Ornamental Fish Certification Programs(OFCP)

New England

Aquarium

Ex-situ threats to the ornamental Fishery

Increasing regulations could cause significant complications for the industry

OIE

New England

Aquarium

Multinational retail chains disfavor wild-caught ornamental fish

Increasing regulations could cause significant complications for the industry

Ex-situ threats to the ornamental fishery

New England

Aquarium

Farmed fish could replace wild-caught fish

Retail chains disfavor wild-caught ornamental fish

Increasing regulations could cause significant complications for the industry

Ex-situ threats to the ornamental fishery

New England

Aquarium

New England

Aquarium

New England

Aquarium

New England

Aquarium

New England

Aquarium

CertificationIdentifies 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

New England

Aquarium

Eco-label

A certification program that strives to meet an environmental benefit

Examples Marine Stewardship Council Forestry Stewardship Council

New England

Aquarium

From reef ...

International Certification for Quality and Sustainability of Marine Ornamentals

… to retail

New England

Aquarium

Critical elements of certification

Identifiable goals and outcomesAddresses as many stakeholder concerns as

is practical and necessary (no more)Method of verification

Qualitative vs. quantitative

Independence 3rd party certification

New England

Aquarium

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)

New England

Aquarium

Potential benefits for the S.A. Aquarium industry

Competition from aquaculture

Negative public perception

Increasing regulations

Market demand challenges

New England

Aquarium

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

New England

Aquarium

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

New England

Aquarium

Industry Standards

Fisher’s Association

International NGOs

International Regulators

Regional NGOs &

communities

Academic Community

Importer’s Associations

Environmental Regulators

IBAMA

Ministry of Agriculture

Exporter’s Association

Consumers

Retailers

Animal Rights Orgs.

International Trade

Groups

FiscalizationReceita Federal

Airlines

New England

Aquarium

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

New England

Aquarium

©

New England

Aquarium

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)

New England

Aquarium