CORAL REEFS AT RISK: COLLECTING GONE WILD

Countless people around the globe have a deep appreciation for the world’s beautiful and, irreplaceable coral reefs and their denizens, yet coral reefs around the world are in crisis. Over 25% have already died or are severely damaged, and another 30% are seriously threatened from overfishing, destructive fishing practices, coastal development and global warming. Our deep connection with these magnificent realms provides both problems and opportunities.

Strong demand from the marine aquarium industry adds additional pressure to coral reefs causing declines in some wild populations and indirect damage to reef ecosystems. Over-harvesting and the use of toxic sodium cyanide to stun fish cause lasting damage to already dwindling coral reefs. Unacceptably large numbers of marine animals die during transport from around the world, putting even more pressure on wild populations as collectors struggle to meet surging demand. This problem alarms aquarium hobbyists and all people who care about Earth's coral reefs.

This article was taken from here.