Australia harvests coral, fueling global aquarium trade

Coral harvesting from Australia's Great Barrier Reef continues, with pieces of coral selling for as little as $30, despite growing concerns about the reef's health and sustainability. This practice fuels the global aquarium trade. The Australian government permits coral harvesting, but environmentalists and scientists are raising alarms due to the reef's declining condition, including bleaching events. The industry faces scrutiny, with some calling for bans and others advocating for more data to prove sustainability. While the industry argues it has minimal impact, the practice is under pressure from the EU and UK, and faces legal challenges. The future of the industry may depend on aquaculture, but the transition is proving difficult.