Coral harvesting refers to the collection of coral from marine environments for various human uses. This activity has a long history, with evidence of coral fishing dating back to the 15th century. Historically, methods were often rudimentary, yet effective in extracting coral from the seabed.
Methods and Purposes of Coral Harvesting
Coral harvesting employs various techniques to extract these marine organisms, ranging from destructive methods to more selective approaches. One damaging method involves blasting large areas of reef with dynamite or using large-scale manual removal. Another historical method involved dragging a weighted wooden cross with nets across the seabed, uprooting coral branches. More selective methods, often employed by professional divers, involve hand collection using tools like hammers and ice axes, targeting specific coral colonies.
Coral is harvested for diverse purposes, with significant demand from the aquarium trade for both live and dead specimens. The jewelry and decorative items market also drives a substantial portion of coral harvesting, with red coral being particularly valued. Coral is also mined for use as building materials, including limestone, aggregate, and cement. Additionally, dead coral is harvested for calcium supplements, and corals are sought for pharmaceutical research due to their potential for novel drug discovery.
Ecological Impact of Coral Harvesting
The extraction of coral from marine environments has significant negative effects on the entire reef ecosystem. Harvesting directly leads to habitat destruction, as coral structures provide shelter, breeding grounds, and food sources for a vast array of marine life. The loss of these complex structures results in a significant reduction in biodiversity, impacting fish, invertebrates, and other organisms that depend on healthy reefs.
This disruption extends beyond the immediate removal of coral, leading to an imbalance in the delicate ecological relationships within the reef. Remaining coral colonies may become more susceptible to diseases, as their natural defenses and environmental stability are compromised. The recovery rates of damaged reefs are slow, often taking hundreds to thousands of years for the skeletal framework to rebuild. This extended recovery period means that even small-scale, repeated harvesting can have long-lasting, detrimental consequences for reef health and the marine communities they support.
Regulations and Conservation Efforts
Various legal frameworks and international agreements regulate or prohibit coral harvesting, reflecting a growing global awareness of reef degradation. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is a prominent international treaty that regulates the cross-border trade of species, including many corals, to ensure their survival is not threatened. All stony corals, for instance, are listed under CITES Appendix II, meaning trade is allowed but requires an export permit.
National and local laws further reinforce these protections, often designating marine protected areas (MPAs) where coral harvesting is restricted or entirely forbidden. For example, the U.S. Coral Reef Conservation Act promotes science-based management and sustainable use of coral reef ecosystems, while the Endangered Species Act protects over 25 listed coral species. Beyond legal measures, conservation efforts include public awareness campaigns to educate consumers about the impacts of wild-harvested coral and initiatives that promote sustainable fishing practices and alternative livelihoods for coastal communities.
Sustainable Alternatives and Practices
To mitigate the impact of wild coral harvesting, sustainable alternatives and practices are being developed and promoted. Coral aquaculture involves cultivating corals in controlled environments for commercial purposes or reef restoration. This method can supply the aquarium trade with corals without relying on wild collection, thereby reducing pressure on natural reefs.
Coral farming can involve growing corals from small fragments in nurseries before they are replanted onto reefs. This practice also creates alternative livelihoods for communities traditionally involved in wild harvesting. Consumers can contribute to conservation by choosing sustainably sourced corals from certified operations or opting for artificial corals and other alternative decorative materials. Research also explores the aquaculture of corals for pharmaceutical purposes, providing a sustainable source of bioactive compounds without depleting wild populations.