Duncanopsammia axifuga (Whisker Coral)

Trade in D. axifuga met two selection criteria in 2011: sharp increase and high volume trade in a globally threatened species. EU imports consisted of live, wild-sourced corals imported for commercial purposes directly from Australia (15 469), increasing by 79% between 2010 (when 8583 live corals were imported) and 2011. The Australian population was reviewed for SRG 55, with information provided by Australia for SRG 58. The SRG confirmed a positive opinion for wild specimens from Australia on 02/12/2011.

2010 Summary for Duncanopsammia axifuga (Whisker Coral)

Criteria met:  High volume (globally threatened), sharp increase

Principal trade term to the EU:  live

Principal source:  wild

Top EU importer:  France

Top Trading Partner:  Australia

CITES Appendix:  II

IUCN Status:  Near Threatened

EU-reported imports of wild-sourced, live coral of Duncanopsammia axifuga, all purposes, 2006-2010 (no imports were reported prior to 2006).

EU imports in 2010 comprised wild-sourced coral exported directly from Australia for commercial purposes, including 8,583 live corals and 54 raw corals. No imports of D. axifuga were reported by the EU prior to 2006; since then, imports of live, wild-sourced corals have increased every year, with a 49% increase between 2009 and 2010.

The SRG confirmed a positive opinion for wild specimens from Australia on 02/12/2011.