Fiji Livestock Ban: Coral and Rock Exports Halted

[MikeA]

Recently noted on the Ministry of Fisheries, Fiji FB page...

https://www.facebook.com/fisheriesfiji/posts/1501326856649871

The Ministry of Fisheries has banned all harvesting, purchasing, sales and export of live coral and aquarium rock (also known as live rock, coral rock or fossil coral) from the 28th of December, 2017.
All companies are to adhere to the following:
1. All harvesting, purchasing and sales of live rocks and live coral are now banned, and no export permits would be processed by the ministry.
2. The Convention in International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Scientific Committee (SC) will be submitting to the Management Authority (MA) on 7th January 2018 that Live Coral and Live Rock is given a zero quota for 2018.
3. The Ministry of Fisheries and both the CITES MA and SC would be supporting the development of other sustainable options, particularly the development of farmed or cultured coral.

From Walt Smith International:

 

[AlexG]

This should be interesting to watch. Its good to see they are going to be supporting sustainable options such as coral farming.

 

[MikeA]

This should be interesting to watch. Its good to see they are going to be supporting sustainable options such as coral farming.

Indeed. Particularly if Tonga, Samoa etc follow suit.

 

[JaimeAdams]

Yeah.... I certainly do not agree with the outright banning of any fishery, especially sustainably harvested ones, such as Fiji. I guess we just all have to hope that better resources go to coral farming, which is already taking place in fairly large scale.

 

[Mark Gray]

Hum wonder if they are going to Shut Walt Smith down

 

[Zack K]

Just to clarify, this isn’t fish, just rock and coral correct?

 

[becks]

Just to clarify, this isn’t fish, just rock and coral correct?

Just rock and coral

 

[Mark Gray]

Just rock and coral

I bet that is 75% of Walt Smiths business

 

[Mark Gray]

I bet that is 75% of Walt Smiths business

I think I am going to email walt his facility is huge in Fiji

 

[Flippers4pups]

Would be nice for the hobby/industry, if they would have given a reason why!

Walt and all his employees must be reeling!

 

[Mark Gray]

Would be nice for the hobby/industry, if they would have given a reason why!

Walt and all his employees must be reeling!

I agree I emailed them but they are kind of slow to respond I was in Fiji this year I wanted to tour the facility but didn't get a chance too

 

[chefjpaul]

From WS:

Walt Smith International, Fiji would like to acknowledge the recent statement in the news related to the complete ban of collection and export of Coral and Live Rock. The Recent ban has come as a total shock to our company and the industry in Fiji. We only found out by a facebook post Friday morning and have not been legally notified of any bans currently in place.

Required protocol in matters like this are to consult with local industry before any actions are taken. We have been in contact with the local government and are working through the issues and future of the exports in Fiji but cannot comment further until work resumes on Tuesday January 2nd.

While this is potential roadblock for our company, we are confident that our business will continue.

We appreciate the concern and consideration for the reefs and sustainability in Fiji, and as WSI maintains a sustainable approach toward all our operations with our coral farms, reef replanting operations with the ADEProject.org, we have high hopes for a great sustainable future within Fiji.

Fortunately for WSI we have extended ourselves to be able to export our Man Made rock and Cultured corals, along with our wonderful Fiji Fish.

Walt, Deb & Dave
Our 100+ Local Employees

 

[dodgerblew]

Maybe Walt will switch his energy into mariculture, if he hasn't already

 

[revhtree]

Wow this is pretty huge news! Ughh!!!

 

[revhtree]

Maybe Walt will switch his energy into mariculture, if he hasn't already

The way it sounds that no coral or rock at all will be allowed to be exported.

 

[Cleo642]

Walt Smith will make it work.

 

[dodgerblew]

The way it sounds that no coral or rock at all will be allowed to be exported.

Really Rev, hmmm. Farmed coral has to be mounted on something. Maybe he can use artificial bases

 

[revhtree]

Really Rev, hmmm. Farmed coral has to be mounted on something. Maybe he can use artificial bases

I mean even farmed coral might not be allowed to be exported.

 

[dodgerblew]

That would not only bite and it doesn't make sense if they halted responsible farming. Doesn't hurt the reefs

 

[Flippers4pups]

I mean even farmed coral might not be allowed to be exported.

:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:;Dead