| The exploitation of corals has depleted stocks all | | | | prized as jewelry, an attempt to restrict the trade to |
| over the world. This is not only destroying the | | | | try to help the species recover after drastic |
| seafloor, but has a much wider impact. Corals are | | | | over-exploitation was launched by USA. On June 15, |
| more valuable if they stay in the oceans rather than | | | | 2007 at an United Nations wildlife conference, the |
| around somebodys neck. Coral reefs support more | | | | Convention on International Trade in Endangered |
| than 25 percent of all known marine fish species. As | | | | Species (CITES), they actually agreed on trade |
| one of the most complex ecosystems on the planet, | | | | restrictions. "Corallium, the most valuable of the |
| coral reefs are home to more than 4,000 different | | | | precious corals, has been fished for over 5,000 |
| species of fish, and almost 5,000 species of corals, in | | | | years," the US proposal said, adding that millions of |
| addition to thousands of other plants and animals. | | | | items and thousands of kilos a year were traded |
| Scientists estimate that coral reefs provide an | | | | internationally. The proposal initially passed on |
| economic benefit of US$ 375 billion each year to | | | | Wednesday, with 62 countries voting in support of |
| millions of people around the world. Besides from | | | | the listing. Later the same day whole trade |
| indirectly feeding people, corals also offer cures for | | | | agreement went down the drains. Delegates voted |
| illnesses. Add to that that coral reefs protect our | | | | by secret ballot to overturn their initial decision to list |
| coastlines. | | | | these over fished species under the CITES, following |
| Wealth creates demand | | | | a massive lobbying effort by the coral industry and |
| The United States is the largest importer of coral | | | | some exporting countries. Environmental organizations |
| reef species for food, jewelry and aquariums. | | | | were very disappointed over this sudden turn in |
| The US accounts for approximately 60% of the | | | | events. |
| world demand for live reef ornamental products, | | | | - There are no international trade controls in place, |
| about 70%-90% of the live coral, and 95% of the | | | | nor any consistent management plan, TRAFFIC and |
| live rock (rock with coralline algae growing on it). | | | | WWF say. |
| SeaWeb estimates the trade to be increasing | | | | Opponents to the red coral proposal, amongst others |
| between 10% and 20% per year. It's not only the | | | | are Japan, a major red coral trading nation, and the |
| US that buy coral products. In Europe this kind of | | | | industry group Assocoral. |
| artifacts are gaining popularity, as the populations | | | | - We started 800 years ago and we want to |
| gets wealthier. Not long ago, British media reported | | | | continue. We are not an industry; this is our tradition, |
| that hundreds of rare corals protected by | | | | our culture. Coral is our life, said Ciro Condito of |
| international conservation laws had been intercepted | | | | Assocoral, a lobbying group representing the |
| at airports en route to aquarium shops in Britain. Raw | | | | craftsmen in the Mediterranean town Torre del |
| coral commands an auction price ranging from US | | | | Greco. |
| $150 to $ 900 per kilogram. Necklaces made of the | | | | Coral in the red |
| red and pink corals, collectively known as Corallium, | | | | The red coral trade is the most valuable and largest |
| can cost up to US$ 20,000. A quick search on | | | | in volume with an estimated 30-50 metric tons per |
| «red corals» on Google reveille a thriving | | | | year. Seven red coral species are traded worldwide |
| industry for coral jewelry. And their sales pitches are | | | | as jewelry and other decorative products. Many |
| second to none. At one website you could read this; | | | | other species of coral are already protected by |
| «Neptune's Gift. The coral is a mysterious gem | | | | CITES. Since deep water reefs are not visible to the |
| with magical powers attributed to it. The Indian's | | | | general public, dissemination of information through |
| believe wearing a Coral will ward off the negative | | | | the media and the education system is vital in order |
| effects ...the red firestone will help protect them | | | | to create empathy for their protection. This will not |
| from evil. Even the Greek's and the Roman's have | | | | be an easy task, as coral fisheries remain extremely |
| used this stone to adorn rings, caskets, tiaras etc. | | | | important in the Mediterranean Sea, with annual |
| Since the sixth century, corals have fascinated | | | | harvests in the last years ranging between 22 and 28 |
| mankind with their passionate red color». | | | | tonnes according to official data from the FAO. |
| Precious corals have been used for the fabrication of | | | | Captured both dragging the bottom with a wooden |
| items of jewelery and decoration since antiquity. | | | | cross provided with rope mops and by diving. The |
| Along with amber, precious coral may have also been | | | | total catch reported for this species to FAO for 1999 |
| used as currency for trade by Paleolithic man. | | | | was 26,5 t. The countries with the largest catches |
| Ban on trade hampered | | | | were Spain 6,9 t and Italy 3,9 t. |
| After 5,000 years of trade in red and pink corals | | | | |