Coral poaching is the harvesting of highly valued coral species from protected areas for sale as various types of jewellery that could be sold for up to $1,800 per gram. The illegal removal of coral is one of the largest environmental issues in many countries in East Asia, Southeast Asia, and South Asia, destroying valuable ecosystems that harbor marine life. Harvesting coral colonies also causes significant financial loss to surrounding economies and destruction of environments.
Coral is one of the most highly valued material for jewelry in many parts of Asia. It has a wholesale market value between $50 million and $60 million per year, with the value of each piece of jewelry based on the color, size, and quality of the coral. [1] The most common type that is sold is red coral, considered the most precious of all types and sometimes thought to be endowed with pseudoscientific properties. [2] Due to this, coral has been harvested and traded for centuries throughout Asia.
Since the 8th century, people have poached coral from marine ecosystems. Coral poaching is a major environmental problem in Asia and continues to destroy valuable ecosystems and habitats. As of 2015 [update] , an estimated 18.7% of coral reefs are in marine protected areas and only 2% of these areas satisfactorily prevent further degradation. [3] It is estimated that illegal coral extraction generates $230,000,000 annually. [4] This causes a significant loss of value in the area being poached and harms the marine wildlife in the area. In 1997, it was reported that many exporters of precious coral come from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Indonesia.[ citation needed ]
The market for coral is mainly in Asia. Often, coral is poached by fishermen from China, India, or Japan claiming to be on fishing trips. Divers on these boats then harvest coral and take it to be cured and refined into jewelry for sale. Coral is also mined for limestone and other construction materials for bricks, road-fill, and cement. [5] It is also harvested for the calcium in the coral, as well as for decoration in marine aquariums. [6] Jewelry companies in China, Taiwan, and India are willing to pay high prices for coral. With one colony of coral fetching up to $65,0000 a piece, many fishermen are willing to risk penalties. [7] Illegal confiscation of coral colonies occurs along the sea borders between China and Japan.
Coral reefs also shelter species that naturally produce vital antibacterial and other chemical defense compounds used in medicine, including for treatments for cancer, arthritis, heart disease, bacterial and viral infection, and asthma. The chemical compounds and the breeding grounds for fish that coral reefs provide provide commercial value estimated by the National Marine Fisheries Service to be over $100-million. [8]
The most heavily extracted corals are boulder corals and branching corals, with the boulder corals from the genera Porites and Faria being the most carefully extracted from the Gulf of Mannar. Both types are primary contributors of sediment deposition and defense for the reef island and are primary reef builders. [9]
Most coral colonies take a long time to recover from harvest, and the effect on the ecosystem can be tremendous. About one-third of coral reefs worldwide are damaged beyond repair and the rest is in critical condition and under threat. A coral site could take at least 10 years to fully recover and up to 50 years to reach its former function in the environment. [10] Many marine wildlife populations use coral for food, habitat, and protection against predators. When a coral colony is destroyed, it removes wildlife in the area and makes preservation almost impossible in the future. [11] Mining coral colonies also changes the composition of the sediment in the area, which has a detrimental effect on marine life.
Coral extraction can cause significant harm, as coastlines and fish are protected and preserved by the presence of coral reefs. [12] Coastlines become vulnerable when the forces of the currents are no longer being dissipated by coral reef structures. Many towns and cities depend on the defense of coral reefs on their shores, such as the homes and businesses lining the shores of Florida Keys. Without coral reefs, buildings are at greater risk of water damage due to erosion of the shore line. Reefs are also critical to marine biodiversity. Up to 25% of marine life is found in coral reef ecosystems, and up to 7,000 species depend on reefs to survive. [8] Scientists are working on growing coral in farms to later transplant into damaged areas. [13]
Because of their water filtering abilities, coral reefs help keep the ocean clean. Corals and sponges filter feed by drawing water through their pores, consuming the debris, then releasing the filtered water back into the environment. Studies have shown that sponges in reefs are able to capture and absorb sugar in the water and shed them into the seabed below, feeding snails and other bottom feeders. These bottom feeders become food for larger fish, continuing the food chain that larger fish and humans depend on. [14]
Many reefs have lost 40 to 50% of their corals in the past 30 years. Coral reefs are some of Earth's most remarkable natural structures and have more than aesthetic significance. These tiny animals support the lives of thousands of other species, including humans. Spiny lobsters, for example, rely on coral reefs for protection, especially during their vulnerable molting episodes. Hawksbill sea turtles have become critically endangered and are highly dependent on coral reefs for food, which mainly consists of sponges. [15]
In the Great Barrier Reef of Australia, the extraction of coral has led to significant decreases in the dimensions of cays and coral reefs. The Great Barrier Reef has experienced many environmental impacts resulting from coral poaching such as; heightened erosion of existing geographic formations, complete destruction of cays, a substantial decline in coral coverage and variety, elevated levels of turbidity and deposition of sediment, increased algal colonization, reduction in the number of fish and heightened susceptibility to other environmental influences. [16]
Coral reefs off the coast of Tanzania on Mafia Island serve as natural barriers to hydrodynamic forces, creating an environment with low-energy levels and enabling the growth of seagrass beds and mangrove forests, two key ecosystems to the biodiversity of the area. [17]
Coral poaching is illegal. Poachers harvest coral from both private and protected areas, harming marine life and other life forms around them. Poachers also use substances and produce waste that are toxic or deadly to coral, a sensitive species. Poaching of reef fish also contributes to a decrease of corals worldwide, because the fish graze the coral and in turn keeps the coral healthy. [18]
In some areas, coral reefs are a major tourist attraction. The loss of coral reefs means loss of revenue and employment for the community. For example, most of the estimated 5 million people who visit the Florida Keys each year contribute to the economy that the coral reefs provide. The Keys average about 2.4 billion dollars from tourism and ocean recreation. More than half of the jobs in the community depend on a healthy ocean and healthy coral reefs. [12]
Due to the impact of coral poaching across Asia, government officials in Japan have started taking action against coral poaching in Japanese waters. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe met with Chinese Communist Party general secretary Xi Jinping in regards to taking action against Chinese coral poachers working in Japanese waters. [19] The illegal removal of coral in the area due to high demand for Japanese coral jewelry in China is causing maritime tensions between the two nations. The main concern for the Japanese government is that coral mining results in significant long-term losses to their fisheries, shore line safety, and leisure/travel industries.
Coral extraction of fossilized limestone, AKA coral rag, and living reef coral is extensively carried out along the Tanzanian coastline, with the most significant levels of mining occurring on the offshore islands. The mining of live coral has been emphasized as one of the most harmful extractive practices in the region, according to a study done by biologist Nicholas K. Dulvy. [17]
Kuna-Yala is an indigenous province in the northeast of Panama with prominent coral reefs off the coast. Due to population expansions, the Kuna people of Kuna-Yala, Panama, have participated in coral extraction and landfilling for many years. [20]
Many nations are working towards preventing poachers from mining coral in shallow-reef areas that harbor marine wildlife and habitats. The Japanese government punishes anyone poaching coral in their waters with up to six months imprisonment or a ¥300,000 fine. [21] In the United States, a group known as SeaWeb has worked with other agencies to prevent illegal poaching as well as the preservation of coral colonies.[ citation needed ]
Possible methods to eliminate the illegal removal of precious coral colonies include: [6]
Preventing fisherman from illegally harvesting coral in many parts of the world will allow coral colonies to repopulate and provide the necessary ecosystems for many marine life forms that depend on coral for survival.
Poaching is the illegal hunting or capturing of wild animals, usually associated with land use rights. Poaching was once performed by impoverished peasants for subsistence purposes and to supplement meager diets. It was set against the hunting privileges of nobility and territorial rulers.
The Philippine Sea is a marginal sea of the Western Pacific Ocean east of the Philippine Archipelago and the largest sea in the world, occupying an estimated surface area of 5 million square kilometers. The Philippine Sea Plate forms the floor of the sea. Its western border is the first island chain to the west, comprising the Ryukyu Islands in the northwest and Taiwan in the west. Its southwestern border comprises the Philippine islands of Luzon, Catanduanes, Samar, Leyte, and Mindanao. Its northern border comprises the Japanese islands of Honshu, Shikoku and Kyūshū. Its eastern border is the second island chain to the east, comprising the Bonin Islands and Iwo Jima in the northeast, the Mariana Islands in the due east, and Halmahera, Palau, Yap and Ulithi in the southeast. Its southern border is Indonesia's Morotai Island.
The Pearl and Hermes Atoll, also known as Pearl and Hermes Reef, is part of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, a group of small islands and atolls that form the farthest northwest portion of the Hawaiian island chain. The atoll consists of a variable number of flat and sandy islets, typically between five and seven. More were noted in historical sources but have since been lost to erosion and rising sea levels.
Antipatharians, also known as black corals or thorn corals, are an order of soft deep-water corals. These corals can be recognized by their jet-black or dark brown chitin skeletons, which are surrounded by their colored polyps. Antipatharians are a cosmopolitan order, existing in nearly every oceanic location and depth, with the sole exception of brackish waters. However, they are most frequently found on continental slopes under 50 m (164 ft) deep. A black coral reproduces both sexually and asexually throughout its lifetime. Many black corals provide housing, shelter, food, and protection for other animals.
The New Caledonian barrier reef is a barrier reef located in New Caledonia in the South Pacific, being the longest continuous barrier reef in the world and the third largest after the Great Barrier Reef of Australia and the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef.
The live fish trade can refer to the live food fish trade or to the ornamental fish trade. The fish can come from many places, but most comes from Southeast Asia.
Southeast Asian coral reefs have the highest levels of biodiversity for the world's marine ecosystems. They serve many functions, such as forming the livelihood for subsistence fishermen and even function as jewelry and construction materials. Corals inhabit coastal waters off of every continent except Antarctica, with an abundance of reefs residing along Southeast Asian coastline in several countries including Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand. Coral reefs are developed by the carbonate-based skeletons of a variety of animals and algae. Slowly and over time, the reefs build up to the surface in oceans. Coral reefs are found in shallow, warm salt water. The sunlight filters through clear water and allows microscopic organisms to live and reproduce. Coral reefs are actually composed of tiny, fragile animals known as coral polyps. Coral reefs are significantly important because of the biodiversity. Although the number of fish are decreasing, the remaining coral reefs contain more unique sea creatures. The variety of species living on a coral reef is greater than anywhere else in the world. An estimation of 70-90% of fish caught are dependent on coral reefs in Southeast Asia and reefs support over 25% of all known marine species. However, those sensitive coral reefs are facing detrimental effects on them due to variety of factors: overfishing, sedimentation and pollution, bleaching, and even tourist-related damage.
Blast fishing, fish bombing, dynamite fishing or grenade fishing is a destructive fishing practice using explosives to stun or kill schools of fish for easy collection. This often illegal practice is extremely destructive to the surrounding ecosystem, as the explosion often destroys the underlying habitat that supports the fish. The frequently improvised nature of the explosives used, and undetonated charges, means danger for fishermen and divers as well, with accidents and injuries.
Unsustainable fishing methods refers to the utilization of the various fishing methods in order to capture or harvest fish at a rate which sees the declining of fish populations over time. These methods are observed to facilitate the destructive fishing practices that destroy ecosystems within the ocean, and more readily results in overfishing, the depletion of fish populations at a rate that cannot be sustained.
The Tobago Cays are an archipelago located in the Southern Grenadines of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines comprising five small islands and extensive coral reefs. The cays – Petit Rameau, Petit Bateau, Baradal, Petit Tabac and Jamesby – are a popular tourism destination.
Wildlife trade refers to the products that are derived from non-domesticated animals or plants usually extracted from their natural environment or raised under controlled conditions. It can involve the trade of living or dead individuals, tissues such as skins, bones or meat, or other products. Legal wildlife trade is regulated by the United Nations' Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which currently has 184 member countries called Parties. Illegal wildlife trade is widespread and constitutes one of the major illegal economic activities, comparable to the traffic of drugs and weapons.
The wildlife of Cambodia is very diverse with at least 162 mammal species, 600 bird species, 176 reptile species, 900 freshwater fish species, 670 invertebrate species, and more than 3000 plant species. A single protected area, Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary, is known to support more than 950 total species, including 75 species that are listed as globally threatened on the IUCN Red List. An unknown amount of species remains to be described by science, especially the insect group of butterflies and moths, collectively known as lepidopterans.
Since declaring independence in 1981, Belize has enacted many environmental protection laws aimed at the preservation of the country's natural and cultural heritage, as well as its wealth of natural resources. These acts have established a number of different types of protected areas, with each category having its own set of regulations dictating public access, resource extraction, land use and ownership.
A wild fishery is a natural body of water with a sizeable free-ranging fish or other aquatic animal population that can be harvested for its commercial value. Wild fisheries can be marine (saltwater) or lacustrine/riverine (freshwater), and rely heavily on the carrying capacity of the local aquatic ecosystem.
Wildlife smuggling or wildlife trafficking concerns the illegal gathering and trade of endangered species and protected wildlife, including plants and byproducts or products utilizing a species. Research on wildlife smuggling has increased, however, knowledge of the illicit trade remains limited. The differences between international policies and tendencies likely contribute to the extensive estimated range of wildlife smuggling, anywhere from $5-$23 billion, with an additional $67-$193 billion when timber and fish are included. The prolific growth of wildlife smuggling makes it the fourth-largest criminal enterprise globally after drug, firearm, and human trafficking. Products demanded by the trade include but are not limited to ivory, bushmeat, traditional medicine, and exotic pets. China and the United States are the largest buyers in the illegal wildlife trade. It often involves other illegal activities such as tranquilizing animals without proper authorization.
The ivory trade is the commercial, often illegal trade in the ivory tusks of the hippopotamus, walrus, narwhal, black and white rhinos, mammoth, and most commonly, African and Asian elephants.
Human activities have substantial impact on coral reefs, contributing to their worldwide decline.[1] Damaging activities encompass coral mining, pollution, overfishing, blast fishing, as well as the excavation of canals and access points to islands and bays. Additional threats comprise disease, destructive fishing practices, and the warming of oceans.[2] Furthermore, the ocean's function as a carbon dioxide sink, alterations in the atmosphere, ultraviolet light, ocean acidification, viral infections, the repercussions of dust storms transporting agents to distant reefs, pollutants, and algal blooms represent some of the factors exerting influence on coral reefs. Importantly, the jeopardy faced by coral reefs extends far beyond coastal regions. The ramifications of climate change, notably global warming, induce an elevation in ocean temperatures that triggers coral bleaching—a potentially lethal phenomenon for coral ecosystems.
Coral aquaculture, also known as coral farming or coral gardening, is the cultivation of corals for commercial purposes or coral reef restoration. Aquaculture is showing promise as a tool for restoring coral reefs, which are dying off around the world. The process protects young corals while they are most at risk of dying. Small corals are propagated in nurseries and then replanted on the reef.
The St. Croix East End Marine Park (STXEEMP) was established to "protect territorially significant marine resources, and promote sustainability of marine ecosystems, including coral reefs, sea grass beds, wildlife habitats and other resources, and to conserve and preserve significant natural areas for the use and benefit of future generations." It is the U.S. Virgin Islands’ first territorially designated and managed marine protected area (MPA).
La Cordillera Reef is a nature reserve located 1.5 nautical miles from Fajardo, Puerto Rico consisting of a small archipelago of keys, coral reefs and rocky islets. The nature reserve covers about 18 nautical miles and almost 30,000 acres between Cape San Juan in Cabezas, Fajardo and the island of Culebra. With the exception of Palomino and Lobos Key which are privately owned, all islands, reefs and keys are protected by the marine reserve. The total land area of the reserve is 224 cuerdas. The nature reserve is also important for local fishermen, and eastern coastal municipalities such as Fajardo, Ceiba and Naguabo depend on the reserve for their fishing industries.