coral trade

[Francesca Marubini]

Dear coral-listers,

I would like to know what is the general opinion on the increasing trade in
hermatypic corals for private aquaria. Is it regulated by any international
law? If it is illegal to collect corals in many countries, why is it legal
(at least in UK and Italy, where I have checked) to import and sell live
coral which presumably comes from natural reefs? Are there any 'coral farms'? 

Sincerely
Francesca Marubini

please reply directly to me at : f.marubini at iol.it