Trade In Some Pacific Coral To Be Restricted
(Radio Australia)
Trade in some coral will be severely restricted in the future to try to stop the species becoming extinct in the Mediterranean and Pacific oceans reports Radio Australia.
This week countries at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species voted 62 to 28 to start regulating the export of red and pink corals, harvested mainly in the Mediterranean and Western Pacific.
US delegate Andrew Bruckner says coral has been harvested for some 5,000 years but restrictions are vital to ensure some species are not wiped out, with the current harvesting levels seriously depleting stocks.
The part ban will take effect in 18 months' time because of concerns by southern European producers, who say they need time to adapt to new trade rules.
http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/s1951663.htm
