Corals In The News

[fishtal]

Check out Ret Talbot's latest article on the state of the things: Implications of ESA's New CORAL Listing for the Marine Aquarium Trade (http://www.reef2rainforest.com/2014/08/29/implications-of-esas-new-threatened-coral-listing-for-the-marine-aquarium-trade/)

[jimsflies]

How will this impact corals that are already in captivity? I assume we'd still be able to sell and trade corals that are listed but are already in the country? For example, Euphyllia paradivisa is readily propagated and it would almost seem that demand could be sustained with captive raised rather than importing. Would permits need to be obtained to legally trade captive raised?

[fishtal]

It is my understanding that if a coral is listed as endangered it becomes illegal to sell/transport across state lines. Corals that we already have in our possession would be fine but fragging and selling would be off limits except in your own state. I'm no expert on this, it's best to ask Ret. :)

[larryandlaura]

I'm following along closely.....

[fishtal]

Here is the latest: PIJAC Goes Public | Good Catch Blog (http://rettalbot.wordpress.com/2014/09/09/pijac-goes-public/)

[binford4000]

It is my understanding that if a coral is listed as endangered it becomes illegal to sell/transport across state lines. Corals that we already have in our possession would be fine but fragging and selling would be off limits except in your own state. I'm no expert on this, it's best to ask Ret. :)

Tal,I am reading this as it concerns the "Taken" corals from wild locations.In other words it will now be illegal to harvest these corals from the wild for any purpose weather for profit or personal enjoyment. Honestly I believe that there's enough colony's in captivity that it should be no problem to supply the hobby. Regardless I think the trade could be more geared to helping in restocking the depleted species with joint efforts with the hobbyist . When I was diving in the Keys I got the chance to dive the Acro farm that is restocking the Acropra in the keys. Ths is a realistic solution to the problem. Of course climate change melt off and reckless fishing practices and uneducated boating practices is doing the majority of the damage. The real issue of those problems is that it would take government interaction and selfless policies. We all now how that works.I for one would be glad to donate frags to anyone trying to accomplish what is being done in the Keys. If we could get commitments from reefers to do this I would be glad to contact Amy Slate who has been an avid support of the groups trying to sensibly solve this issue. LMK what you think

[fishtal]

The 4(d) rule extends all of the ESA section 9 prohibitions to threatened corals. This includes
prohibitions on import, export, take, and all commercial activities involving listed species. For
corals, collection and other activities that will result in mortality or injury are examples of “take”
of these species. -NOAA

The key is that if they extend 4d rules, the only commercial trade that can happen would be if it directly benefits wild populations. Trading captive corals does not do that.

[binford4000]

Ok I see what your concern is. You are concerned if the ruling is amended or changed to include present captive species. We really are seeing the same issue just wording it differently . I am also trying to point out the image that the hobby trade presents. We need some positive PR on top of legal debating. This is something that PADI and other scuba groups have done a very good job of. If you look at the Project AWARE that PADI has developed when the extremist groups like the sea shepard freaks and of course Snorkel "BS" Bob started to attack their industry. The AWARE project has grown bigger every year and helped to disprove the slander these groups use to get their views added to legislation.We do a good job of shareing info within our circle but not very well to the general public.Creating or joing forces with well established projects with common goals could very well help end the evil fish tank image we currently are given.Sadly politics only understands whats in the paper and how it effects the next poll or reelection. Keep us posted and thanks for the info!

[fishtal]

NMFS seeks public comments for status review of Percula clownfish for ESA listing — Advanced Aquarist | Aquarist Magazine and Blog (http://www.advancedaquarist.com/blog/nmfs-seeks-public-comments-for-status-review-of-percula-clownfish-for-esa-listing)

http://http://masna.org/blog/masna-accepts-donations-for-pijac/

[fishtal]

Is the Aquarium Trade under Attack? | Good Catch Blog (http://rettalbot.wordpress.com/2014/09/12/is-the-aquarium-trade-under-attack/)