The Board of Directors is responsible for managing the affairs of MAC; to address
and take action on key issues affecting the organization, a formal meeting is held
on an annual basis, along with regular and special meetings scheduled throughout
the year.
According to the bylaws, the majority of the MAC Board must be comprised of Non-Industry
Directors, representing those involved in scientific and/or educational endeavors,
such as environmental organizations, public aquaria, zoos, research institutions,
and the like. The remainder of the MAC Board is comprised of Industry Directors,
who represent those involved in the collection and care of marine organisms, including
collectors, producers, exporters, importers, retailers, trade associations, and
others.
Together, this multi-stakeholder group strives to keep the MAC certification system
and underlying standards balanced between the realities of the trade and the pressures
from scientific requirements to ensure repopulation of requirements of our natural
ecosystems. The guidance of our current Board members helps ensure that MAC Certification
Systems and Standards adhere to
STEVEN BROAD, MAC Board Chairman
Executive Director, TRAFFIC International
Non Industry
Steven has been the director of TRAFFIC since 1996, an organization he joined in 1983. TRAFFIC is a joint project of the World Wildlife Fund and The World Conservation Union - IUCN. Its mission is to ensure that trade in wild plants and animals is not a threat to the conservation of nature. Broad is well acquainted with international treaties and negotiations and has had significant senior international connections. He directed the TRAFFIC effort in Southeast Asia during 1993-1995.
CHRISTOPHER BUERNER,MAC Board Vice President-Industry and Treasurer
President, Quality Marine USA
Industry
Christopher Buerner is the president of Quality Marine, one of the largest and longest established Marine Ornamental Wholesale distributors worldwide. Chris began keeping marine aquaria in 1986 and as an avid hobbyist and early "Mini Reef" system adopter, established his first live reef tanks in 1987. He received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of California at Irvine in 1994, and headed for a career in Law. After two years in the legal field, Chris followed his passions and chose to make his lifelong hobby his profession and began working for one of the country's largest freshwater importers as their European export manager. In 1997, three years prior to assuming operational control of Quality Marine, and ultimately acquiring the company, Chris founded Ocean-2-Ocean, an import distribution company which organizes and facilitates Trans-shipment of marine ornamental species to wholesale distributors throughout North America.
In 1998, during the early stages of Marine Aquarium Council formation, Chris participated with and served on the Certification Standards Setting Sub-Committee, and has since served on numerous committees and panels providing industry perspective. He has subsequently encouraged and facilitated the certification of overseas tropical fish collectors, collection areas and exporters. To date he works tirelessly to refine commercial holding system design, improve animal husbandry in commercial facilities, and to create operational efficiencies by developing and adapting state of the art technologies. His personal mission, Chris works actively to support sustainable harvest of ornamental reef animal species, poverty alleviation in fishing communities, indigenous species mariculture efforts, and toward greater industry responsibility for a healthy, sustainable hobby and trade.
SCOTT A. HAJOST , MAC Board Vice President-Non-Industry
Executive Director, IUCN US, World Conservation Union
Non Industry
Mr. Hajost is the Executive Director of the USA Multilateral office of IUCN - The World Conservation Union. In this capacity Mr. Hajost is responsible for coordinating IUCN’s relations with the major multilateral institutions based in the United States such as the GEF, the World Bank, UNDP, IDB and the UN; building and maintaining governmental and non-governmental linkages with the private sector in the United States; and working with IUCN members to promote international conservation.
Mr. Hajost came to IUCN from Environmental Defense, a major US nongovernmental public interest environmental organization, where he served as International Counsel. Prior to joining Environmental Defense, Mr Hajost served as Acting Associate Administrator and as Associate General Counsel for International Activities at the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Before his tenure at EPA, Mr. Hajost was a senior lawyer at the US State Department responsible for oceans, international environmental and Polar affairs. Mr. Hajost earned bachelors and masters degrees in history from the University of Dallas and Miami University respectively and a juris doctor degree from the University of Toledo College of Law where he was valedictorian and received the Dean’s Award as outstanding graduate. He has also studied European Community law in Brussels and at The Hague Academy of International Law.
SVEIN FOSSA
Secretary, Scandinavian Pet Trade Union (SPTU)
Non Industry
Svein A. Fosså is an ichthyologist, eager aquarist since childhood, and a leading international voice for responsible and sustainable practices in the ornamental aquatic trade. He got his first fish tank at the age of nine, and has gathered extensive experience in both freshwater and marine aquarium keeping. Svein has worked for and with the ornamental aquatic trade since 1986. In 1992 he started his own business as an independent author and advisor on aquarium technique, ichthyology, and ornamental aquatic trade policies and legislation worldwide. Svein lectures regularly in many countries, and has authored and co‐authored more than 300 articles, reports and other publications, including several internationally acclaimed books on marine aquarium keeping.
Besides commissions for companies and institutions, Svein is currently Secretary General of the Norwegian Pet Trade Association (NZB), co‐organizer of the Norwegian ZooExpo trade shows, co‐editor of the pet trade magazine PetScandinavia, secretary of the Scandinavian Pet Trade Union (SPTU), and an Ornamental Fish International (OFI) Board member. In May 2008 he was elected President of the European Pet Organization (EPO).
In recent years, Svein has spent much time on ethical and animal health issues related to the trade in live companion animals in general, and the ornamental aquatic trade in particular. He has also been studying “man‐made” ornamental fishes, produced by selective breeding, genetic engineering and physical manipulation. He is Ornamental Fish International's official delegate on meetings relating to CITES, CBD and other matters on nature management and conservation. Svein, aged 49, was born and raised in Norway, where he continues to live with wife and two children, in the small coastal town of Grimstad.
ALEX PLOEG
Secretary General, Ornamental Fish International (OFI)
Industry
Already as a child, Alex was strongly attracted to fish. This fascination resulted
in his doctoral in systematic zoology in 1991 with fish as specialization. At that
time Alex had already entered the ornamental aquatic industry as an ornamental fish
breeder on Bonaire (Netherlands Antilles) and gained expertise with the industry
and importers in the Netherlands. Alex is a publisher of books on ornamental fish
and accepted the position as Secretary General of Ornamental Fish International
(OFI) during the Spring 2004. Alex is also active with the Dutch pet trade association
Dibevo and since May 2006 also has served as Secretary General of the European Pet
Organization (EPO).
JAN STEFFEN
Programme Specialist, Environment and Development in Coastal Regions and Small Islands,
UNESCO, Indonesia
Non Industry
Jan has a Master’s degree in Zoology and Marine Ecology and holds a Doctorate in Tropical Marine Science from the University of Bremen (Germany), having carried out research on monitoring and evaluation of coral reef ecosystems in Sumatra. After his dissertation Jan worked for four years as a marine program advisor for the Indonesian Biodiversity Foundation (KEHATI), and was one of the co-founders of the Indonesian Coral Reef Foundation in 1999. In April 2002 Jan took over the responsibility for the UNESCO Coastal Regions and Small Islands Program, where he implements and oversees the projects and research activities on marine and coastal issues, working closely with stakeholders in the two regional CSI field projects in Ulugan Bay, Palawan and Jakarta Bay, Indonesia. As a representative of UNESCO in the Indonesian Coral Reef Working Group, Jan supports the development of policy guidelines and wise practices in relation to sustainable trade in marine ornamentals.
Dennis A Thoney
Director of Facility Operations & Animal Management
Vancouver Aquarium
At the Vancouver Aquarium, Dennis plans and oversees the development and implementation of operations strategies which achieve excellence in animal management, physical building maintenance, security, and mechanical systems operations. He maintains oversight of the Curator Marine Mammals, Curator Tropical Waters, Curator BC Waters, Animal Registrar, Mechanical Systems Operations Manager, Manager of Building Maintenance and Construction, Manager of Security, and Water Quality Manager. Dennis also participates on a number of Association of Zoos and Aquariums committees and working groups. He served as Associate Director of the Bodega Marine Laboratory at University of California Davis from 2004-2007; the Director of Marine Laboratory and Facilities at Humboldt State University from 2001- 2004; and Curator of the New York Aquarium, Wildlife Conservation Society, from 1989-2001. Prior to 2001, Dennis was Director of the Coral Reef Research Laboratory and Senior Research Scientist Dennis holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Marine Science from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William and Mary, a Master of Arts in Biology from Humboldt State University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Zoology from Humboldt State University.
MAC is working to create a network of international partnerships to support certification.
The following key partnerships have already been developed:
David and Lucile Packard believed America to be the home of a unique type of organization
dependent upon private funding and volunteer leadership. Together, universities,
national institutions, community groups, youth agencies, family planning centers,
and hospitals constitute a great American tradition that complements government
efforts to focus on society's needs. The David and Lucile Packard Foundation was
created in 1964 by David Packard (1912–1996), the co-founder of the Hewlett-Packard
Company, and Lucile Salter Packard (1914–1987). Throughout their lives in business
and philanthropy, the Packards sought to use private funds for the public good,
giving back to a society which enabled them to prosper.
The MacArthur Foundation supports creative people and effective institutions committed
to building a more just, verdant, and peaceful world. In addition to selecting the
MacArthur Fellows, we work to defend human rights, advance global conservation and
security, make cities better places, and understand how technology is affecting
children and society. MacArthur is one of the nation’s largest independent foundations.
Through the support it provides, the Foundation fosters the development of knowledge,
nurtures individual creativity, strengthens institutions, helps improve public policy,
and provides information to the public, primarily through support for public interest
media.
The ISEAL Alliance defines and codifies best practice, at the international level,
for the design and implementation of social and environmental standards systems.
ISEAL Alliance members, of which MAC is a founding member, are committed to meeting
this best practice in order to ensure their systems are credible and accessible.
The ISEAL Alliance provides a global framework for the social and environmental
standards movement to coordinate, cooperate and build its capacity to deliver positive
global impacts.
OFI is a worldwide trade association representing all sectors of the ornamental
aquatic industry in some 40 different countries worldwide. Members include consultants,
manufacturers, publishers, wholesalers, collectors, breeders, retailers, importers,
exporters, plant specialists, freight forwarders, airlines and exhibition companies.
OFI has created a Code of Ethics that members must comply with to ensure they attain
the highest standard of care and welfare for the fishes they handle throughout the
OFI "Chain".
Indonesian Nature Foundation – Yayasan Alam Indonesia Lestarti (LINI)
Established in January 2008, LINI supports the conservation and management of costal
marine ecosystems throughout Indonesia through community empowerment and the promotion
of fair and sustainable practices governing marine resource use. Comprised of local
staff who previously managed MAC’s regional office since 2001, this organization
efficiently designs conservation and management programs, along with providing custom-tailored
training, outreach, and education support services relating to MAC standards, best
practices, and certification systems. LINI also assists the Indonesian government
in policy development, coastal zone management, and community-based aquaculture
and coral propagation for reef restoration.
The Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association (OATA) is an organisation in the United Kingdom representing the interests of ornamental fish importers, breeders, wholesalers, retailers and manufacturers of glass aquaria. OATA represents the industries views and interests on a wide range of issues at local, national, and international levels. OATA tries to keep the industry free of unnecessary legislation, and ensure the smooth flow of business.
OATA is a non-profit making organisation that was founded in 1991 to promote and protect the interests of all those engaged in, and dealing with, the UK ornamental aquatic trade. OATA is composed of a Chief Executive and the Board of Directors, plus the members. A major role of the Executive is mediation on behalf of the UK Aquatic Trade with government departments and other official representatives worldwide.
PETS International is the international business to business source for the international pet industry. PETS International Magazine circulates 10,500 copies per issue and reaches over 30,000 readers in more than 130 countries. Seven issues are circulated per year, including the Buyers Guide, containing market and inside industry information for decision makers at pet manufacturing companies, importers, exporters, distributors, and pet retail chains.
In 1999, noted German marine aquarist Daniel Knop and publisher Matthias Schmidt had an idea. They were concerned by the lack of reader-friendly, reliable information about the marine aquarium hobby available in the literature at the time, and they decided to create a publication that would serve a much broader spectrum of marine enthusiasts than was currently being served. They envisioned a publication that would not only provide cutting-edge information to the advanced and expert marine aquarist, but would also offer support to the hobbyist just starting out, as well as a “window to the sea” for the many armchair aquarists eager to learn about the underwater environment without getting wet. Consequently, KORALLE was born. KORALLE was, and continues to be, a magazine devoted to providing a bridge from the world’s ocean environments to the home aquarist using the finest photographs and latest information from marine experts worldwide. With the help of an advisory board that includes an international blend of experts in all aspects of the hobby, KORALLE prides itself in offering a content-driven alternative to most other marine publications currently available to hobbyists. One year after the first German KORALLE issue was printed, the start was made for the Italian language version named CORALLI. Starting from the year 2004, the English language version is supposed to be available with the name CORAL Magazine. All language versions have the same high-quality package as KORALLE and will take most of the featured articles directly from it. They all are dedicated to maintaining the overall content, and look and feel of KORALLE, with a distinctly national view of the marine hobby.
Tropical Fish Hobbyist magazine, the world's leading aquarium magazine for over half a century, is the best source of accurate, fascinating, up-to-the-minute information on the aquarium hobby, from small freshwater tanks to wall-sized reef tanks and even beautifully landscaped garden ponds. Now TFH is better than ever, with expert authors and world-class photography sure to educate and entertain hobbyists from beginner to experts month after month.
Microcosm Aquarium Explorer is the web creation of an international team of leading aquarium authors, marine biologists, underwater photographers, and tropical naturalists. Content rich, with 7,954 pages and 3,211 color images, Microcosm Aquarium Explorer is a growing world-class resource for a diverse community of demanding enthusiasts with interests in:
• Marine & Freshwater Aquarium Keeping
• Fishes, Invertebrates & Aquatic Plants
• Reef, Rainforest & Aquarium News
• Eco-Travel, Diving, Snorkeling & Photography
• Sources (Where to Find Everything Aquatic)
Their goal is to inspire and inform those with a passion for replicating coral reef and tropical freshwater ecosystems in their home aquaria — or exploring them in the wild and during their travels.
MAC has evolved from an international conservation organization with over 50 staff
members across multiple continents to a core team that is responsible for maintaining
the certification system and its underlying standards. Outreach and awareness is
provided to key stakeholders, and pass through funds are provided to partner organizations
to ensure on the ground work continues to occur on both the supply and demand sides
of the equation.
The Mission of the Marine Aquarium Council is to conserve marine ecosystems through the promotion of a responsible aquarium trade.
The MAC mission is achieved through the following objectives :
Promote sustainability through the development and deployment of best practices, standards, and certification for those engaged in the collection and care of marine ornamentals.
Provide outreach, education, and support to encourage biological diversity and health ecosystems across key stakeholder audiences.
Collect, analyze, and disseminate information relating to the status of trade sustainability.
Marine Aquarium Council Offices
