Traceability is the ability to access information on specimens and events in a CITES species supply chain. Several drivers make traceability a requirement for coral.
Why traceability is required
International trade in species listed in the CITES Appendices must meet three conditions: legality, sustainability and traceability.
As a party to the Convention, Australia must put measures in place to enforce it. Formal traceability systems are becoming more common, particularly for species where there are concerns about sustainability, illegal trade or social licence.
Australia can also enact stricter domestic measures under CITES. This is the case for how captive breeding programs are treated under the EPBC Regulations, when it comes to closed systems and introduction from the wild.
A legislative pathway for 'F' code coral has not yet been enacted in the Regulations. A traceability system that can track, trace and distinguish F-code coral from other forms will help enable this, and is a priority to progress alongside the solution.
The World Heritage Committee has indicated concerns about the Queensland coral harvest fishery. While this has not enacted any requirements, it led the Australian Government to fund sustainable-fishery initiatives for the Great Barrier Reef, which include the Coral Traceability Solution.
For which coral is in scope, see Which coral specimens are in scope? For the full update, see the Coral Traceability Solution Scope Update.