Queensland coral will now be tracked all the way from aquaculture facilities to export for the first time, thanks to a new world-first online traceability program.
From tomorrow, the Australian Wildlife Traceability System (AWTS) will support wildlife trade verification and a growing coral aquaculture industry.
The innovative $3.5 million system will provide a secure digital platform to tag and trace captive bred and fragmented coral specimens and provide supply chain transparency. The AWTS will be able to monitor where coral has come from and spot the difference between wild and cultured coral specimens.
Used by regulators and industry, the system will increase trust, support compliance and close off avenues for illegal, unreported and unregulated trade.
Businesses with EPBC Act approvals for captive breeding and coral fragmentation (currently located at Cairns, Bundaberg and Yeppoon) will be required to track and report coral trade through the system, in accordance with their approvals and permits. The system also has potential for broader application nationally.
The world-first application of the AWTS for coral traceability will:
- support transparency and increased oversight of coral trade
- track and trace specimens through the supply chain
- provide confidence and assurance to domestic and international markets
- support compliance with Australian and international trade requirements.
The AWTS was co-designed with industry, government partners, scientists and developed by Australian technology company OriginsNext.
It will also be used by the Australian Institute of Marine Science to tag and trace corals spawned and returned to the Great Barrier Reef as part of the Australian Government’s Pilot Deployments Program, funded by the Reef Trust.
Minister for the Environment and Water Murray Watt said Australia is a proud global leader in wildlife traceability assurance and is committed to ensuring coral trade is legal, sustainable, and traceable.
“Across all products, international markets are increasingly wanting to know where their goods are coming from, and that they’re ethically and sustainably grown,” Minister Watt said.
“Captive grown coral is an expanding business opportunity and we want to ensure Australia’s reputation for sustainable aquaculture is protected.
“Australians are very proud of our incredible ocean life, but the illegal harvesting of coral, and misreporting wildlife trade for increased profits undermines what we stand for.
“Increased transparency builds public trust and helps buyers make informed decisions.
“This new system helps close traceability gaps that can be exploited for illegal trade, strengthening confidence in the integrity of Australia’s wildlife products and supporting fair competition for businesses that operate responsibly.”
The AWTS will allow the Australian Government and regulatory partners to identify and take action against illegal activities which threaten Australia’s reefs.
It also complements Australia’s broader commitment to reef protection, sustainable fisheries management, and responsible environmental stewardship.
