HONOLULU, Hawaii (20 May 2005) -- Maui Divers Jewelry Co. is fighting to defeat a proposal aimed at protecting Hawaii's black coral. The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council will meet on May 31 in Honolulu to consider a recommendation from an advisory group to impose a five-year ban on the harvest of black coral. | | Despite previous studies showing that invasive species and overharvesting have depleted Hawaii's black coral beds, Bob Taylor, president of Maui Divers, says the ban is unnecessary. Black coral is Hawaii's state gem and is used to make jewelry. © CDNN - CYBER DIVER NEWS NETWORK |
