The coral fishery has taken steps towards greater sustainability, using new technologies to reduce its environmental impact. This is according to a report presented by the University of Naples and the Torre del Greco coral processing centre in Italy.
The report, prepared in November 2024, will be presented at the 2025 congress of CIBJO, the World Jewellery Confederation. It will also be incorporated into the CIBJO Coral Guide, which sets standards for the coral jewellery trade.
«The sector of fishing and processing of valuable corals, especially red corals, has shown a remarkable capacity. That is to evolve towards more and more sustainable practices. As it combines the protection of marine ecosystems with the socio-economic development of coastal communities.» This is stated in the report entitled “Report on the sustainability of the coral fishing and processing sector”.
«The integration of new technologies has played a key role in this process. It reduces the environmental impact and ensures that the collection activity is selective and less invasive.».
This transition to a more sustainable approach is not limited to the environmental dimension. But it extends even to the social and cultural dimension, the report says.
Coral harvesting and processing practices, rooted in millennia-old traditions, continue to thrive in local communities, preserving the so-called «material culture». This concept refers to the intangible heritage associated with the art of coral processing. A skill that is passed down from generation to generation. And it also contributes not only to the local economy, but also to the cultural identity of entire communities.
The social sustainability of the sector is highlighted by the strong positive impact it has on the economic fabric of coastal regions, creating stable jobs and even contributing to local economic growth, the report says.
The indirect activities generated by the coral sector, from fishing to handicrafts, support thousands of families. But they also keep alive centuries-old traditions that enrich the cultural heritage of the regions involved.
The industry's commitment to training new generations of craftsmen through skills transfer programmes further strengthens this link between innovation, sustainability and tradition.
Asked to comment on the report, Mr. Kenneth Scarratt, President of CIBJO's Sector A, said «This excellently written report, originally included on pages 5-9 of the Coral Commission's Special Report 2024, helps us understand and appreciate the promise of sustainability for precious corals, and every effort will be made to include the important content in a new draft of the CIBJO Precious Coral Guide for adoption in the near future.».
Source: jewelleryoutlook.com
