Petition targets 83 coral species for U.S. endangered species list protection

The Center for Biological Diversity recently prepared and filed a scientific petition to have 83 coral species listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act. The petition, filed on October 20, 2009, looks to use the powers of the Endangered Species Act to protect these corals identified as most the most vulnerable in U.S. waters.

Many of these corals have suffered greatly with over 30 percent loss in the last 30 years with increased ocean temperatures and CO2 levels contributing the danger of catastrophic and potentially unrecoverable mass bleaching. Recognizable corals available in the hobby include on the list are the ever-popular Flowerpot coral (Alveopora allingi), branching frogspawn (Euphyllia paradivisa), and 22 types of Acropora, to name a few.

As hobbyists we often pay close attention to the promotion of propagated and tank-raised corals but the additional of these corals to the Endangered Species list could make it harder for the import of these specific corals from non U.S.-protected waters.

This makes it even more important to do our part to keep these corals thriving within the hobby through education and promotion of coral propagation techniques. Will also be interesting to see what impact this may have on CITES legislation and other programs such as Indonesiaâ€™s coral quotas and Papau New Guineaâ€™s SEASMART program. Complete list of all 83 corals listed on this petition after the break.