SEASHELLS AND SEALIFE

Not just shells, but so much more....

Yes, Marine Arts is renowned for our amazing range of seashells. We have small shells for creative artworks, white shells for weddings, exquisite shells for interior décor. However, we add a personal touch by hand-selecting and often do extra treatment to ensure that your shells are of superior appearance and quality. Many shells in our range are abundant, commercial-grade shells that have originally been collected for food or are the by-product of licensed fishing and aquaculture operations such as abalone and scallops.

Prices

Our shells are fairly priced – prices that are proven to work for reselling, but that are also considerate of and fair to those overseas harvesters and licensed selles who consistently supply us with quality shells and for whom the sale of shells is often their sole source of income.

Size and value

Being a natural product, shells may vary considerably in their shape, colour, features, size and appearance. We display the average size range of each of the shells you will receive for a particular price. 

Bulk shells

We stock many varieties of bulk shells in a large range of sizes, shapes and colours, with something to suit every purpose you can imagine.

Shell packs

Marine Arts colour-themed shell packs are packed by us on our premises. They are ready for instant retail display or may be enhanced by the addition of trimmings to suit your style. We also supply a range of attractive pre-packaged shells which are excellent value.

Specimen shells

Although we do not specifically deal in specimen shells, many shells in our range are of specimen quality and grace many collections.

Barnacles

Barnacles are fragile and will often easily break when handled. To reduce this chance of breakage, we reinforce our barnacles with a colour-matched adhesive. We have a large range of sizes and can make any design you wish.

Starfish and sea urchins

We carry a great variety of other sealife. Most popular are our sand dollars and sea urchins, and starfish, natural, bleached or coloured.

Sea fans

These are great to hang on a wall or to enhance your shell display. If required for framing, we can select, trim and prepare them ready to use. Or, better still, we can frame them for you.

MARINE ARTS CORAL

Australian world-class fishery management is your guarantee that our coral is ecologically sustainable.

OUR STORY

As pioneering coral harvesters in Queensland since 1957, we focus exclusively on the sustainable wholesale supply of fast-growing and abundant white coral specimens, harvested from the Great Barrier Reef. We work in close collaboration with senior fishery managers and scientists from Fisheries Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority to ensure that coral harvesting will be a sustainable fishery well into the future.

To achieve this we voluntary commit to a Stewardship Action Plan that is responsive to adverse natural events such as bleaching, cyclones and crown-of-thorns damage. We are also represented in the working group for the Queensland Sustainable Fisheries Strategy 2017-2027, paving the way to ensure a world-class fisheries management system.  

SUSTAINABLE HARVESTING

In 2006, the coral fishery was recognised by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority as the most sustainable fishery on the Great Barrier Reef. In November 2008, the fishery was presented as an example of the world’s best practice in ecologically sustainable fisheries management to the International Expert Workshop on CITES Non-Detriment Findings held in Cancun Mexico.

Over one third of the Great Barrier Reef is protected by Marine Park zoning. We harvest by hand a strictly limited quota of abundant, fast-growing corals from broad reef areas in specific reef zones. Only small numbers of corals of a limited size and premium quality are selected from each site and the majority of the coral is left intact. It is estimated that the Great Barrier Reef accumulates an extra five million tonnes of coral per year. Our annual harvest of coral is an extremely small portion of this annual coral growth and is insignificant when compared with the impacts of natural events such as storms, cyclones and predation by crown-of-thorns starfish. After harvesting, coral will regenerate from the base or larval settlement and growth of a new colony occurs. Controls on harvesting are achieved through robust management regulations. These include strictly limited licenses, quotas, and zones, prior landing reports, detailed logbook reporting, compliance checks, vessel tracking and scientific ecological risk assessments.

CLIMATE CHANGE

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority reports that corals can survive bleaching events and regain their normal healthy colour once conditions improve. However, while the Great Barrier Reef has been extremely resilient in the past, coral reef scientists predict that the increasing incidence and severity of coral bleaching and acidification of the oceans through rising carbon dioxide levels threaten the future of coral reefs worldwide.

To ensure that our harvesting remains responsive to these impacts, we are signatories to a voluntary industry Stewardship Action Plan developed and regularly reviewed in close collaboration with senior fishery managers and coral scientists. The aim of the plan is to develop and document non-regulatory approaches for harvesting coral to world's best practice collection standards, including detailed contingency operational plans for coral bleaching events. In practical terms this includes refraining from the harvest of coral from reef areas that need the opportunity to regenerate after cyclones, flooding, bleaching, crown-o and other adverse impacts.

ORDERING CORAL

Coral photos displayed are examples only and are not the actual pieces currently for sale.

Each piece of coral is unique and is individually priced according to the species, shape, size, quality, colour, appearance and weight. Smaller coral is also available in bulk unsorted quantities, or as selected pieces by weight. If your requested piece is not available, we may supply the best available coral that is similar to your requested size and price.

Colour of corals may vary considerably - from pure white, creamy white to ivory.

For special requests, please identify your preferred species and describe, in as much detail as possible, the size and shape you require. Additional information such as whether the coral is for retail sale, or display on a table or against a wall will assist us to select your coral. Please also provide the approximate size you are seeking, or a comparison to the size of either a piece of fruit, an A4, A3 or A2 page, or in one of the assorted sizes of plates. 

We regret that it is not possible to meet requests for photos of coral pieces.To assist in handling consumer enquiries about the source and sustainability of coral harvesting, please also order our free Information Cards.

PROCEDURE WHEN ACCEPTING DELIVERY

Before signing to accept a delivery, please count the number of cartons received and their condition. Should a carton appear damaged or is roughly handled by the courier, please record this with your signature.

In the event of damage, please advise us immediately at sales@marinearts.com.au with photographs of the coral, damage to the carton, and how the coral was packed. 

Coral is fragile. We wrap extremely well, but once the goods leave our premises, we have no control over how they are handled in transit. We use various couriers that have a good track record of safely delivering coral. Larger quantities are sent by pallet. Breakages during transit are rare, but minor tip damage may occur with some corals. This will not affect the overall appearance or price of the piece of coral. Marine Arts will not be held responsible for such damage.

CARE AND CLEANING

Coral should always be lifted from underneath to avoid breakage. 

Avoid candle wax or smoke coming in contact with coral.

To clean coral, gently hose and dry in strong sunshine. Stronger cleaning can be achieved by soaking overnight in diluted household or swimming pool bleach, then hosing thoroughly.

With such care, good quality coral will remain beautiful for many generations.

WHITE CORAL IN AQUARIUMS

White coral is suitable for use in saltwater aquariums. However, white coral in freshwater tanks will increase the calcium content and the pH level of the water, thus affecting some fish, particularly those that require soft water. Please seek professional advice from your aquarium retailer.

EXPORT REQUIREMENTS FOR CORAL

International trade in coral is regulated under the Australian Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). All export of coral must comply with Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES).

A CITES Export permit is required for all coral that is to be taken or exported overseas. The application requires payment of a fee, the supply of supporting documentation, and may take up to two months to be approved. Additionally, each country has different requirements with many requiring the issue of an import permit and some requiring prior clearance by Australian Customs. Failure to arrange the correct export and imports prior to the coral leaving Australia may result in seizure of the specimens and possible prosecution.

The entry of coral into a country is a decision of that country’s government and beyond the control of Marine Arts and our retail clients.

It is the responsibility of the importer / exporter / traveller to ensure they comply with all applicable legislation and CITES requirements to avoid seizure of the coral by ensuring that the necessary export and import permits and other documentary requirements are arranged prior to shipment. CITES permits cannot be issued retrospectively. Permits must be obtained prior to the coral leaving Australia.

Because of the need to strictly comply with domestic and international legislation, our coral miust be traceable. Therefore, we will not supply coral for re-wholesale; markets, popups or e-commerce.

CITES Personal Baggage Permits

CITES Personal Baggage Permits are available from Marine Arts for clients selling coral to international travellers who wish to take coral in their luggage. We highly recommend this as the simplest way to comply with Australian and international CITES legislation. If your clients require a personal baggage permit, please send photos of the specimen, as well as the name and destination address of the traveller.

A valid Personal Baggage permit must meet the following requirements:

• The coral can only be carried in accompanied luggage. These permits may not be used to post or freight coral.
• Permits cannot be issued retrospectively.
• The species name on the front of the permit must match the coral specimen. Do not substitute.
• Front page – complete the date of issue. Permit is valid for 6 months from this date.
• Back page – complete the exporter's name and address and destination country. The exporter is the person traveling with the coral.
• A permit is only current for six months from the date of purchase, as shown on the front of the permit.
• The coral is for personal purposes only. It must not be for commercial use.
• Each permit is valid for ONE piece or ONE pack of coral only. Multiple pieces or packs require multiple permits. A maximum of four permits per person may be issued.
• These permits are official government documents. As with passports and drivers licenses, photocopies or faxes are not valid.

AUSTRALIAN EXPORT PERMIT FOR CORAL FREIGHTED OR POSTED OVERSEAS

Coral that is to be shipped or freighted overseas requires a different type of CITES Export Permit prior to the coral leaving Australia. An application for an export permit  may be made online to the Department of the Environment and Energy, providing proof of purchase and species detail. In some instances, Marine Arts may be able to assist with the supply of an Australian CITES Export Permit.

INTERNATIONAL IMPORT PERMIT REQUIREMENTS FOR CORAL FREIGHTED OR POSTED OVERSEAS

CITES Import Permits are usually required by countries that are signatories to CITES. It is the purchaser’s responsibility to ensure compliance with the import provisions of the destination country. This information may be obtained by contacting the CITES Management Authority in the destination country https://cites.org/eng/parties/country-profiles/national-authorities