International protection needed for coral used in jewelry

摘要

Between 30 and 50 tonnes of red and pink coral (Corallium) are fished annually to meet consumer demand for jewelry and decorative items. The corals are deep-sea species that are found in the Mediterranean and Pacific. The United States alone imported 28 million pieces of red and pink coral between 2001 and 2008.rnThe Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Secretariat has recommended that countries support increased trade protection for red and pink corals, based on the available population data for these species. Research has shown that trade is having an adverse impact on red and pink corals' ability to maintain healthy populations and to reproduce.