The Global Trade in Coral

Author: Green, E., Shirley, F.
Date Published: January 1999
ISBN: 1-899628-14-2

Biodiversity Series 9

This study assesses the global trade in coral in an ecological and economic context. Throughout the report emphasis is placed on the trade in live coral for aquaria because the last decade has seen an enormous increase in this business. The taxonomic composition of the trade is identified and the quantities of coral passing between nations illustrate the links between major exporters and importers. Subsequent chapters present data on the practicalities of monitoring international trade in coral at the global scale. Size and growth rate data are used to assess the sustainability of the trade in live coral, and export and retail prices are used to estimate the revenue to exporting nations.