U.S. Considers Endangered Species Protection for 82 Stony Coral Species

[marinelife]

A move to place more than 80 species of stony corals on the Endangered Species list appears to be gaining traction with the U.S. federal government. A petition from an Arizona-based environmental group calls for protection of 8 Caribbean and Western Atlantic species, 9 corals in the Hawaiian Islands, and 66 species from the Indo-Pacific.
The 83 species included in the original petition range from 4 species of Acanthastrea, 22 species of Acropora, 3 species of Euphyllia, 8 species of Montipora, and 4 species of Turbinaria. Among the corals on the list are such commonly kept aquarium species as Euphyllia parancora, Galaxea astreata, Pavona cactus, Turbinaria reniformis, and many species of Acropora.
“This is a call to action (http://cts.vresp.com/c/?MicrocosmAquariumExp/106a47419d/820f62b784/f0aca18c02),” said Marshall Meyers, CEO of the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC) in Washington. “There may be some species that do need protection, but to list all of these corals demands serious science-based, credible studies demonstrating that each of these species is endangered.”
If listed, the corals would be banned (http://cts.vresp.com/c/?MicrocosmAquariumExp/106a47419d/820f62b784/13818f8f20) from collection in U.S. waters, banned from import into the United States; interstate shipment would become illegal. Captive propagation would require a federal permit, and corals could only be bought and sold within states. “Effectively, this would end the international trade in stony corals to the United States,” Meyers said in an exclusive interview with CORAL.
“I think many people have been taken by surprise and don’t yet know the implications...Read the full story... (http://cts.vresp.com/c/?MicrocosmAquariumExp/106a47419d/820f62b784/443694dcb7)


http://www.coralmagazine-us.com/content/us-considers-endangered-species-protection-82-stony-coral-species

[TechGuy40]

What does everyone thing about this?

I think with some changes it could be a good thing. Banning imports would help greatly conserve these species. But requiring permits, and making interstate transport illegal would hurt the trade. Lets promote aqua-cultured corals, and not squish the hobby!

[marinelife]

This will hurt us, While I think we are doing much better at growing out corals for sale or trade we still have a long way to go. On problem is some of these are being cultured at places like ORA, this would stop us getting there corals.

I do not think at this time we should ban importing but have a limit on them. IF they do ban it should just be for importing only and not interstate transport.

One of our goals is to push coral propagation.
Luckily for us we have several nice farms in Ohio.

[TechGuy40]

Thats the big issue, interstate trade. But another thing to consider is maricultured coral. I know lots of store purchase mari-cultured from different parts of the world. They are grown just like aqua cultured corals, but in the ocean in large farms. This doesn't have near the negative impact as farming wild corals.

[marinelife]

Yeah I personally like aqua cultured the best because you get less pests and they do better in aquariums

[TechGuy40]

Yeah I personally like aqua cultured the best because you get less pests and they do better in aquariums

Thats true. I honestly thing the days of two guys in a dingy with snorkels is nearly gone. You just don't see unmounted, or freshly mounted coral anymore. Well with some exceptions. Like Galaxia, some euphilia, and LPS. But species like Acropora, Montipora, and Acans are being grown at home more and more.

[marinelife]

Yeah and that is a good thing!!