Is it OK to buy coral? I'm concerned that it may be contributing to the destruction of coral reefs.

Question

Should there be a ban on buying coral? Is the market for coral causing destruction of habitat?

Answer 1

Don't buy coral.

Coral reefs are being destroyed all over the world!

Answer 2

Good set-up Q. I hope you understand my sarcasm is not directed at you who asked the Q, but those who do not know better but refuse to act responsibly bec the others aren't. I understand about the adverse impacts of human activities of an expanding human population with increasing economic and comfort expectations. I am not against economic growth per se if we do it smartly and sustainably rather than crazily like a wild bunch of starving, parched, nomadic savages who luckily just came across a small bonanza of food & water in the middle of a desert.

Now with those preliminary comments said:

Go ahead and buy coral or coral products if you don't care how consumption drives poachers to seek coral for jewelry and decoration in pristine areas. If you have never seen a living full-of-life coral reef and rare living corals, we who have, will hate your guts and your stupidity!

Google "coral reef ecosystems" and get up to speed.

I recommend--> http://www.mnh.si.edu/biodiversity/ccre....

Answer 3

There is a ban. Do not buy it.