Proceedings of the First International Workshop on Corallium Science, Management and Trade, Hong Kong, March 16-20, 2009

摘要

The International Workshop on Corallium Science, Management, and Trade is the first of two workshops convened to better understand the biological status of precious corals in the family Coralliidae, the adequacy of existing management measures, and the benefits and limitations of a potential CITES Appendix-II listing at enhancing conservation of this taxa. The meeting was convened in response to an Appendix-II listing proposal submitted by the U.S. at the 14th meeting of the CITES Conference of Parties (COP 14), specifically to address questions pertaining to the ability to effectively implement a possible CITES listing. The workshop would not have been possible without the financial support provided by the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) and NOAA Fisheries, and supplementary funding from The Ocean Foundation. The workshop successfully addressed many of the most pressing workshop questions and issues surrounding the effective conservation of Corallium, and it provides a framework for the second workshop, to be held in the Mediterranean in the fall of 2009. We look forward to continued collaborations with all of the participants, and would like to thank everyone for their involvement. Together, we can ensure the conservation, sustainable harvest, and trade of these jewels of the sea.