BUENOS AIRES (AFP) - Argentine customs said Monday it had seized a valuable, five-ton shipment of endangered and protected coral and seashells from the Philippines that was destined for the black market in tourist haven Mar del Plata.
The illegal shipment of some 1,500 pieces of coral and seashells was listed as manufactured goods when it arrived at the Buenos Aires port, customs officials said.
Most of the protected species are included in the 1975 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which ensures that trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.
Argentine customs officials said they were considering donating the coral and shells to museums or environmental organizations for their preservation.
Mar del Plata, 400 kilometers (250 miles) southeast of Buenos Aires on the Atlantic coast, is one of Latin America's top tourist destinations.
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With the economic and consumer boom and the return of the middle class, there has been a surge in custom busts from drugs, to electronics, to things like rare artifacts to adorn some of the many new homes and apartments springing up in the hot housing market (not just locals but foreigners furnishing their new penthouses too). Such busts are now a weekly occurrence in our ports and in all our borders.
But coral reefs? What do you exactly DO with corals and seashells? These ecosystems take so long to grow and are fragile... If on top the climate challenges they are also being purposefully destroyed in poorer countries, to go to some completely insane and scrupulous buyers with money, that is just unbelievable.
Those reefs takes centuries to flourish. Sad.
My internet was not shut down, the internet has shut me down
Francoflier From France, joined Oct 2001, 3195 posts, RR: 10 Reply 1, posted (5 years 6 months 2 weeks 2 days 5 hours ago) and read 800 times:
It is really sad to continuously see people so eagerly destroying the planet's dying breeds to use them as ornaments.
The worst is that they very much know the damage they're doing, they know they shouldn't, but it'll look SO good on the wall of the living room on top of where the leopard skin rug is...
Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit posting...
ACDC8 From Canada, joined Mar 2005, 7598 posts, RR: 40 Reply 2, posted (5 years 6 months 2 weeks 2 days 3 hours ago) and read 777 times:
I'm assuming that these coral pieces were dried out and not destined for aquariums? Anyone know if there are different requlations for coral/rock that is shipped for live purposes?
Ha763 From United States of America, joined Jan 2003, 3492 posts, RR: 6 Reply 3, posted (5 years 6 months 2 weeks 1 day 5 hours ago) and read 727 times:
Quoting Derico (Thread starter): But coral reefs? What do you exactly DO with corals and seashells?
Make jewelry. Check out some samples of coral jewelry:
Graphic From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 4, posted (5 years 6 months 2 weeks 1 day 2 hours ago) and read 699 times:
Quoting ACDC8 (Reply 2): Anyone know if there are different requlations for coral/rock that is shipped for live purposes?
Usually you get what is called "live rock" and the coral I guess grows on it after you put it in the saltwater aquarium. I guess that's how it works, I've never dabbled with Saltwater before.
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From Argentina, joined Dec 1999, 4233 posts, 
From France, joined Oct 2001, 3195 posts, 
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