[jameso]

I'm pleased to announce an upcoming talk in the #reefs chatroom.

Talk Time: 8 PM Eastern Time, or 5PM Pacific Sunday Sept 23rd

Talk Title:

Chain of Custody- How Animals Get From THE Reef to YOUR Reef

Talk Description:

Fish and corals often go through a whirlwind of containers, bags, boxes, and
tanks before coming to rest in an aquarium. It's truly amazing that a green
chromis from the Philippines reaches a hobbyist in Philadelphia in one piece,
much less alive. This complex chain of custody consists of divers, middlemen,
exporters, international airlines, wholesalers, transshippers, domestic
airlines, and retailers. All are important factors in the handling and care
of a marine aquarium animal, and if proper care is not taken in any one step
then the animal won't make it through to the hobbyist. The Marine Aquarium
Council is in the process of ensuring the highest standards of care by
certifying collectors, wholesalers, and retailers. MAC also will be
organizing ways in which the animals themselves will be certified.
Certification signifies an ethical, sustainable industry and a healthier
animal.

Speaker's Bio:

My name is Mary Middlebrook and I own and operate Marine Specialties
International, a marine ornamental livestock import/wholesale company in Los
Angeles, California. I have a BS degree in Marine Biology from Texas A&M
University, and have been in this industry for over 12 years, both retail and
wholesale.

I have always been active in industry reform issues, and much more so in the
past two years I've owned MSI. I maintain an educational website at
www.reefsource.com that strives to inform both industry professionals and
hobbyists about the various issues facing the industry. My motto is
"Education is the key to an ethical and sustainable industry," and I believe
that whole-heartedly. I don't only believe in achieving the goal of an
ethical and sustainable industry, I practice that philosophy daily in my
business.

I currently serve on the Board of Directors of the American Marinelife
Dealers Association (AMDA), the Marine Aquarium Council (MAC), and the Marine
Aquarium Societies of North America (MASNA). I also serve as the public
relations coordinator for the Marine Aquarium Society of Los Angeles County
and act as a public speaker for the Marine Aquarium Council.

Connecting to the #reefs chatroom:

For access instructions for #reefs please see:
www.reefs.org/access/index.html

For a library of previous talks see: www.reefs.org/library/

Happy reefkeeping and we hope to see you in #reefs this Sunday!

James Wiseman
www.reefs.org

[Vince S.]

I've never participated in a "reef" talk or even listend to what. I would love to come and listen to your words this sunday. Thank you for the notice.