DEEP BLUE SIX
New member
Nations reject coral protections at wildlife conservation conference
Environmentalists and scientists argue that corals, which are living animals and seriously threatened by rising carbon dioxide emissions that are warming the ocean and making it more acidic, cannot afford the added pressure of a commercial harvest. Nearly 30 percent of the world's tropical coral species have disappeared since 1980, mainly because of warming, and an even larger percentage may have disappeared by the end of the last century.
Tom Strickland, assistant secretary of the interior for fish, wildlife and parks, spoke out for regulating the coral trade. Passage in CITES requires two-thirds of the delegate votes, and the measure failed on a secret ballot with 64 in favor, 59 opposed and 10 abstaining.
"Although the proposal did not gain the two-thirds majority of votes necessary to be adopted, the U.S. is encouraged by the fact that the majority of the parties voted in support of the proposal," Strickland said.
"Corals are the building blocks of many ocean ecosystems, and the science is clear: They are at great risk," said Dawn Martin, president of SeaWeb. "And now, since action was not taken at CITES, red and pink coral populations will continue to decline at an alarming rate."
The description of Red & pink corals does not really get into specific species, although according to the article, it does elude to that fact that most of this is based on the "coral jewelry market".
Some jewelers and home decor companies, such as Tiffany and Temple St. Clair, have voluntarily stopped selling corals for environmental reasons.
Either way, I found it interesting. LINK BELOW:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/21/AR2010032101204.html
How much further may things effect the reef aquarium hobby trade?
Anyone heard anything more on the recent endangered species list and proposal to ban collection?
Just curious.
Environmentalists and scientists argue that corals, which are living animals and seriously threatened by rising carbon dioxide emissions that are warming the ocean and making it more acidic, cannot afford the added pressure of a commercial harvest. Nearly 30 percent of the world's tropical coral species have disappeared since 1980, mainly because of warming, and an even larger percentage may have disappeared by the end of the last century.
Tom Strickland, assistant secretary of the interior for fish, wildlife and parks, spoke out for regulating the coral trade. Passage in CITES requires two-thirds of the delegate votes, and the measure failed on a secret ballot with 64 in favor, 59 opposed and 10 abstaining.
"Although the proposal did not gain the two-thirds majority of votes necessary to be adopted, the U.S. is encouraged by the fact that the majority of the parties voted in support of the proposal," Strickland said.
"Corals are the building blocks of many ocean ecosystems, and the science is clear: They are at great risk," said Dawn Martin, president of SeaWeb. "And now, since action was not taken at CITES, red and pink coral populations will continue to decline at an alarming rate."
The description of Red & pink corals does not really get into specific species, although according to the article, it does elude to that fact that most of this is based on the "coral jewelry market".
Some jewelers and home decor companies, such as Tiffany and Temple St. Clair, have voluntarily stopped selling corals for environmental reasons.
Either way, I found it interesting. LINK BELOW:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/21/AR2010032101204.html
How much further may things effect the reef aquarium hobby trade?
Anyone heard anything more on the recent endangered species list and proposal to ban collection?
Just curious.
Last edited:
