Coral trade statistics

[Barbara Best]

Dear Coral-List Colleagues:

On  April 24, James Sprouse requested information on the international and 
local trade of corals and shells.

	   I wish to direct his and your attention to a report recently released by 
the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force, entitled  "International Trade in Coral and 
Coral Reef Species: The Role of the United States."  The report was prepared 
by the International Working Group - Trade Subgroup of the Task Force. 

The report is available on the web at http://coralreef.gov/wgr.html.  The 
main body of the report, as well as Appendix I, contains an analysis of trade 
statistics for CITES-listed coral reef species (hard corals, giant clams, 
Queen conch), as well as information on potential impacts of trade on coral 
reefs.  

The Trade Subgroup welcomes any comments or suggestions you may have on the 
report.  In particular, we welcome any additions or corrections to this draft 
report, so that we may continue to improve and update the information it 
contains.  

This trade report was mandated by the U.S. Executive Order (#13089) for the 
Protection of Coral Reefs, which charged the U.S. Secretary of State and the 
Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development with assessing 
and addressing the role of the United States in the international trade of 
coral and coral reef species.  The analysis, as documented in the trade 
report, found that the U.S. is the number one consumer of live coral and 
marine fishes for the aquarium trade and of coral skeletons and precious 
corals for curios and jewelry.  However inadvertently, American consumers of 
coral reef products are contributing to stress on coral reef ecosystems 
around the world. 

The trade report also presents a broad, seven-point strategy for addressing 
some of the problems with the trade in coral reef species.  The 
recommendations were developed following extensive consultations with 
stakeholders, industry members, non-governmental organizations, scientists, 
international institutions and other governments.  The last recommendation 
emphasizes the need for new legislation to reduce the adverse impacts of 
trade and collection in coral and coral reef species, encourage more 
responsible trade, and encourage the conservation and sustainable management 
of coral reef ecosystems both domestically and internationally.  

	If you have any questions/comments regarding the report, please send them 
directly to me.    If you have specific questions about the trade statistics 
for CITES-listed species presented in the report, please contact Andy 
Bruckner, who analyzed the trade information, at "andy.bruckner at noaa.gov". 

Cheers - Barbara Best 

******************************************
Barbara A. Best, Ph.D.
Marine and Coastal Resource Advisor
USAID/G/ENV  Rm 3.8                 Tel:202-712-0553
1300 Pennsylvania Ave., NW     Fax:202-216-3174
Washington, DC  20523-3800     BBest at USAID.gov