International Trade in Coral Reef Resources
Many coral reef species and resources are harvested globally for commercial purposes, to supply international communities with marine organisms for:
- Live reef food fish markets;
- Marine aquarium organisms;
- Curios;
- Jewelry;
- Pharmaceuticals, biomedical, and traditional medicines; and
- Building materials.
The marine ornamental trade is characterized by a high diversity of organisms traded in large numbers, including over 1200 species of fishes and hundreds of invertebrates. Currently 14-30 million marine fishes are collected each year to supply the global demand for marine ornamentals. The trade in corals includes over sixty genera of hard corals, live rock, black coral, and precious corals, including over 1 million live corals and about 2 million kg live rock. Most are removed from their natural habitats, in and around coral reefs, with captive breeding and mariculture supplying less than 5% of the demand.
During the 1990's, the United States was consistently the world's largest importer of ornamental coral reef species, including 60-80% of live coral, over 50% of the coral curios, 95% of "live rock" or reef substratum, and 50% of live reef fish for home aquaria.
A growing number of studies have reported that international trade in coral reef species is contributing to the decline and degradation of coral reefs primarily through destructive fishing practices and overexploitation of target species. Other environmental and social concerns include:
- Alternations of the ecology structure and function of reef communities through removal of specific trophic groups;
- Potential introductions of invasive and non-indigenous species;
- High levels of post harvesting and transport mortality;
- Human health risks associated with dive practices; and
- High rates of mortality among species that are difficult to maintain in captivity.
Through the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force, the U.S. is increasing efforts to identify, collect, and analyze data on imports of coral reef species, and is providing recommendations on strategies for sustainable harvest to those countries involved in global export such as Indonesia and Philippines. NOAA Fisheries Service (NMFS) has been an active participant in the development and implementation of the Trade subgroup of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force strategy to address degradation and loss of coral reef ecosystems that may arise from commerce in coral reef species. In 1999, NMFS contributed to the development of the Report of the Trade subgroup “International trade in coral and coral reef species: the role of the United States” which highlights the key threats or issues associated with the trade in coral reef species and the U.S. role. It also identifies ongoing U.S. activities to address threats, and proposes seven key strategies and actions to mitigate impacts associated with the trade.
Due to the high value of this trade, and its importance to coastal communities in developing countries, it is critical that conservation measures are implemented at all steps in the chain of custody. Through a concerted effort involving the entire chain of custody, including the fishermen, resource management agencies, non-government conservation groups, scientists, exporters, importers and retailers, and the aquarium hobbyist, coral reefs can continue to provide a sustainable source of valuable marine ornamental species for public and private aquaria.
- Efforts to train fishermen in non-destructive collection methods to minimize habitat damage and reduce mortality;
- Implementation of sustainable management guidelines by resource management agencies;
- Improved handling practices and water quality standards by the industry;
- New regulations in exporting countries and international trade restrictions through the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and other international fora that reduce the trade in rare, ecologically important species and unsuitable species that do not survive in captivity;
- Voluntary third party certification such as that underway by the Marine Aquarium Council that promotes adoption of best collection, handling and transport practices can complement management and trade measures;
- Education directed towards retailers and aquarist to ensure they have adequate knowledge on husbandry, and they are responsible consumers, by purchasing species that 1) survive well in captivity; and 2) are collected using non-destructive methods (e.g., fishes caught using nets and not cyanide) from sustainably-managed collection sites; 3) are raised in captivity; and 4) are from certified sources such as the Marine Aquarium Council; and
- Information sharing by scientists, aquarists and industry
on experiences with captive-breeding, reproductive behaviors
and larval rearing techniques.
Some of the activities the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program has been involved in include:
- Trade in stony corals;
- Protection of seahorses through a CITES Appendix II listing;
- Conservation of sea cucumbers;
- Sustainable ornamental reef fish fisheries; and
- Addressing unsustainable live reef food fish trade
Return to the NMFS coral reef fisheries management page.
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