By: Ruihao Rick Shan

San Jose California- When you think of illegally trafficked animal goods, the first thing that comes to mind is probably exotic animal furs and claws. Now, a different creature is being smuggled into American ports: coral.

Nearly all corals are living organisms. Composed of thousands of small polyps, these corals form large colonies that become the foundation of extensive reefs. In turn, these reefs help filter water and provide shelter for fish and other aquatic life. However, these corals face many dangers. Warming waters and increases in the ocean’s acidity spread coral diseases and cause bleaching events.

When a coral is healthy and untouched, it becomes a target for marine life traffickers. Using hammers and chisels, these traffickers separate the corals from their reefs. Once detached, the corals are placed in bags of seawater and shipped around the globe to collectors in wealthy countries.

The Endangered Species Act lists more than 25 species of coral as threatened or endangered, and therefore are protected by the law. Another 1900 species of coral have their trade restricted by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

When these restricted corals reach America, they are often found sick or dead. This happens because the corals release mucus as a form of protection when stressed but this mucus alters the little amount of water that the coral has. The mucus alters the pH and oxygen levels of the water, which then creates more stress for the animal.

Illegal coral trafficking poses a dual threat: it jeopardizes the survival of vital marine organisms and disrupts the delicate balance of marine ecosystems. To safeguard these underwater treasures for future generations, it is crucial to rigorously enforce existing protections and raise widespread awareness about their importance in maintaining healthy oceans.