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An illegal trade in live coral is being investigated by UK Customs officers after a steep rise in protected species being smuggled into the country. Hundreds of corals covered by international conservation laws have been intercepted at airports en route to aquarium shops.
Demand is being driven by the fashion for “reef aquariums” and owners eager to have the rarest and most colourful specimens, even if they are endangered species. Details of the largest live-coral consignment discovered in the UK have been revealed by Customs officers. The 350 corals and clams were discovered at Manchester airport but the seizure was kept secret while investigations were carried out. The corals had been plundered from Indonesia’s reefs and taken to Malaysia before being flown to Britain. Customs discovered that the consignment was destined for a wholesaler and then for shops in Manchester, Cheshire, the West Midlands, Northamptonshire, Yorkshire and Scotland. Customs officers estimated that the haul would have fetched £50,000. The corals have now been given to London Zoo. |
