Coral Farming and Commerce
This is the key – you are FARMING corals. Once you have an Agriculture License to FARM corals, you can legally sell, ship, and deliver your corals as either a retailer or wholesaler. Coral polyps live symbiotically with algae using photosynthesis for energy. Corals also eat zooplankton.
Coral farms generate revenue from sales to wholesalers, retailers, and clients. Prices vary by species. It’s easier and faster to propagate some corals, which are less valuable due to a higher turnover rate, while other prized corals can fetch extraordinary prices. Average retail prices are in the $30 to $50 range, with some selling for hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Wholesale prices are considerably less.
The Impact of Coral Reefs
GBR tourism employs 64,000 people full-time equivalent and contributes $5.2 billion annually to the Australian economy.
Corals support jobs, tourism, and fisheries worth $375 billion each year.
Legal Aspects and Environmental Considerations
Is it legal to buy and sell coral?
Yes, selling coral is legal in the US. Beginner corals cost around $40. Packs for experts average $180, and exotic specimens can cost over $300.
Do not remove dead coral pieces from the beach as souvenirs. In many locations, taking coral is strictly prohibited and can result in hefty fines.
Coral can reproduce both sexually and asexually. In asexual reproduction, new clonal polyps bud off from parent polyps to expand or begin new colonies.
Red coral’s current value is about $1,000+ per gram, depending on the quality.
Online Marketplaces and Coral Nurseries
Welcome to Reef2Reef! Use the marketplace found on the site, where you can find many different people selling coral or find sponsors that have websites where you can purchase coral.
A coral nursery is a set of structures placed in carefully selected areas of the reef where coral fragments can be grown, cleaned, and monitored by marine biologists, researchers, and scientists.
Top 5 Fastest-Growing Soft Corals:
- Green Star Polyps
Captive-bred corals sold by a farm are the most environmentally friendly option. To grow coral for profit, it’s essential to have at least one suitable tank for breeding and to conduct thorough research on fragging techniques, water parameters, feeding needs, and growth control.
Coral Sales and Sustainability
How do coral farmers make money?
Coral farms sell individual pieces to wholesalers, retailers, and consumers. A single polyp can reach the size of a dime.
Is coral growth a viable investment?
Corals grow from 0.3 to 10 cm yearly, meaning a reef can take from 10,000 to 30 million years to fully form. High-quality red coral is worth over $1,000 per gram.
Can you make money off coral?
Yes, thorough research and appropriate equipment are vital for successfully propagating corals for profit.
Remember, the best way to protect coral is to buy recycled products and avoid taking anything from the ocean, alive or dead, as dead coral helps in making sand.