There is something about black. Black gowns, black and white balls, Johnny Cash, black pearl jewelry and a black pearl necklace. Black is classic. Black is hip. Except if it is black coral. Black coral has been harvested to decimating levels. It can be found in the Caribbean waters off of Mexico and Belize. These countries are beginning to protect the coral, but it is still being poached and decimated.
Ambergris Caye is is part of a string of barrier islands protecting main land Belize. It is a resort destination off the beaten path and protected by a reef. Arriving at the airport in San Pedro, crossing the tarmac and walking into town with the smell of the sea and the billowing white clouds above, it is easy to relax and feel like a piece of paradise has been found. But out in the ocean, by the reef, a battle is raging. The coral reef is a delicate environment. Belize has the second largest barrier reef in the world second only to the Great Barrier Reef of Australia. This invitesvisitors, especially divers. A lot of visitorssnorkel and dive to see the reef. Not everyone can appreciate the fragile habitat they are entering. Even careful divers can leave behind damage. Moving beneath a ledge can leave air bubbles that are harmful to sea life. Careless divers and people with snorkels can easily kick out or brush up against the reef causing damage.
A greater danger to some corals, black coral being one of them, is commerce. This ebony coral creates amazingjewelry. It is elegant and striking. It is also endangered. In Belize there are regulatory agencies that permit coral to be harvested by some commercial merchants. They are supposed to only pick up the dead coral that has fallen and lying on the bottom. While many of the merchants are vigilante and protective of the coral, there are still abuses occurring. Most traders concur that preserving the reef is in their best interest. A unique commodity is a more valuable product and claims a better price.
In Mexico, a lot of coral traders justify their harvest by claiming that there are vast beds deeper down. The current research doesn't support this. It has found few beds with questionable health. In addition, different depths provide different ecosystems. Harvesting shallow coral overwhelmingly alters a specific habitat. While black coral does well in the deep, it is still an important part of the reef eco-system.
One of the best ways to preserve black coral is to remove the demand for it. Purchasing black coral is similar to purchasing poached ivory- it comes at a devastating price to the environment. Knowing the origins of any thing may take some effort, but the effort could be saving a valuable natural wonder. Jewelry is a meaningful gift, a lovely thing to wear, but it can come from resources that are less threatened then black coral.
Ambergris Caye is is part of a string of barrier islands protecting main land Belize. It is a resort destination off the beaten path and protected by a reef. Arriving at the airport in San Pedro, crossing the tarmac and walking into town with the smell of the sea and the billowing white clouds above, it is easy to relax and feel like a piece of paradise has been found. But out in the ocean, by the reef, a battle is raging. The coral reef is a delicate environment. Belize has the second largest barrier reef in the world second only to the Great Barrier Reef of Australia. This invitesvisitors, especially divers. A lot of visitorssnorkel and dive to see the reef. Not everyone can appreciate the fragile habitat they are entering. Even careful divers can leave behind damage. Moving beneath a ledge can leave air bubbles that are harmful to sea life. Careless divers and people with snorkels can easily kick out or brush up against the reef causing damage.
A greater danger to some corals, black coral being one of them, is commerce. This ebony coral creates amazingjewelry. It is elegant and striking. It is also endangered. In Belize there are regulatory agencies that permit coral to be harvested by some commercial merchants. They are supposed to only pick up the dead coral that has fallen and lying on the bottom. While many of the merchants are vigilante and protective of the coral, there are still abuses occurring. Most traders concur that preserving the reef is in their best interest. A unique commodity is a more valuable product and claims a better price.
In Mexico, a lot of coral traders justify their harvest by claiming that there are vast beds deeper down. The current research doesn't support this. It has found few beds with questionable health. In addition, different depths provide different ecosystems. Harvesting shallow coral overwhelmingly alters a specific habitat. While black coral does well in the deep, it is still an important part of the reef eco-system.
One of the best ways to preserve black coral is to remove the demand for it. Purchasing black coral is similar to purchasing poached ivory- it comes at a devastating price to the environment. Knowing the origins of any thing may take some effort, but the effort could be saving a valuable natural wonder. Jewelry is a meaningful gift, a lovely thing to wear, but it can come from resources that are less threatened then black coral.
About the Author:
Connor R. Sullivan recently purchased some black pearl jewelry for his wife on a cruise. He gave her a black pearl necklace which was stunning.
