Comment from Peter Mark

Listing the species as endangered and threatened will prevent marine aquarists from legally owning, maintaining and trading many types of coral. While there are any many factors leading to the decline of reef populations, the commercial impact is rather small compared to that of environmental threats. By allowing hobbyists to own, maintain and trade these species as well as all other coral, there exists a chance that in the event wild populations are decimated, cultured populations may be reintroduced. An example of this would be the reintroduction of Elkhorn acropora off the coast of Florida. Individuals who maintain such species at home are able to successfully propagate these corals and share them along with their knowledge with fellow aquarists. Hobbyists are able to educate their friends and family on the plight of reefs, who in turn would try to be more eco-friendly as there is a personal connection to an individual maintaining these delicate animals.