Ornamental Fish Certification Programs

(OFCP)

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Ex-situ threats to the ornamental Fishery

Increasing regulations could cause significant complications for the industry

OIE

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Ex-situ threats to the ornamental fishery

Increasing regulations could cause significant complications for the industry

Multinational retail chains disfavor wildcaught ornamental fish

New England Aquarium

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

New England Aquarium

New England Aquarium

New England Aquarium

New England Aquarium

New England Aquarium

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

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Eco-label
A certification program that strives to meet an environmental benefit Examples
Marine Stewardship Council Forestry Stewardship Council

New International Certification for Quality and Sustainability of Marine Ornamentals England Aquarium

From reef ... to retail

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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

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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

New England Aquarium

Potential benefits for the S.A. Aquarium industry

Competition from aquaculture
Eco-labeIling

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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

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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

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Fishers Association Consumers

Exporters Association
Academic Community

Retailers

Regional NGOs & communities Ministry of Agriculture

Animal Rights Orgs.

Industry Standards
Fiscalization Receita Federal
Environmental Regulators IBAMA

International NGOs
International Trade Groups

International Regulators Importers Associations

Airlines

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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