Coral trade in peril

Natural coral reefs under pressure

Yes, coral reefs worldwide are in serious trouble. This is due to a multitude of problems: ranging from climate change and ocean acidification to pollution and sedimentation. In fact, ‘in peril’ could just as well be used to describe the situation for the whole reef biotope. The recent ban on trade in farmed coral may very well turn out to be yet another nail in the coffin for the reefs.

Indonesian ban on coral export

In May this year, the Indonesian government shocked the global ornamental marine trade by shutting down all export of coral in a sudden blanket ban. For the import market – who used to get 50-60% of their coral supply from Indonesia – the effect has been grave. The real looser is, however, the mariculture and export industry in Indonesia itself. Employing an estimated 12,000 people, in mainly coastal communities with few other employment options, the industry has been severely hit. Already around half the jobs in the industry have gone and export sales have plummeted. 

The reason for the ban remains a mystery. No official reason has been given. Unofficially, reasons abound: from the need to renew health certificates, problems with wild coral being passed off as farmed, the inability to synchronise regulations between various ministries, to the ban being part of a five-year review of natural resources management. 

The conservation issue

The importance of coral reefs is widely recognised, and there are plenty of good and valid reasons for protecting and managing them, but it is disputable whether closing down an important industry for coastal communities is the best way to go.

In fact, coral farms in Indonesia offer many benefits to sustainability and coral reef conservation. The Indonesian Nature Foundation LINI lists a few:

• Teaching communities the economic and conservation value of coral reefs, encouraging them to better manage their coastline.
• Creating new areas of reef habitat that support many other species of invertebrate and fish.
• Teaching workers conservation techniques that can be used to help restore natural reef.
• Providing livelihood opportunities in remote communities where people otherwise might have undertaken destructive practices to generate income.
• Placing farmed corals back onto natural reefs for restoration purposes.

The export ban is rapidly killing all sustainable reef farming and long-term natural reef conservation efforts. Importing countries may be able to ride the storm, by choosing alternative sources. 

However, in the long term, it is questionable whether the industry can afford to lose this proven sustainable supply that has both livelihood and conservation benefits, and which reflects positively on the whole trade and hobby.

Should the ban be lifted before irreversible damage has been caused, importers must be prepared to do their utmost to help the Indonesian reef farming industry back on its feet.