So I've been watching this thread on RC:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1953435&page=2
The guy is in Brasil, and has seen some cool scolymia he wants to buy in an LFS, but is unsure of the legality.
This got me researching, and I'm coming up with a lot of confusing stuff, but no clear answer. When I was in Brasil(5 or so yrs ago), I saw lots of cool stuff, and assumed that I wouldn't be able to get it back to the US. I also saw several types of Atlantic hard coral for sale in Brasil, even though it was my understanding that there was a ban on collection of any Atlantic hard coral in place by some organization somewhere.
This is all too nebulous for me.
Are Atlantic corals illegal to collect, and says who? Is it up to each country individually? I know they are illegal to import into the US, but what about owning them in other countries? It's my understanding that it is illegal to import Atlantic coral because the US is a CITES member and no permits are issued, but is this the real reason? What governs collection in waters in places such as Haiti, if you live in Haiti?
When I was in Brasil I asked about several hard corals such as a nice meandrina brasiliensis, and the LFS guy said that he didn't know if it was legal or not, someone just brought it into his store to sell and he bought it. If this seems odd to you, keep in mind the "store" was in a favela and made out of plywood. I also saw quite a few borderline legal animals for sale in the street markets, and there appeared to be no enforcement of any kind in sight. I'm sure that would change the minute you tried to bring the animal on an international flight, but it makes me wonder.
Can anyone recommend a site or resource that would allow me to familiarize myself with the laws regarding international trade in animals? Bonus if it's coral specific. I've always just assumed it's a bad idea to think of bringing something home when I travel, but I'd like to know as much as I can.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1953435&page=2
The guy is in Brasil, and has seen some cool scolymia he wants to buy in an LFS, but is unsure of the legality.
This got me researching, and I'm coming up with a lot of confusing stuff, but no clear answer. When I was in Brasil(5 or so yrs ago), I saw lots of cool stuff, and assumed that I wouldn't be able to get it back to the US. I also saw several types of Atlantic hard coral for sale in Brasil, even though it was my understanding that there was a ban on collection of any Atlantic hard coral in place by some organization somewhere.
This is all too nebulous for me.
Are Atlantic corals illegal to collect, and says who? Is it up to each country individually? I know they are illegal to import into the US, but what about owning them in other countries? It's my understanding that it is illegal to import Atlantic coral because the US is a CITES member and no permits are issued, but is this the real reason? What governs collection in waters in places such as Haiti, if you live in Haiti?
When I was in Brasil I asked about several hard corals such as a nice meandrina brasiliensis, and the LFS guy said that he didn't know if it was legal or not, someone just brought it into his store to sell and he bought it. If this seems odd to you, keep in mind the "store" was in a favela and made out of plywood. I also saw quite a few borderline legal animals for sale in the street markets, and there appeared to be no enforcement of any kind in sight. I'm sure that would change the minute you tried to bring the animal on an international flight, but it makes me wonder.
Can anyone recommend a site or resource that would allow me to familiarize myself with the laws regarding international trade in animals? Bonus if it's coral specific. I've always just assumed it's a bad idea to think of bringing something home when I travel, but I'd like to know as much as I can.