry . OIE. Ex-situ threats to the ornamental fishery.
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Ex-situ threats to the ornamental Fishery • Increasing regulations could cause significant complications for the industry OIE
Ex-situ threats to the ornamental fishery • Increasing regulations could cause significant complications for the industry • Multinational retail chains disfavor wild-caught ornamental fish
Ex-situ threats to the ornamental fishery • Increasing regulations could cause significant complications for the industry • Retail chains disfavor wild-caught ornamental fish • Farmed fish could replace wild-caught fish
Certification Identifies products that meet established standards and specifications • Standards are established to measure a product and trade practices • Data can be: • Quantitative (e.g. – quality increase and mortality decrease) • Qualitative (e.g. -mortality should be less than 3%) • Examples • Marine Aquarium Council • Fair Trade Coffee
Eco-label • A certification program that strives to meet an environmental benefit • Examples • Marine Stewardship Council • Forestry Stewardship Council
International Certification for Quality and Sustainability of Marine Ornamentals From reef ... … to retail
Critical elements of certification • Identifiable goals and outcomes • Addresses as many stakeholder concerns as is practical and necessary (no more) • Method of verification • Qualitative vs. quantitative • Independence • 3rd party certification
Elements of an OFCP • Industry standards and best handling practices • Tracibility: Connecting consumers to producers • Value adding and strategic marketing thorough certification • Industry sectors • Harvest • Export • (Import) • (Retail sale)
Potential benefits for the S.A. Aquarium industry • Competition from aquaculture • Negative public perception • Increasing regulations • Market demand challenges
Potential benefits for the S.A. Aquarium industry • Competition from aquaculture • Eco-labeIling • Negative public perception • Aquarium fish from managed fisheries are the environmentally appropriate choice • Increasing regulations • Transparency and compliancy • Market demand challenges • Focused to address current and pending threats and opportunities
How to develop an OFCP • Assess issues critical to stakeholders • Promote demand for certified ornamental fishery products • Draft “Industry Standards and Practices” • Independent, neutral party • Develop auditing scheme • 3rd party auditing • Implement
Exporter’s Association Fisher’s Association Academic Community Consumers Regional NGOs & communities Retailers Industry Standards Ministry of Agriculture Animal Rights Orgs. Fiscalization Receita Federal International NGOs Environmental Regulators IBAMA International Trade Groups International Regulators Airlines Importer’s Associations
Partnerships • NGO • Neutral party • Technically specialized research and conservation departments • Relevant experience • Technical: Aquatic veterinary, disease screening, stress mitigation, quality control • Advisory: working with industry to support environmentally friendly wild food fisheries and aquaculture products • established certification programs • working with SA ornamental industry for more than 10 years • Direct access to markets
Project Piaba Research funding: CNPq, ACEPOAM, FAO, OFI, Private Foundations and individuals, Vancouver Aquarium Society, Newport Aquarium, Boston Aquarium Society, Northeast Council of Aquarium Societies, Thermo Orion, Inc., Collaborations with public Institutions and Aquaria: AZA "Conservation Action Partners:Brazil" NEAq - Boston (research agreement) NAIB - Baltimore (research agreement) ZSL - London (agreement in the works) Industry support: OFI (funding and promotion) Tetra (supplies donation) OATA ( promotion and information sharing)