The Global Pet Expo is one of the premier pet and aquarium supply industry shows in the world.  Each year, the expo draws pet industry insiders by the thousands.  Such was the case last month for the annual show in Orlando, Florida.  Gunther Wenzek, owner of CoraPet in Essen, Germany was just one of many who traveled to the United States for the show.   For traders like Gunther Wenzek, this annual show is the place for forging business relationships and setting the stage for the year’s business economics.  Unfortunately for Mr. Wenzek, things didn’t turn out quite as he expected.  Upon arrival at Washington’s Dulles International Airport, Mr. Wenzek was arrested by United States Marshalls and charged with illegal importation of a contraband substance.

In July of 2008, a federal grand jury in Portland, Oregon issued an indictment against Gunther Wenzek for the illegal importation of  living coral, a violation of U.S. law.  According to the indictment, Mr. Wenzek made shipments of substances listed on customs documents as “rock, broken gravel, and coral sand”.  To federal customs agents, the material looked more like live coral rock, so they refused the shipment and returned it to the Philippines.  However, retained samples were tested and it was determined that the rock was actually living coral from the Philippines.  While maintaining complete secrecy, they later interrupted two large shipments totaling 40 tons of living coral.  Evidence was presented to the Portland grand jury that the coral was illegally harvested and a sealed indictment was issued for Wenzek.  Tight control over the details of the sealed indictment allowed officials to investigate Mr. Wenzek’s travel plans and  to surprise him when he arrived in the United States for the annual pet expo.

Living coral is under intense survival pressure due to changing ocean conditions, accidental damage, and unethical collection and resale by individuals like Mr. Wenzek.  “Preventing the further decline of coral reefs is of paramount importance in preserving our marine environment and fisheries,” said John Cruden, acting assistant attorney general for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division.  Concerned nations all over the world are undertaking considerable measures to stop any damage that can be avoided, and eliminating the illicit trade in living coral rock is a paramount part of those efforts.  Andrew Bruckner, a biologist from the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, added that “the removal of dead coral and live rock is of major concern for coral reefs, including those reefs protecting coastal communities from storms.”   “These corals are the fundamental building blocks of the coral reef ecosystem,” he added. “Unsustainable collection of coral frequently results in the loss of important nursery areas, feeding grounds, refuge for fish and invertebrates, and increased erosion of reef systems.”

We will follow further developments in this story and provide updates here at DiveSportsBlog.com.

Phil Ellis

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