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Government Shop Sells Endangered Coral - Minivan News
A Government-owned craft shop is selling jewelry made from an endangered species, despite passing legislation that bans its exploitation.
Black coral could become extinct unless trade is strictly regulated, according to Appendix II of the International Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES.) And its’ exploitation is banned under Maldives legislation passed in January 1995.
But it is being sold at the Government’s National Handicraft Centre, which was recently opened by President Gayoom in the State Trade Organisation (STO) centre.
Under Maldives law black coral cannot be imported, exported or collected from the sea. But it can be sold in shops.
Shop Manager Ahmed Siraj said the stock, which was supplied by local traders, had been taken from the sea before the law was passed. But he admitted there was no way of checking this was definitely the case.
Minister of Fisheries Dr Abdullah Naseer told Minivan News the matter would be “investigated properly.”
“The Maldives depends on its’ environment,” he added. “A lot of effort has gone into preserving our environment and that is how we keep it in good health.”
Authentic black coral jewelry is also available in many of Males’ other tourist shops that we visited.
Mohamed Latheef, manager of ‘Typical,’ said locals had given him the jewelry six months ago. He had no way of knowing when they had taken the coral from the sea, he added.
“But I’ll continue to sell it,” he said. “It’s popular and sells for a good price. We don’t have many resources, so we have to use what we can.”
Manager Kokko of ‘Gloria Marris’ said he didn’t feel guilty about selling an endangered species.
“It’s not such a big deal selling something that is like a plant,” he said. “It would be different if I was selling a turtle shell. That would be bad.”
But Azim Mustag, of local NGO and dive centre Maldivers, said it was a sad situation.
He said: “Exploiting an endangered species that can’t run away is an easy way to make money.
Black coral could become extinct unless trade is strictly regulated, according to Appendix II of the International Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES.) And its’ exploitation is banned under Maldives legislation passed in January 1995.
But it is being sold at the Government’s National Handicraft Centre, which was recently opened by President Gayoom in the State Trade Organisation (STO) centre.
Under Maldives law black coral cannot be imported, exported or collected from the sea. But it can be sold in shops.
Shop Manager Ahmed Siraj said the stock, which was supplied by local traders, had been taken from the sea before the law was passed. But he admitted there was no way of checking this was definitely the case.
Minister of Fisheries Dr Abdullah Naseer told Minivan News the matter would be “investigated properly.”
“The Maldives depends on its’ environment,” he added. “A lot of effort has gone into preserving our environment and that is how we keep it in good health.”
Authentic black coral jewelry is also available in many of Males’ other tourist shops that we visited.
Mohamed Latheef, manager of ‘Typical,’ said locals had given him the jewelry six months ago. He had no way of knowing when they had taken the coral from the sea, he added.
“But I’ll continue to sell it,” he said. “It’s popular and sells for a good price. We don’t have many resources, so we have to use what we can.”
Manager Kokko of ‘Gloria Marris’ said he didn’t feel guilty about selling an endangered species.
“It’s not such a big deal selling something that is like a plant,” he said. “It would be different if I was selling a turtle shell. That would be bad.”
But Azim Mustag, of local NGO and dive centre Maldivers, said it was a sad situation.
He said: “Exploiting an endangered species that can’t run away is an easy way to make money.
Posted by Posted by Jewelry News at Monday, September 17, 2007 1:50 PM 
Categories: Maldives, Black Coral Jewelry, Coral Jewelry, International Jewelry News
Categories: Maldives, Black Coral Jewelry, Coral Jewelry, International Jewelry News
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