Loading ...It is comforting to know that there are agencies all over the world who care for endangered species and do everything in their power to protect them. It is also comforting to know that they hunt down people who try to smuggle restricted species into the ports of import. Such as this story out of Portland.
The Environment news Service reported on Jan 14th that a German coral importer out of Portland, Oregon was sentenced to serve three years on probation and pay a criminal penalty of over $35,000 for smuggling more than 40 tons of coral. Did you hear that smugglers, the good guys win again.
I just wished that they can incorporate a 1 year prison sentence into the verdict. It would serve him good, and detract others.
For more on the story, follow the link here.
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Trained by the thirteenth ring master of the Sian Xiuang Coral Temple. Currently is apprenticing the art of Acropora shaping in the ancient tradition of Ninja Fragging. Known as the SPS hero!
Any local stories?? past or present?? Canadian for that matter.. Do we hunt them down?? I agree, jail time should not be ruled out. Less than $1. fine for every tonne seems low IMO.
If this is the case that I think it is, the coral was dead and intended to be used as reactor media — much of the problem came from the individual pieces being too large. Apparently, for this kind of export the fragments have to be smaller than a certain size or they become “coral” and subject to export restrictions.
Not that all this makes the guy innocent… it sounds like he knew what was going on… or that maybe he copped a plea.
Hmm, at 40 tonnes of dead coral? I think he is trying to cover something up if he is using that aliby.
Remember USFW is not very detail in releasing such information. 40 tons is probably dry live rock (still require CITIES). Nobody is stupid to smuggle 40 tons corals
We do know how it looks like for a 500 kg shipment LOL