Black corals (order Antipatharia) and thorny corals (family Acroporidae and related groups) are not fish but are instead slow-growing, deep-sea corals prized for their use in jewelry, ornaments, and, in some cultures, traditional medicine. These corals are primarily harvested in countries with access to tropical and subtropical deep-sea environments, notably Indonesia, Taiwan, the Philippines, and some Pacific Island nations. Indonesia is the world's leading exporter of black coral, with artisanal and small-scale fisheries targeting these species, despite international regulations under CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) that restrict their trade due to concerns about overexploitation. Taiwan and the Philippines also have long histories of black coral harvesting, often for local jewelry markets. The fishing industry for these corals is typically small-scale but can have significant ecological impacts due to the slow growth and vulnerability of these species, prompting increasing calls for sustainable management and protection.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.