This necklace is hiding a dark secret

Summary

Corals are animals that build reefs from skeletons formed by colonies of tiny animals called polyps. Their skeletons are traded for jewelry and ornaments, while live corals are also sought by aquariums. The trade includes legal sales regulated by the international CITES system, but coral is also poached and smuggled. Smuggling methods include falsifying CITES certificates, hiding coral in passenger luggage, and mixing it with legal fish shipments.

Coral reefs support about a quarter of marine life, help protect shorelines from waves, and may contribute to medicine. They are increasingly threatened by ocean warming, acidification, pollution, fishing, and harvesting. The video cites an estimate that as many as 90% of reefs could be dead by 2050 if ocean heatwaves continue. Removing coral can also damage the seabed’s structure and reduce the biodiversity it supports; recovery may take decades.

DNA testing to identify coral

A University of Zurich lab is developing a way to test coral objects, such as beads, to help verify their species and origin:

1. Take a small sample from an existing hole or another minimally damaging spot.
2. Purify and incubate the sample.
3. Sequence the coral’s DNA. Results are typically available after a few days.
4. Compare the sequence with a reference database.
5. Use the result to check claims about species and origin, support certificates, and help authorities investigate suspected illegal trade.

The approach could help distinguish protected CITES-listed species from unlisted ones, including species that look similar. Researchers say it may eventually be adapted to live corals and used to examine confiscated imports.

Trade rules and possible responses

CITES regulates international trade in listed wildlife through permits and certificates. Permits are intended to establish that harvesting is legal and does not threaten a species’ survival, but falsified documents and identification difficulties can undermine enforcement. The video notes that CITES protection depends on decisions by participating countries. It also describes a treaty provision asking countries to assess whether trade is too high for a species to sustain its ecological role.

Potential measures discussed include stronger inspections and identification, requiring sellers to provide better evidence of legal sourcing, and stricter regulation of activities in marine protected areas. Trade bans and quotas may help conservation but can also make smuggling more attractive, and their economic effects must be considered.

Coral farming can reduce pressure on wild reefs in some cases: Indonesia reportedly exports more farmed than wild coral. However, farming is not suitable for every species. Red corals are difficult to transplant and grow slowly, making commercial-scale farming challenging. Other approaches include reducing ocean warming and using 3D-printed terracotta structures to provide habitat for marine life in areas where coral shelter has been lost.

Researchers and sources featured

• Bertalan Lendvay — Scientist working on DNA identification of corals at the University of Zurich.
• Bert Hoeksema — Marine biologist in the Netherlands studying coral reef conservation and the live-coral aquarium trade.
• Alessandro Cau — Marine biologist who has consulted for the UN on Mediterranean red corals.
• Erica Lyman — US professor specializing in international environmental law, with a focus on CITES.
• CITES — The international treaty and trade-permit system for protected wildlife species.