How many coral reefs are in the Indian Ocean?
India has about 7517 km of coastline including islands but mainland coast is 6100 km. The Coral reefs in India are mainly restricted to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Gulf of Mannar, Gulf of Kutch, Palk Strait and the Lakshadweep islands. All of these reefs are Fringing reefs, except Lakshadweep which are Atolls.
What is an Indo coral?
For example, Montipora is a common genus of coral from Indonesia. Montipora corals can be recognized from having tiny corallites which are embedded in the surface of the coral. Small flowering polyps are usually always visible and often a different color from the coral’s tissue.
What sealife lives in the Indian Ocean?
The Indian Ocean is home to several unique species of marine life, including sea turtles, sharks, sea snakes, dugongs, and whales.
Where can coral refers be found in India?
In India, major coral reef ecosystems are seen in Gulf of Mannar, Gulf of Kachchh, Andaman & Nicobar, and Lakshadweep Islands, which embrace all the three major reef types (atoll, fringing, and barrier) and include diverse and extensive reef areas of the Indian Ocean (Figure 1).
Is Coral legal in India?
Corals are schedule 1 species under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, meaning corals have the same protection as that of a tiger or a leopard. “The collection of these species, dead or alive, is completely banned under Indian laws. They can neither be exported nor imported.
Is buying coral illegal?
The US: It is illegal to harvest (with the exception of the highly regulated Hawaiian black corals) or to export any corals from the US . The Lacey Act imposes civil and criminal penalties on a federal level for taking, possessing, transporting, or selling corals (and other wildlife) that have been taken illegally.
Which corals are illegal in India?
The amendment act states that below mentioned corals are out of reach and lead to imprisonment, fine or both;
- Reef Building Coral (All Scleractinians)
- Black Coral (All Antipatharians)
- Organ Pipe Coral (Tubipora musica)
- Fire Coral (All Millipora Specias)
- Sea Fan (All Gorgonians)
Is it legal to keep coral?
In the ocean, the rocks protect coastal habitats, and they act as a bio-filter in saltwater aquariums. It is illegal to harvest it in the United States and most of the Caribbean. Harvesting live rock and coral was outlawed because it takes such a long time for the coral reefs to regenerate.
Can I take dead coral from Florida?
Taking live creatures from their habitat on a Florida beach is illegal and can result in hefty fines.
What is the rarest color of coral?
Of all gem corals, Hawaiian Gold Coral was by far the rarest. The color of Hawaiian Gold Coral varied widely and displayed many interesting patterns, unlike Pink and Black Corals.
What is the rarest coral?
Pacific elkhorn coral
How do you tell if coral is real?
Genuine coral is made of calcium carbonate, which will effervesce and dissolve in acid; so choose an inconspicuous part of the questionable coral and use a cotton swab with lemon juice to see if it causes that area to form tiny bubbles. (For those experienced, nitric acid can also be used.)
How can you tell good quality coral?
Magnification Test: Take a magnifying glass and put the Coral gemstone on white cloth under the appropriate lightening conditions. Now observe the Red coral through the glass and if you find granules on the surface of the stone, then it is a fake red coral. But for a real Red Coral, the surface will be even and smooth.
Is white coral valuable?
Color – A flawless, natural, white colored Moonga gemstone is considered more valuable in the market due to its high demand. Shape – Being an organic gemstone, white coral is more prone to damage and can crack from pressure.
Are corals expensive?
Precious coral is not an expensive gemstone and can be found in price ranges to suit all budgets. But if you thought that coral is only used in inexpensive casual jewelry, think again. While the stone itself is not incredibly valuable, you will find expensive coral jewelry on the market on par with the best gemstones.