A Jewel Worth Preserving - Alive

Red and pink coral – a jewel that comes from reefs and atolls – is the most valuable of all precious corals. It has been harvested for more than 5,000 years and used for jewellery and other decorative items.

You may think of coral as a plant, but it's actually a tiny marine animal. Corals build vast colonies in tropical and sub-tropical oceans around the world. The reefs and colonies that result from coral colonies create extremely valuable habitats for many other marine species.

Products made from red and pink coral command high prices and near-global demand. Unfortunately, overharvesting and the destruction of entire coral colonies by bottom trawls and dredges have led to dramatic population declines. This is compounded by the fact that coral reproduce and grow very slowly, and take a long time to mature.

Already, coral colonies off parts of the Italian, French and Spanish coasts have vanished due to over-harvesting. In the Western Pacific, coral colonies have been wiped out within just five years of their discovery. There are limited international trade controls in place, and no consistent management plans.

But when you Help Prevent a Coral Catastrophe, for only $50, you will help WWF-Canada get red and pink corals listed in CITES so that trade in the species is controlled and its survival is ensured. You will also help support our efforts to assist governments by developing an identification guide for these precious corals. This guide will help governments and scientists administer and enforce agreements regarding harvesting, trade, management and conservation of red and pink coral.

With your gift, you will help preserve this precious jewel of the sea for another 5,000 years!