David,
Thank you for finally responding to my questions. If the answers are all as easy as you make them seem in this letter, then I have a hard time understanding why it took over a month and a half to compose a response.
Nemo: I understand you using the Nemo as an opportunity to promote responsible reefkeeping. I just think that telling people to "look for MAC certified animals" is jumping the gun a bit when probably less than .000001% of the fish available (or less) are MAC certified. But hey, that's your call. Where is the magnet card you mentioned available? From my understanding, it was distributed at the premiere of Nemo.
CDT: It is understandable that you have to act with organizations outside of MAC to implement the CDT. What is not understandable is why you waited so long to coordinate with them (well after you began certifying fish) and why you set deadlines that you can't reach (especially when you know people are already highly critical of MAC).
Resource Assessments: Just because you say that the assessments have been carried out on both MAC certified areas, doesn't mean that it has to be done in the future. This is from your own standards. You say it is now a requirement for all future areas- is this before or after certification is given?
MAC Certified Importers Responsibility: Glad to hear that you are finally addressing this issue. My main concern is that retailers are aware of this BEFORE they purchase the fish. If the information is on their invoice, they won't be aware of it until after the fish are purchased. I think a notation on the stocklist is the best way of handling this to prevent any confusion. A notation on the invoice should remain as well.
Improper Use of the MAC Label: If it comes to prosecution, where will the money for that come from?
Frankly, I don't expect a response to any of the above questions. Just consider them food for thought or for the trashcan, whichever you prefer. There are a few questions that I would like a response to. You said this earlier:
"Increasing supply that can be certified is the primary focus of our efforts and supply WILL catch up to the demand."
Obviously increasing supply means opening up new areas. These new areas will be in need of training and netting material. How is MAC planning on addressing this? Do you have a training team in place? Do they have the materials they need?
Thank you,
Mary Middlebrook
Thank you for finally responding to my questions. If the answers are all as easy as you make them seem in this letter, then I have a hard time understanding why it took over a month and a half to compose a response.
Nemo: I understand you using the Nemo as an opportunity to promote responsible reefkeeping. I just think that telling people to "look for MAC certified animals" is jumping the gun a bit when probably less than .000001% of the fish available (or less) are MAC certified. But hey, that's your call. Where is the magnet card you mentioned available? From my understanding, it was distributed at the premiere of Nemo.
CDT: It is understandable that you have to act with organizations outside of MAC to implement the CDT. What is not understandable is why you waited so long to coordinate with them (well after you began certifying fish) and why you set deadlines that you can't reach (especially when you know people are already highly critical of MAC).
Resource Assessments: Just because you say that the assessments have been carried out on both MAC certified areas, doesn't mean that it has to be done in the future. This is from your own standards. You say it is now a requirement for all future areas- is this before or after certification is given?
MAC Certified Importers Responsibility: Glad to hear that you are finally addressing this issue. My main concern is that retailers are aware of this BEFORE they purchase the fish. If the information is on their invoice, they won't be aware of it until after the fish are purchased. I think a notation on the stocklist is the best way of handling this to prevent any confusion. A notation on the invoice should remain as well.
Improper Use of the MAC Label: If it comes to prosecution, where will the money for that come from?
Frankly, I don't expect a response to any of the above questions. Just consider them food for thought or for the trashcan, whichever you prefer. There are a few questions that I would like a response to. You said this earlier:
"Increasing supply that can be certified is the primary focus of our efforts and supply WILL catch up to the demand."
Obviously increasing supply means opening up new areas. These new areas will be in need of training and netting material. How is MAC planning on addressing this? Do you have a training team in place? Do they have the materials they need?
Thank you,
Mary Middlebrook
