Biological information on corals may be found on the website for the Fish and Wildlife Commission, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute at:
http://floridamarine.org/features/category_main.asp?id=1340
What species of coral
are prohibited for harvest?
All species of hard or stony coral (Order Scleractinia) and all fire coral (Genus Millepora) are prohibited for harvest in state waters of Florida unless it is pursuant to a research
permit.
What are octocorals?
Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) rule defines octocorals as any erect, non-encrusting species of the
Subclass Octocorallia, except for the common sea fan Gorgonia ventalina and the Venus sea fan Gorgonia flabellum. The two sea fans that are not included in the definition of an octocoral are considered Indigenous Marine Prohibited (IMP) species and all harvest of these species is
prohibited in state waters unless it is pursuant to a research permit. (See Florida Administrative Code Ch. 68B-42.009 on website http://fac.dos.state.fl.us/)
What species are included in the subclass Octocorallia?
The subclass Octocorallia includes
gorgonians, telestaceans, and soft corals.
What species are considered Gorgonians?
The most common gorgonians include sea fingers, candelabrum, sea rods, sea plumes, sea fans (except for the two prohibited species), sea whips, sea sprays, and telestos.
What species are considered soft corals?
True soft corals are very rarely found in Florida. True
soft corals belong to the Family Nephtheidae, which is an Indo-Pacific species not common to the tropical areas of the Atlantic.
Are encrusting species of
coral considered an octocoral or a stony coral?
Most species of true encrusting corals are stony corals and are prohibited for harvest. There are very few species of encrusting corals that are octocorals. It is
advised that you steer clear from harvesting any species of encrusting coral unless you are extremely familiar with your coral taxonomy.
