Where can I legally collect coral in the pacific?

Subtropic Reefer · Dec 30, 2020

So I really want to wild collect a few corals. It does not hurt the reefs as much as you think it does. In fact, parrot fish eat nearly 100x more coral than we collect each year. I don’t know if that is completely true. But it’s not far from the truth. Anyway, I know the Caribbean is strictly off limits for any coral other than soft, but what about the pacific? What places allow collection of only soft coral? What place allow collection of stony coral to? I’m talking reacreationally so i don’t want to get a commercial permit. If I just need to get a fishing permit or something, that is fine. I heard Western Australia allows collection? Thanks in advance.

Subtropic Reefer · Dec 30, 2020

What about Solomon Islands?

wonroc · Dec 30, 2020

do it wherever no one is looking

ParadoxicalCabbage · Dec 30, 2020

Do it legally and get a permit. You don't want to end up in a Solomon Islands jail cell.

User1 · Dec 30, 2020

Subtropic Reefer said:
So I really want to wild collect a few corals. It does not hurt the reefs as much as you think it does.

I don't know about this. You have any data to back up your comment? Reference? Peer reviewed papers? Anything other than anecdotal comments? One person sure, you are probably right. Two people maybe not a big deal. 200 people or 10,000 people per day doing it and the problem begins. Interesting article if want to search and read up on the Hanauma Bay and its recovery due to covid.

Subtropic Reefer said:
In fact, parrot fish eat nearly 100x more coral than we collect each year. I don’t know if that is completely true. But it’s not far from the truth.

If you don't know why post about it? I don't but I'd wager they serve a purpose just as others. Mother Nature is pretty smart.

Subtropic Reefer said:
Anyway, I know the Caribbean is strictly off limits for any coral other than soft, but what about the pacific? What places allow collection of only soft coral? What place allow collection of stony coral to? I’m talking reacreationally so i don’t want to get a commercial permit. If I just need to get a fishing permit or something, that is fine. I heard Western Australia allows collection? Thanks in advance.

You didn't say where in the Pacific. Best bet is to pick a place you are thinking of and send emails to the parks, rangers, and other agencies for best guidance. There are two sides to it. Collection and returning to your residence which means shipping or carry on. Taking advise from someone on a forum who may not be the subject mater expert based on the region you are doing this could land you in jail or heavily fined. I'd rather pass and not get you into any trouble

Seriously that is your best bet. I live in California. During our drought years I collect and use NSW. The challenge was to collect it from a good source which in most cases is a park or marine reserve

I had to call the water resource control board, the park rangers, and was even routed to the EPA (have to love Cali). Once it was all said and done the easy reply I got was anywhere that isn't a marine reserve. Everything else is fair game as long as I'm outside those areas and not collecting 1,000 of gallons.

Anyway TL; DR - to protect you I'd recommend looking for the areas you want to collect or considering and email. I think you may have better luck on permits, license, if needed, or not, etc. Don't forget the way home if you are coming back to the US for clearing customers or how to bring it.

Best of luck!

Uncle99 · Dec 30, 2020

Sure glad that’s not a popular idea.
I doubt coral of any type can be collected for free.
For those areas which allow some harvesting, highly controlled by Government through licensing I suspect.

Tired · Dec 30, 2020

How are you going to get it home? Importing is tricky, and you have to keep the stuff alive.

"The Pacific" is a massive place. Any specific area? You should probably go somewhere warm so you don't get a bunch of coldwater corals that'll just die in a warm reef.

Also, you live in Florida. Go collect in Florida. I know that's legal, with permits, if you make sure to only take reasonable amounts of the allowed species. You've got amazing ricordeas down there, go after those. Heck, get some shrimp, maybe a goby. Make a Florida biotope.

Subtropic Reefer · Dec 30, 2020

wonroc said:
do it wherever no one is looking

That’s not very smart. I want to do it legally.

Subtropic Reefer · Dec 30, 2020

Uncle99 said:
Sure glad that’s not a popular idea.
I doubt coral of any type can be collected for free.
For those areas which allow some harvesting, highly controlled by Government through licensing I suspect.

Here in Florida where I live, I can collect soft corals with just a saltwater fishing liscense. I’ve collected many nice ricordia and zoantheds.

Subtropic Reefer · Dec 30, 2020

Tired said:
How are you going to get it home? Importing is tricky, and you have to keep the stuff alive.

"The Pacific" is a massive place. Any specific area? You should probably go somewhere warm so you don't get a bunch of coldwater corals that'll just die in a warm reef.

Also, you live in Florida. Go collect in Florida. I know that's legal, with permits, if you make sure to only take reasonable amounts of the allowed species. You've got amazing ricordeas down there, go after those. Heck, get some shrimp, maybe a goby. Make a Florida biotope.

I have a wild Florida coral garden. There is a beat up reef 10 minutes from where I live. I feed and turn coral right side up and kind of just manage it in a little area probably like 15’ by 15’. I have collected gorgs and zoas but ricordia are becoming very rare in the shallows here Bc of commercial. I am not certified to go deeper than 40 feet. I figured since you can collect soft coral in Florida, are there other places in the pacific that I can collect soft? I am going on vacation somewhere soon (after pandemic settles down) and would like to go somewhere that I can get a few leathers or something.

Tired · Dec 30, 2020

I think the bigger problem isn't collecting the coral, it's getting it home. Maintaining it alive in a hotel room until you're ready to leave is an issue, getting the airline to let you on with water is an issue (most places allow it if a live fish is in the water, but not everywhere is aware of that policy, and coral may not count), and, most importantly, importing it is an issue.

fish farmer · Dec 30, 2020

Might want to read up on CITES permits

https://www.fws.gov/international/pdf/factsheet-cites-permits-and-certificates-2013.pdf

Subtropic Reefer · Dec 30, 2020

Tired said:
I think the bigger problem isn't collecting the coral, it's getting it home. Maintaining it alive in a hotel room until you're ready to leave is an issue, getting the airline to let you on with water is an issue (most places allow it if a live fish is in the water, but not everywhere is aware of that policy, and coral may not count), and, most importantly, importing it is an issue.

Well unless someone finds something else on it, I’ll keep collecting in Florida and I’ll dive for fun in other parts of the world. Also one time I saw a candy basslet and spent an hour attempting to catch it but it just would come out of its rock (sad face)

Subtropic Reefer · Dec 30, 2020

Also could someone tell me how reed builders was able to wild collect coral and take it home from Solomon?

Spare time · Dec 30, 2020

Subtropic Reefer said:
So I really want to wild collect a few corals. It does not hurt the reefs as much as you think it does. In fact, parrot fish eat nearly 100x more coral than we collect each year. I don’t know if that is completely true. But it’s not far from the truth. Anyway, I know the Caribbean is strictly off limits for any coral other than soft, but what about the pacific? What places allow collection of only soft coral? What place allow collection of stony coral to? I’m talking reacreationally so i don’t want to get a commercial permit. If I just need to get a fishing permit or something, that is fine. I heard Western Australia allows collection? Thanks in advance.

Parrot fish do sop as a part of a process in their ecosystem where the energy remains. They perform an operation in their ecological niche that is necessary and functional. Collecting corals is completely different, and considering that 80% of reef area has disappeared, it is generally frowned upon.

Subtropic Reefer · Dec 30, 2020

Spare time said:
Parrot fish do sop as a part of a process in their ecosystem where the energy remains. They perform an operation in their ecological niche that is necessary and functional. Collecting corals is completely different, and considering that 80% of reef area has disappeared, it is generally frowned upon.

I’m gonna be a marine biologist in the Cayman Islands and help the reefs. Or at least that is my current plan lol. I’ll probably have 10 more job ideas before I’m in highschool

tehmadreefer · Dec 30, 2020

wonroc said:
do it wherever no one is looking

Not a good example and against the TOS for telling someone to break the law and take corals...

joseserrano · Dec 30, 2020

Reefbuilders imported through unique corals Solomon island facility. You need permits to get things in and out of wherever you plan to do this, In addition to the infrastructure to ship the items.