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Agence France-Presse

Japan on Wednesday launched a study into whether precious coral was being illegally poached by Chinese fishermen off its shores to be sold for use in jewellery.
The Fisheries Agency investigation will use an underwater camera to check the condition of the coral off the southern island of Kyushu.
It also aims to find evidence such as traces of fishing nets possibly used for poaching precious coral, an official said.
Precious coral, a species of coral which is usually red, pink or white in colour, and takes years to grow, is popular in parts of Asia for use in ornaments and for jewellery.
In 2014, the Japan Coast Guard reported a surge in the number of Chinese boats fishing for coral in Japanese territorial waters, prompting a similar study the following year near the southern Ogasawara islands and Okinawa.

Authorities now fear the alleged poachers may have shifted to the Kyushu coast.
“We no longer see many Chinese poachers like we used to near the Ogasawara islands, but we’re carrying out the study as we have still spotted some ships” near Kyushu, the official told AFP.
The study will take place off the western coast of the southern island of Kyushu until September 4.
To counter coral poaching, the government in 2014 revised laws on illegal fishing in the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and tripled the maximum fines to 30 million yen (US$270,000).
Last month, Japan arrested a Chinese skipper off Nagasaki prefecture for allegedly violating the fisheries law after precious coral was found his ship, according to the agency.


Japan launches study into illegal ‘Chinese coral poaching’

A diver examines bleaching on a coral reef on Orpheus Island. Photo: AFP

Crew members and Japan Coast Guard officials (wearing helmets) are seen on a Chinese fishing boat at Nagasaki port in Nagasaki, southwestern Japan, in this photo taken by Kyodo November 7, 2011. Japan's coastguard arrested the captain of the Chinese fishing boat on Sunday for refusing inspection in Japanese territorial waters, in the latest clash between two countries involved in a protracted maritime territorial dispute. REUTERS/Kyodo (JAPAN - Tags: POLITICS) FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. IT IS DISTRIBUTED, EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS. MANDATORY CREDIT. JAPAN OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN JAPAN. YES

Volcanic island in Japan may hold key to saving coral

Scientists prepare to go on a dive near Shikinejima island. Photo: AFP

In this picture taken on March 29, 2017, scientists get into small boats as they prepare to go on a dive from the 120-tonne French schooner Tara near Shikinejima island, 150 kilometres south of central Tokyo. The key to the survival of the world's threatened coral reefs may lie in the waters surrounding a small volcanic island off the coast of Japan, scientists say. / AFP PHOTO / TORU YAMANAKA / To go with Japan-Environment-Oceans-Coral-Conservation-Research, Focus by Ursula HYZY

This handout from Pete West at Bioquest Studios via Tara Expeditions Foundation taken on March 28, 2017 and released on March 29, 2017 shows a scientist measuring coral reefs in the seabed beside the 120-tonne French schooner Tara at anchor off Shikinejima island, 150 kms south of central Tokyo. The key to the survival of the world's threatened coral reefs may lie in the waters surrounding a small volcanic island off the coast of Japan, scientists say. / AFP PHOTO / TARA EXPEDITIONS FOUNDATION AND BIOQUEST STUDIOS / Pete WEST / To go with Japan-Environment-Oceans-Coral-Conservation-Research, Focus by Ursula HYZY RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO /PETE WEST - BIOQUEST STUDIOS / TARA EXPEDITIONS FOUNDATION" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS - NO ARCHIVES /

This handout from Pete West at Bioquest Studios via Tara Expeditions Foundation taken on March 28, 2017 and released on March 29, 2017 shows a scientist trying to collect microbes from the sea beside the 120-tonne French schooner Tara at anchor off Shikinejima island, 150 kilometres south of central Tokyo. The key to the survival of the world's threatened coral reefs may lie in the waters surrounding a small volcanic island off the coast of Japan, scientists say. / AFP PHOTO / TARA EXPEDITIONS FOUNDATION AND BIOQUEST STUDIOS / Pete WEST / To go with Japan-Environment-Oceans-Coral-Conservation-Research, Focus by Ursula HYZY RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO /PETE WEST - BIOQUEST STUDIOS / TARA EXPEDITIONS FOUNDATION" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS - NO ARCHIVES /

This picture taken on March 28, 2017 shows the 120-tonne French schooner Tara anchored off Shikinejima island, 150 kilometres south of central Tokyo. The key to the survival of the world's threatened coral reefs may lie in the waters surrounding a small volcanic island off the coast of Japan, scientists say. / AFP PHOTO / TORU YAMANAKA / To go with Japan-Environment-Oceans-Coral-Conservation-Research, Focus by Ursula HYZY

In this picture taken on March 29, 2017, French scientist Sylain Agostini checks seawater on the deck of the 120-tonne French schooner Tara near Shikinejima island, 150 kilometres south of central Tokyo. The key to the survival of the world's threatened coral reefs may lie in the waters surrounding a small volcanic island off the coast of Japan, scientists say. / AFP PHOTO / TORU YAMANAKA / To go with Japan-Environment-Oceans-Coral-Conservation-Research, Focus by Ursula HYZY

In this picture taken on March 28, 2017, scientists prepare to go on a dive after launching their small boat from the 120-tonne French schooner Tara near Shikinejima island, 150 kilometres south of central Tokyo. The key to the survival of the world's threatened coral reefs may lie in the waters surrounding a small volcanic island off the coast of Japan, scientists say. / AFP PHOTO / TORU YAMANAKA / To go with Japan-Environment-Oceans-Coral-Conservation-Research, Focus by Ursula HYZY

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