Coral reef gastropods - a sustainable resource?

Abstract

Large, colourful coral reef gastropods including the Giant Triton Charonia tritonis,helmet shells (Cassidae), cowries (Cypraeidae) and volutes (Volutidae) are exploited in an unregulated and unsustainable way throughout much of the Indo-Pacific region. The consequences for their populations, for the populations of their prey or for the ecology of their habitats are rarely considered. Serious decline in stocks of edible coral reef molluscs through unregulated harvesting demonstrates the need for controls on the collection and trade of commercially important species. Continued, unrestricted collecting will eventually lead to the local extinction of vulnerable species on substantial numbers of reefs. Research on the biology and ecology of ornamental species is urgently needed to facilitate the implementation of appropriate management strategies for long-term utilization. A co-operative effort to monitor and regulate trade will also contribute toward the maintenance of sustainable gastropod populations on coral reefs.