Trade in corals.

[Rick Grigg]

Dear John,

	In the United States, I think the Lacey Act makes it illegal to
import corals into the US, if collection is outlawed in the country of
Origin.  On top of this, Cities laws apply to all species on Appendix I
and II.
					Rick Grigg, University of Hawaii

At 08:04 AM 2/14/00 -0500, John Ware wrote:
>Dear List:
>
>Some years ago, after having been told all sorts of conflicting stories
>concerning rules, regulations, and laws concerning the importation of
>corals and coral products [e.g., Importation is permitted if the coral
>has been 'worked' into jewelry, or importation is permitted for
>'personal use'], I decided to contact the source of knowledge.  Under
>the presumption that the authority for enforcing whatever regulations
>there may be lay with the US Customs Service, I made numerous phone
>calls to the Service and talked to countless people.  
>
>The net result was frustration.  I was handed from person to person,
>none of whom had the slightest notion as to whether there were any rules
>regarding corals or not, or even who I should contact as the proper
>authority. While other agencies may set the rules or have some sort of
>authority with regard to enforcement, the fact that Customs, which is
>the front line in enforcement, is working from a position of ignorance
>would seem to mitigate whatever regulations are or may be in existence.
>  
>In addition, it would appear that any exploitation rule that was species
>specific would require enforcement by personnel trained in
>identification of coral species from skeletal remains.  A daunting task
>even for experts, particularly if the skeleton has been altered.
>
>Does anyone on the coral list *know* what rules, laws, or regulations
>apply to importation of coral (including soft corals) into the United
>States, whether for personal or commercial use?  If the rules could be
>expressed in a few hundred words (a few dozen would be better), I am
>sure the List would be interested.
>
>Dive safe,
>John
>
>
>
>
>-- 
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>     *                                                           *
>     *                       John R. Ware, PhD                   *
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