Hainan bans sale of coral reef, giant clam

[TaiShang]

Hainan bans sale of coral reef, giant clam
Xinhua, January 18, 2017

The southern Chinese island province of Hainan has banned the processing and sale of coral and giant clam in a bid to protect the marine ecosystem.

A regulation on the species' protection came into effect this month in Hainan.

Hainan Provincial Department for Industry and Commerce said Tuesday that 160 processors and 829 sellers in the province have withdrawn from the business.

Local industry and commerce authorities have begun to inspect various markets across the province.

"We have requested e-commerce sites like Taobao to remove giant clam sellers," said Feng Xuri, an official with Qionghai municipal department for industry and commerce.

Feng said he hoped that online marketplaces could help stop the sale of giant clam, shell turtle, red coral and conch.

Li Shibing, an official with Tanmen industrial zone in Qionghai, said all processors in the zone have been shut down.

The provincial department for industry and commerce said it would continue to launch regular market inspections to make sure the business is fully stopped.

 

[+4vsgorillas-Apebane]

Should have done this many years ago. The reefs + good ecosystem will bring in good money via tourism packages such as reef diving and nuclear submarine watching.

There should be a nation wide ban on eating turtles, in times of plenty why eat turtles?

 

[scherz]

I was once in Hainan. Were i dived i saw lots of coral reefs and beautiful, clean eco system. It would be sad if it gets destroyed. My beach was on a small island near Hainan and the "sand" was made of crushed corals .