MAC International Standards outline the requirements for third-party certification of quality and sustainability in the marine aquarium industry from reef to retail. There are four MAC International Standards covering the “reef to retail” supply chain.

• The Ecosystem and Fishery Management (EFM) international Standard addresses in-situ habitat, stock and species management and conservation by verifying that the collection area is managed according to principles that ensure ecosystem health and the sustainable use of the marine aquarium fishery.

• The Collection, Fishing and Handling (CFH) international Standard addresses harvesting of fish, coral, live rock and other coral reef organisms, handling prior to export, holding, plus packaging and transport to ensure the health of the collection area, sustainable use of the marine aquarium fishery and optimal health of the harvested organisms.

• The Handling, Husbandry and Transport (HHT) international Standard addresses the handling and tracing of marine life during export, import and retail to ensure their optimal health, their segregation from uncertified organisms and proper documentation to show that they pass only from one MAC Certified industry operator to another.

• The Mariculture and Aquaculture Management international Standard addresses the propagation, collection, and culturing of marine aquarium organisms, and specifies requirements from broodstock/post-larvae receipt through to grow-out for market; packaging and transport of cultured marine ornamentals.