NOAA lists 20 coral species as threatened under the endangered species act.

[KPG007]

A good article on Reef Builders: Here

From the article:
This ruling does not automatically ban the trade of these corals for the time being, those decisions are still in the pipeline and will come out soon enough, but they do state that “we will evaluate whether there are protective regulations necessary and advisable for the conservation of any of the 20 species newly-listed as threatened in this final rule, including application of some or all of the take prohibitions.”



Also, I believe, this is a US ruling and does not apply to Canada. That said, as most of our corals come through the US....

[DAVE]

Originally Posted by KPG007

A good article on Reef Builders: Here

Also, I believe, this is a US ruling and does not apply to Canada. That said, as most of our corals come through the US....

This is not true. It will apply to Canada, and I would say 80% of the corals in Canada are not from the US.

[MitchM]

I would be interested to hear how they intend to identify the various acropora species that are listed.
Depending on the acro's environment, the coral skeleton may develop differently.
An acropora that develops in a lower light, lower water flow environment can have a different skeleton growth pattern than one that develops in a high light, high water flow environment.

[Scythanith]

Originally Posted by MitchM

I would be interested to hear how they intend to identify the various acropora species that are listed.
Depending on the acro's environment, the coral skeleton may develop differently.
An acropora that develops in a lower light, lower water flow environment can have a different skeleton growth pattern than one that develops in a high light, high water flow environment.

Unfortunately it won't matter. The customs/border agent see's a "stick like" coral and holds up the shipment for a CWS agent to come and look at it. By the time CWS gets there to look at it it's like been a couple days and the coral will be dead. The risk to store owners/importers will become too great.

[MitchM]

Originally Posted by Scythanith

Unfortunately it won't matter. The customs/border agent see's a "stick like" coral and holds up the shipment for a CWS agent to come and look at it. By the time CWS gets there to look at it it's like been a couple days and the coral will be dead. The risk to store owners/importers will become too great.

Dead is the only way you can accurately identify an acropora anyways.

....

....sounds like the inspection process itself will become a hazard to corals.

[Masonjames]

Did anyone who attended macna attend Julian Sprungs presentation? I understand it was on this exact subject? And why all the recent buzz. Apparently his presentation was also one of the least attended. Lol. Go figure.

Couldn't find anything from the presentation besides others writings and responses to it but I did find Sprungs public commentary he submitted to NOAA following the original proposal.

Interesting read anyways.

http://www.reef2rainforest.com/wp-co...AA_letter4.pdf

[Scythanith]

I donated $150.00 to the PIJAC Marine Ornamental Defence Fund. I encourage everyone to donate what they can.

PIJAC Link

[Scythanith]

Originally Posted by KPG007

Also, I believe, this is a US ruling and does not apply to Canada. That said, as most of our corals come through the US....

If the species are successfully added to the CITES Appendices then Environment Canada uses the Canadian Wildlife Services to enforce them. Canada signed on with CITES in 1975.

Now my question is since the NOAA and ERA are american, do they now have to apply to CITES to have the corals upgraded from Appendix II to Appendix I?