WP/AP: Curbs, Not Ban, Imposed on Black Coral Harvest

[DeepModem Mom]

Curbs, Not Ban, Imposed on Black Coral Harvest
Associated Press
Friday, June 3, 2005; Page A21


HONOLULU -- A federal council declined to impose a five-year ban on harvesting the gemstone known as black coral in Hawaiian waters, opting instead to restrict the practice to older populations of the coral.

The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council on Wednesday rejected a recommendation from its Scientific and Statistical Committee to temporarily ban the harvest because of signs that younger populations were declining.

Black coral is a living organism that attaches itself to rocks in deep ocean water and grows like a plant. People harvest the animal's skeleton after it dies for use in jewelry and sculptures. The Hawaii sales of black coral are estimated to be worth about $30 million a year.

While the council members agreed that more regulation was needed, they felt a blanket moratorium on harvesting the Hawaii state gem was unnecessary....


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/02/AR2005060201955.html