E.U.A.C  Mission Statement


To actively promote professional mprovement between specialists in the public aquarium field.



                          Code of ethics 


THE AQUARIUM :

1.  must always act in the best interest of nature conservation     
     and of animal protection.
2.  shall always act in strict accordance with the laws and all
     regulations (e.g regarding trade of plants, animals and  
     their
     derivates i.e. CITES, EU regulations et al).
3   should not exhibit in it’s collections animals which are 
     known that cannot be kept for a reasonable length of time.
4.  will initiate and actively support educational endeavours
    within its premises as far as it’s possibilities allow
5.  will welcome and support scientific research within it’s
    premises as far as it’s possibilities allow.
6. will contribute to a free and open flow of information and is
    willing to communicate with fellow members of E.U.A.C.
    openly and without restriction, and give them free and
    open access to their premises.
7.  should be prepared on a non-commercial basis to assist
    fellow institutions.
8.  will participate in breeding efforts and E.U.A.C.
    professional improvement projects (e.g. FAITAG) wherever
    possible.
9. must not trade in souvenirs containing species or parts of
    species considered to be at risk.


                             Constitution

a. Categories of Membership

Membership of the E.U.A.C. is open to:

i. Full Members

Individuals being a curator* or the responsible manager and employed on a full time basis of a public aquarium in Europe under condition that:

-the member has a scientific training in biology, or specialised training in aquatic biology or have at least five years experience in managing a public aquarium.

-membership is personal and will be reconsidered in case of change of position.

-there will be only one full member per institution.
(in exceptional cases additional full members may be considered)

-the member has full support of his institution and will be considered as the representative of his aquarium

The institution that the member represents must also meet the following criteria:

-have a reasonable size and be of a permanent character

-have a high standard of husbandry

-have a reasonable standard of correct information to the public

-promote educational activities

-should conform to the code of ethics as set down by the E.U.A.C.

*A curator is defined as the responsible full time manager of an animal collection within a public aquarium.


ii. Associate Members

Any scientist or any other person involved directly or peripherally in the aquarium world whose contribution might in one way or another be considered by the members to be of help to the development of aquariology and, by his/her special knowledge or research, can be admitted as an associate member under condition that:

-the member has a specific and valid experience in the public aquarium field and can demonstrate a valid association with one or more member or member’s institution over a period in excess of four years.
-membership is personal and will be reconsidered in case of change of position.

iii. Honorary Members

Members ( full or associate )that are retired can be elected as honorary-members and can always participate at all meetings .Their status as a Honorary member has to be presented by the President at and accepted by the General Assembly.


iv. Supporting Members

Typically this shall be any body or commercial enterprise involved directly or peripherally in the aquarium world which is able to support the activities, commercially or otherwise of E.U.A.C. under condition that:

-the member has a specific and valid experience in the aquarium field and can demonstrate a valid association with one or more member or member’s institution. Membership must be proposed by the committee and approved by a vote of the members.

Supporting members will enjoy the following additional benefits:

-    free access to member’s list
-entitlement to present a poster and publicity information during the conferences
-the right to make use of the E.U.A.C. logo in publicity in association with a
statement that they are supporting members of E.U.A.C.
-the right to present a paper during the conference upon his request or on invitation
-    on condition that the conference programme permits
      -    upon payment of an appropriate additional fee as proposed by the executive
            committee
    
General membership criteria (all categories)

-membership will be reconsidered in case of contravention of any ethical or membership criterion. 

-The membership of E.U.A.C. is not to be commercially exploited *.
*in the case of supporting members:- to read ‘not to be commercially abused).

the members should always communicate with their fellow members openly and without reservation and provide assistance when necessary. 

-Fellow members are always welcome to visit the aquarium and it’s technical installations.


b. Candidature :

A candidate (full or associate member) has always to be parented or supported by three full members and admission as a candidate member is discussed at the first assembly meeting by the members present.  Acceptance of new members will generally be as a candidate member for a two year probationary period prior to acceptance as member in any category.  Acceptance will be by a vote of the members present at the annual meeting concerned.

Any new candidate for full or associate membership must provide a written detailed curriculum and make a formal presentation  of his experience or new institution during his period of candidature.

Any member (all categories) not attending at annual meetings for three consecutive years, and without notice, will be excluded as a member.  In such cases the member has to apply again for membership by the same procedure as for new candidates.  In case of change of position the status of the member or associate member will be reconsidered by the assembly.

On retiral members become eligible for election as honorary members.


c. Voting rights

The E.U.A.C. is primarily an organisation of aquarium curators and voting rights shall therefore rest with the full members only. 


d. The Executive Committee  (Board of Directors )

Both Full and Associate members working within aquariums are eligible for election to the E.U.A.C. Executive Committee.

The Executive Committee will normally consist of 9 elected members and has a facility to co-opt an additional two members in order to cater for minority interests or special needs. 

Executive officers of the committee shall normally serve a three year period of office and shall be eligible for re-election for a maximum of two further three year periods of office.   

Ordinary committee members (elected or co-opted) shall normally serve a two year period of office and shall be eligible for re-election for a maximum of two further periods of office.   

Members of the committee will undertake to meet up to two times in between the dates of the annual meeting.  One meeting shall be at the EAZA general assembly meeting and the other, if required, shall be at the discretion of the president.

In the event of an ordinary committee member assuming the responsibility of an officer however, he will have the right to a further two year’s extension of period of office.

In the event of mid-term resignation of any officer or essential member of the committee re-allocation of responsibilities or co-option of additional support shall be at the discretion of the president.  Any such re-allocation of responsibilities shall be temporary and shall extend only until the date of the next business meeting and associated elections.  


e. Officers of the Executive Committee

The following executive officers of the committee shall be directly elected by the full members :-

The President - Is the primary representative of the E.U.A.C. and is responsible for external relations, the co-ordination of all activities and the calling and chairing of all committee and annual meetings. 

The Secretary - Responsible primarily for communication.  Duties to include general correspondence with members, the proper minuting of meetings and the publication and distribution of all associated documentation together with any documentation considered of interest to the committee or the members in general. 

The Treasurer and Membership secretary - Responsible for ensuring proper management of fund raising together with administration of accounts and ensuring compliance with the legal/financial obligations of the organisation.  An annual report of the accounts shall also be made for presentation to the members at the annual meeting.


f. Ordinary committee members

The Fish And Invertebrate Taxon Advisory Group (FAITAG) officer – shall be elected to be responsible for administration of the EUAC FAITAG and reporting to the EUAC committee and, in turn, to the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) committee.

Other specific duties or responsibilities will be allocated from within the committee.


g. Nomination Procedures

-Three months prior to the annual assembly, positions for re-election and renewal will be announced by the President and nominations for candidates will be invited from all members (full and associate).  Proposals from members must be submitted with a written acceptance from the candidate one month prior to the assembly.
-In case of a lack of nominees the committee will submit their own proposals.


h. Voting Procedures

The committee members  shall be elected from a pool of both Full and Associate members.  Election of new committee members shall be carried out during the annual business meeting under the direction of the president.  The president will chair the election procedure and will attempt, with the electoral support of the members, to ensure both that membership is properly represented geographically, technically etc., and that the needs of the committee are properly catered for. 

-Prior to voting candidate members will be reviewed for acceptance in order to allow them to vote.

-The President will present all candidates who have been nominated for election.

-Members will be issued with ballot papers and asked to submit their vote by secret ballot.

-An ad-hoc committee selected from members will count the votes and assist the President in announcing the result.

The new committee shall assume it’s responsibilities from the close of the annual business meeting.  At the close of the business meeting a brief hand-over meeting between outgoing and incoming committees shall be held. The new committee will select any co-opted members it may need as and when required. 


f. Annual membership fees

i. Full Members & Associate members - An annual membership fee of 80 US $ or
68 €  will be levied.

ii. Honorary Members:- No membership fee due.

iii. Supporting members:- An annual membership fee of at least 2000 US $ or 2350 € will be levied.

iv. Candidate members and observers attending the meetings will pay the same fee as
the membership fee. This fee will be payable at the conference in addition to the conference fee.

Fees may be reduced or waived in special circumstances at the discretion of the committee.

Annual Fee requests shall be issued in January for payment within 3 months. Non payment of fees may risk withdrawal of membership with re-entry on condition of back-payment of fees and approval of the committee.

g. Other charges

E.U.A.C will reserve the right to supplement income by way of the following      additional measures:-

-levying a fee for establishment of  a commercial stand by any body during the conference . This fee will be determined by the aquarium committee in concert with the congress organisation committee.
-levying a fee for presentation of papers by supporting members or other interested
commercial bodies.



Antwerp, April 15th 1999
Hirtshals, October 9th 1999        

 
  
 

CONSTITUTION