A tonne of live coral seized at airport
02nd February 2010
Alice McKeegan
January 27, 2010
More than a tonne of live rock coral, which was being illegally imported into the country has been seized at Manchester Airport.
In one of the largest ever seizures of the endangered species, the coral was discovered in air freight which had been flown more than 7,000 miles from Indonesia.
Officials from the UK Border Agency swooped on a consignment containing scores of rare corals, which are protected under the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species.
They found that the coral had been wrongly labelled and sent without the documentation by the importer, a trader based in Manchester.
The coral is expected to be transferred to the Blue Planet Aquarium at Ellesmere Port today. It will then go on display to visitors while further inquiries are carried out with the Indonesian authorities.
The Border Agency’s Colin Brown said the seizure should serve as a warning to anyone tempted to trade in protected creatures. He added: “The illicit trade in endangered animals is a serious contributory factor to the threat of extinction faced by many endangered species.
“This seizure demonstrates the Agency takes its role in enforcing international agreements and prohibitions designed to protect the natural environment very seriously.
“Anyone tempted to trade in protected creatures and plants should think again and companies need to make sure they have the right paperwork before they import exotic animals.
“I also urge holidaymakers to ensure the souvenirs they buy do not contribute to this problem.”
Criminals caught trying to smuggle endangered species face up to seven years’ jail and an unlimited fine. In 2008-2009, officials seized protected goods, including orchids, turtles, eagles and ivory.
Corals are marine organisms which catch small fish and plankton using stinging cells on their tentacles. Most depend on sunlight and grow in clear and shallow tropical waters.
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1190433_a_tonne_of_live_coral_seized_at_airport
