mediterranean red coral as an object of marine ecotourism
TRANSCRIPT
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Mediterranean red coral as an object of marine eco-tourism and cultural heritage with special emphasis on Croatia by Linda Joyce Forristal October 19, 2002 Dubrovnik, Croatia
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What is Mediterranean red coral?
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A Short Biology
n Unlike reef-building corals, which can often be seen from the surface, Med. red coral occurs 10-250 meters deep--divided between shallow-water and deep-dwelling populations.
n Do not heavily depend on sunlight to survive, rather catches food that passes by with its polyps/tentacles.
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A Short Biology
n Occurs in small colonies or single polyps.
n Natural propagation and distribution is limited to how far the larvae can swim—which is 1-10,000 meters.
n Slow growth rate makes re-colonization of over-exploited areas a slow process.
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Coral Harvesting n In Italy, coral fishermen used a rather
crude device called an ignegno to trawl for coral.
n This was dragged across underwater strata—including rock overhangs—in the hopes of some falling into the net.
n This type of collection has been banned in most countries—replaced with sophisticated scuba diving procedures.
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A Brief History
n Taxonomically known as Corallium rubrum.
n Known and used by the Phoenicians, Romans and other cultures that rim the the Mediterranean basin.
n By the 14th century, Barcelona drew fame from worked coral.
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Trade with India n By the 18th century, trade of Med. red
coral to India was at its zenith. n India supplied Europe with diamonds,
and Europe supplied India with red coral.
n At this time, the Italian cities of Livorno, Genoa, and Naples were the center of the coral fishing and industry.
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Torre del Greco
n This small village seven miles south of Naples was the home of the corallini.
n Back on land, Italian craftsmen made coral jewelry and created religious works depicting or incorporating coral.
n In 1989, an est. 4,000 inhabitants made their livelihood from Corallium rubrum.
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Torre del Greco n Site of the Museum of Coral and Cameos—
brainchild of Basilio Liverino. n In 1989, the city hosted one of only two
United Nations’ conferences on red coral. n In 1989, there was a strong push to add
Corallium rubrum to CITES Appendix II. n Since such a designation would have been an
economic death knell, representatives opted to pursue ways to preserve the species through rotating harvests and more research.
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Coral in Croatia
n The harvesting of red coral is primarily done in the waters of the Sibenik archipelago.
n This includes the towns of Zlarin, Obonjian, Kaprije, Zirje, and Krapanj.
n The town of Zlarin has been famed for its coral hunters since the 15th century.
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Ecotourism and coral
n The biology of Mediterranean red coral makes marine eco-tourism in relation to the species almost impossible—if not dangerous for the average tourist/diver.
n Perhaps best achieved by sailing around Zlarin with an experienced guide who knows the history of the area and coral.
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Changing conditions
n In 1992, Croatia reported to the FAO the collection of 3,300 kg of Corallium rubrum, as compared to 1,500 kg in 1999—harvest fell by about 50%.
n A recent article in the Croatian journal Priroda (Nature), reported that most of the red coral sold in Croatia is harvested off the coast of Algeria.
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A red coral museum
n Most visitors to Croatia know nothing of harvesting methods, distribution, and traditional cultural uses of red coral.
n Hence, an interpretative museum devoted to Mediterranean red coral could be designed to lead the tourist/visitor on their own road of discovery.
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Liverino/Smithsonain model
n Croatia’s museum could focus on Mediterranean red coral exclusively, especially Croatian folk customs.
n The museum could include artful displays of red coral, corallini gear, demonstrations of jewelry making, point-of-sale for coral objects, and home base for scientific research.
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Where is the best place? n Zlarin—a small island—has limited modern
accommodations and major infrastructure problems and many inhabitants live at the poverty level.
n Government would have to adopt and help create an integrated approach—including promotion of artisanal cheeses, olive oil, wine, and indigenous handicrafts from Zlarin and the surrounding islands.
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Where is the best place?
n Sibenik is more developed, but still a bit off the beaten path.
n Split—the largest coastal city near Sibenik/Zlarin and active cruise ship port—is the site of Diocletian’s palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Coral museum benefits
n An exciting tourist destination that tells the story of Mediterranean red coral.
n A site for the authentication and sale of red coral truly collected in Croatian waters as opposed to coral collected in sites around the Mediterranean basin—letting the tourist go home with a real Croatian souvenir.
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Coral museum benefits n A place to centralize Croatian scientific efforts
to preserve Corallium rubrum as a viable commercial species, which would stave off efforts to add the species to Appendix II of CITES.
n A place to pursue better knowledge of population dynamics, life-history traits, and genetics—as regards cultivation efforts.
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Issues to address n Since populations show genetic
differentiation, there might be reason to call for regional management of the species, such as Croatia’s Sibenik archipelago.
n Work toward a common policy of red coral conservation—define harvesting parameters such as min. colony and polyp size, max. yield per area & season that all Med. countries can live with.