AMDA INDUSTRY REFORM ROUNDTABLE @ MACNA

[clarionreef]

Hello everyone,
AMDA [ American Marinelife Dealers Association] will be hosting its first annual INDUSTRY ROUNDTABLE TOWN HALL OPEN FORUM at the upcoming MACNA conference.
It will take place in the AMDA room at 5:00pm on Saturday, Sept. 6th.. immediately after the last presentation of the day and before the evening banquet.
All hobbyists, dealers, industry members and NGOs are invited to attend.
The discussion will be moderated by a fair, firm and neutral trade figure yet to be determined...and invited. Any suggestions? Lets hear it!
Sincerely, Steve Robinson
president, AMDA

 

[Nancy Swart]

Since I'm not in the trade my suggestions probably don't count but I think Eric Cohen of SDC would make an excellent moderator. If you're talking Retail, then I'd suggest Rick Preuss.

Nancy

 

[dizzy]

Nancy,
I think people like Eric and Rick would probably rather be participants. I think a more neutral moderator from the fringes of the trade would be a better choice. I believe the purpose is to try and get the various factions of the reform movement back on the same page. We hope to discuss some issues that will serve as bridges instead of walls. I favor someone like Martin Moe Jr. if he will accept.
Mitch

 

[Nancy Swart]

I don't consider Martin a "trade figure" but he'd be an excellent choice.

Nancy

 

[naesco]

All of your suggestions for moderators are fine people.
But, your industry is facing a critical point in its existance.
Your choice should be someone who will lead the troops to convince your fellow industry types that they change their ways o,r they are out of business.
Sorry for being 'to the point'.

 

[dizzy]

All of your suggestions for moderators are fine people.
But, your industry is facing a critical point in its existance.
Your choice should be someone who will lead the troops to convince your fellow industry types that they change their ways o,r they are out of business.
Sorry for being 'to the point'.

Wayne,
I'm just curious as to your defintion of moderator.

 

[clarionreef]

Wayne,
Someone to kinda "lead the loggers to not cut down the old growth redwood trees..." is what you are getting at? Where do we find such a "moderator? "
Look, we're trying to convince marinelife dealers and hobbyists to become their better selves and to support constructive measures to solve the problems from within. If we are un-successful, the work in the Philippines will be harder, but it will still go forth.
Leaping right ahead to the 'threat phase' will probably not go down too well. However...it might if there is a gun at their heads. Do you have such a gun? If so, now would be the time to show it. In a week the attention of many will be focused on this issue.
Sincerely, Steve




PS. Please do your part and donate to the AMDA NET FUND or something...anything.
Putting a 20 foot piece of barrier netting in the hands of a converted cyanide fisherman is a greater achievement that 99% of the talk put out on the matter.

 

[Anonymous]

You don't consider Martin Moe Jr. to be a trade figure? So even though he's ran a aquaculture facility and written many books that are considerred marine aquarium bibles by some, he's not in the industry? Does his money not come from aquarist's who buy his books and pay to see him speak?

 

[naesco]

Wayne,
Someone to kinda "lead the loggers to not cut down the old growth redwood trees..." is what you are getting at? Where do we find such a "moderator? "
Look, we're trying to convince marinelife dealers and hobbyists to become their better selves and to support constructive measures to solve the problems from within. If we are un-successful, the work in the Philippines will be harder, but it will still go forth.
Leaping right ahead to the 'threat phase' will probably not go down too well. However...it might if there is a gun at their heads. Do you have such a gun? If so, now would be the time to show it. In a week the attention of many will be focused on this issue.
Sincerely, Steve

Thanks for your post Steve.
I wish I had started this sooner. MACNA would have been an excellent opportunity to put the issue front and center before reefers and industry.
It would have been an opportunity for me to meet industry types face to face so that they could see the sincereity in my eyes and the committment in my voice.

Guns!!! We don't use guns up here it is business. It is simply a business decision for industry.
Do I risk my investment and my future earnings as a result of closure of the P/I market or do I look to sources of supply other than P/I.
Do I put my profit in defending felony charges under the Lacey Act or do I bail out of P/I.
I hope that there are representatives from P/I at your meetings. I you are uncertain make sure they attend. They need to know that the party is over. They will be required to invest in both the CDT and training. They need to know that although an embargo will severely hurt US industry they have other sources for fish. The P/I suppliers cannot replace the US market.
From my part you need to know that on the embargo issue that I am not wasting my time with minor bureaucrats. I am seeking the ear of the decision maker and I am going to tell him everything I know.
With the Lacey Act, all we need is the evidence.







PS. Please do your part and donate to the AMDA NET FUND or something...anything.
Putting a 20 foot piece of barrier netting in the hands of a converted cyanide fisherman is a greater achievement that 99% of the talk put out on the matter.

 

[Anonymous]

Arrg, did Jaime teach you his posting method Neasco?

 

[MaryHM]

Honestly, if Wayne is so freaking concerned I don't know why he refuses to go to MACNA.

 

[dgasmd]

What is the topic or topics to bring forth??

 

[Nancy Swart]

What about Mike Kirda as a Moderator??? He's not a wholesaler or retailer so can be neutral and objective. He's been to the Philippines so is acutely aware of the fishermen's problems there. He is sincere in his passion for reform. Just a thought...

Nancy

 

[Anonymous]

I agree. I'll second the nom for Mike Kirda.

I can do that, right?

Peace,

Chip

 

[mkirda]

I agree. I'll second the nom for Mike Kirda.

I can do that, right?

Hey, Chip and all...

You can do that, but I not sure I should accept.

I expect to be one person in the debate.
And not in a position as moderator, but maybe as 'moderate'...

Although, reading this over my shoulder, my wife offered to be moderator as long as someone pays for her meals. She's tired of reading the arguments, she says. About time we accomplished something...

Regards.
Mike Kirda

 

[John_Brandt]

Hello everyone,
AMDA [ American Marinelife Dealers Association] will be hosting its first annual INDUSTRY ROUNDTABLE TOWN HALL OPEN FORUM at the upcoming MACNA conference.
It will take place in the AMDA room at 5:00pm on Saturday, Sept. 6th.. immediately after the last presentation of the day and before the evening banquet.
All hobbyists, dealers, industry members and NGOs are invited to attend.
The discussion will be moderated by a fair, firm and neutral trade figure yet to be determined...and invited. Any suggestions? Lets hear it!
Sincerely, Steve Robinson
president, AMDA

Steve,

The banquet starts at 7:30pm and most people will want to be in line for it by at least 7:15pm. There is usually a desire to get cleaned-up and put on nice clothes for the banquet as well. These factors affect the time available for a meeting right before the banquet.

A Town Hall Open Forum that starts at 5:00pm on Saturday may need to be kept to 1 hour or less.

 

[clarionreef]

John,
But infringing on speakers times is also not a pleasant option.
There is no nice, free and easy time frame. Cutting in a bit on the social recreation was our considered best alternative.
And...it may well carry into the pool area anyway.
Steve

 

[dizzy]

John Brandt for moderator. He is experienced and already has his fireproof headgear.

 

[Nancy Swart]

Steve,

The banquet starts at 7:30pm and most people will want to be in line for it by at least 7:15pm. There is usually a desire to get cleaned-up and put on nice clothes for the banquet as well. These factors affect the time available for a meeting right before the banquet.

A Town Hall Open Forum that starts at 5:00pm on Saturday may need to be kept to 1 hour or less.

John,

If there's enough interest, Steve can always reconvene the meeting after the banquet. Poolside would be too cool! Then again, many important discussions have been held in the bar at these events...

NS

 

[clarionreef]

Nancy,
Actually the smokey bars, the corridors and poolside areas are where most progress takes place. Maybe the roundtable is just the 'ice-breaker'. Steve