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As some of you may know, there has been a ban on the export of Tonga live rock since early August. We’ve contacted several suppliers and wholesalers to confirm that there is no “new” Tonga live rock available anywhere and whatever remained after the ban was quickly bought up. Â Normally live rock is collected in rubble zones away from the actual reefs where large pieces of rock have naturally been separated from the reef. Our understanding of this fiasco began when some unscrupulous collectors began to just pry rock loose from the subtidal zone, right off the beach and in full view of a local school. The crowbars in use made such an impression that a big ruckus was made which led to the current ban on Tonga live rock. That is the simplified version of the story with many different other versions floating around. Whatever the case, Tonga branch, fusion or the popular Kaelini rock will not be available again until the Kingdom of Tonga gets it’s regulations in order.
