NURP Research Impacts Management of Hawaiis
Black Coral
This story entered on 28th Jun, 2005 05:12:28 AM PST
Last month, a science advisory group recommended a five
year ban on harvesting Hawaiis black coral, a species prized
by the jewelry trade. The recommendation was based on research made
possible by NURP funds awarded through the Coral Reef Conservation
Program.
Led by Tony Montgomery of Hawaiis Department of
Land and Natural Resources, researchers utilized advanced diving
techniques to conduct approximately 46 deep water dives in waters
off the islands of Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii. Data results, which
indicated a decline in younger populations of the black coral, were
presented to the Scientific and Statistical Committee, an advisory
arm of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council.
The data spurred the advisory group to recommend banning the harvest
of black corals in both state and federal waters.
The proposed ban, which has elicited a debate over future
management of the black coral fishery, received attention in the
May 22 issue of the New York Times.
More information: Click
here
Contact information
Name: John Smith
Tel: (808) 956-9669
jrsmith@soest.hawaii.edu
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