Saving

Letters

the coral

Sir,

I WOULD like to correct some inaccuracies in the article ‘Saving the Coral’ ( PIM , May). The author refers to the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) com missioning “...the creation of guidelines for coral exploitation”, that the guidelines had been completed but they were not being released by SPREP, and that the document was “creating difficulties for member countries”.

The document referred to is the recently completed ‘Environmental Guidelines for Coral Harvesting Operations’ (36 pages long, not 12 as mentioned). The purpose of the guidelines is to provide SPREP Pacific island member countries with the information necessary to assess coral harvesting proposals. If countries decide to allow harvesting, it provides guidelines for evaluating and managing the coral harvesting operations. SPREP’s position, however, is clearly stated in the

booklet. “Overall, it is strongly recommended that coral

harvesting not be allowed (page 22).

When your magazine contacted SPREP it was told that the document was in draft form, being layed out for printing. The reason for not releasing the guidelines at that stage were the same as why PIM does not release its magazine in draft format.

SPREP has a policy of assessing all reports internally before they are released to ensure that information and recommen dations in them are sound. The guidelines have now been printed and are freely available from SPREP.

The statement that the guidelines are creating difficulties for our member countries is news to us. No member country has contacted SPREP with any such comments. In fact, the guidelines were developed in response to member countries' requests to more information on how to assess coral harvesting proposals. I trust that this clarifies any concerns of your readers about SPREP’s position on coral harvesting.

Dr Vili A. Fuavao,

Director, SPREP