I saw this on the AOL news service this morning.  Thought it might be of
interest:

Australia to End Commercial Coral Harvest on Reef Reuters Jun 14 2001 2:40AM
CANBERRA (Reuters) - Australia is to phase out commercial coral harvesting on
the Great Barrier Reef in a bid to protect the world's largest living reef
formation.   While it is prohibited for tourists or private individuals to take coral
from the reef, there are currently 36 operators with licenses to harvest 200
tons of coral a year from 50 authorized areas. Most of the harvested coral
is used in private aquariums.   But Environment Minister Robert Hill said he wanted to outlaw the practice
which allows licensed scuba divers to chip coral away from the reef using
hammers, chisels and metal bars.   "The minister believes this commercial practice is not compatible with the
conservation of the reef for which the Great Barrier Reef is listed under
the World Heritage Convention," a spokeswoman for Hill told Reuters on
Thursday.   Hill said he would discuss a phase out plan with the Great Barrier Reef
Marine Park Authority to try to limit the economic impact of the current
operators. No timetable has been set.   His spokeswoman said last year licensed operators harvested 50 tons of coral
from the reef of which 25 tons was live.   The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest living reef formation
stretching 2,000 km (1,300 miles) north to south along Australia's northeast
coast.   Under current laws anyone caught taking coral from the reef faces a maximum
fine of A$22,000 (US$11,000) and any corporation A$110,000.   The producers of U.S. reality television show "Survivor" issued a public
apology in April after two cast members took coral from the reef as
souvenirs during filming.