On 10 September, OFI held the first Global Marine Aquarium Trade Dialogue (GMAT), bringing together representatives from industry, science, conservation, public aquariums and policy to discuss the future of the marine aquarium trade.

Our intention with this first Dialogue was quite simple – to get the conversation started. We were not expecting to solve every issue in one meeting, but to bring different perspectives together and identify some of the areas where we need to do more work.

One of the strongest themes was data. Our industry already provides a considerable amount of species-level information through invoices, packing lists, health certificates and regulatory documentation, but much of this information becomes fragmented or aggregated and is difficult to use for research or management. This contributes to the continuing perception that the marine aquarium trade is something of a “black box”.

Traceability was closely connected to this discussion. New technologies offer the possibility of following an animal from collector through the supply chain to the hobbyist. However, we also need to make sure that traceability creates value rather than simply adding another layer of cost and administration, particularly for collectors in source countries.

The relationship between conservation and livelihoods was another important part of the discussion. Sustainable wild collection can provide valuable income for coastal communities and create an economic incentive to maintain healthy marine environments. At the same time, marine ornamental aquaculture continues to develop, with more than 100 marine aquarium fish species now commercially available through captive breeding. These should not necessarily be viewed as competing approaches.

GMAT also highlighted the changing regulatory environment facing our industry, including CITES discussions, positive lists, biosecurity, animal welfare and increasing expectations around demonstrating legal and responsible sourcing.

Perhaps most importantly, the Dialogue reinforced the need for source-country communities and businesses to be part of these discussions. Decisions affecting the marine aquarium trade can have significant consequences for the people whose livelihoods depend upon it.

This was only the beginning. Future GMAT sessions will focus more closely on individual issues, including data, traceability, sustainable sourcing and the role of the marine aquarium trade in supporting conservation and livelihoods.

The first GMAT was about starting the conversation. Now we need to build on it.

Shane Willis
President
Ornamental Fish International