THE MOST BEAUTIFUL AQUARIUMS OF THE WORLD

Aquariums, as you will see in the following pages, can be objects of great beauty and wonder. But they can also be much more than that. As windows onto a wild world that few of us have the opportunity to encounter up close, aquariums are miniature ecosystems that can help teach us respect for the marine and freshwater habitats they represent. In the real world, however, the habitats our aquariums represent are severely threatened. Nearly 70 percent of all coral reefs are severely degraded and many are dead or dying. Toxic pollution and global warming, which bleaches coral by raising water temperatures, over-fishing and a host of other destructive practices are taking an unsustainable toll on both our marine and freshwater resources. Alarmed by the damage being done to coral reefs, World Wildlife Fund brought together a coalition of conservation groups, public aquariums, hobbyists and industry representatives in 1998 to form the Marine Aquarium Council (MAC). Key to the MAC is the belief that those involved in the marine aquarium hobby and industry have the potential to become a major positive force for coral reef conservation. Bringing together fishermen, suppliers, retailers and hobbyists world-wide, MAC created a set of international performance standards and a certification system for the marine aquarium trade. The "MAC Certified" label allows consumers to easily identify marine aquarium animals that have been collected in an environmentally safe and sustainable manner and handled to ensure optimal health. By purchasing marine animals with the "MAC Certified" label, those of you who have a marine aquarium benefit by having a fish or other coral reef organism that is likely to live much longer and be much healthier than one caught by cyanide fishing or other destructive harvesting practices. By shopping at "MAC Certified" facilities, you support responsible industry operators and provide those who are irresponsible with the incentive to change their ways. (From the publisher)