Gayatri's presentation was OK. From my perspective, it did not add much new information. But, neither did the other speakers. One girl talked about the MO industry (barrier net collection, how the MO trade is structured, the COC etc, which is related to her MSc Thesis). Most of this information has been available since Steve Robinson wrote his articles in FAMA in the mid 1980's.
The real issues are whether countries like Indonesia and the Philippines will act to enforce laws against destructive fishing (using cyanide and explosives) and to implement measures to estabish MPAs etc. The BCN management plan has some such measures (e.g. MPAs in the Banggai Islands). Cyanide testing was not discussed by the speakers.
There also was some discussion about coral farming. One abstract suggested that the Indonesian government may ban wild harvest of corals and encourage coral farming to support the MO trade and coral reef restoration.
Ferdinand and I pointed out that the MO trade has shifted to reef tanks and that the demand for fish has shifted toward reef-safe fishes (like gobies and blennies). I pointed out the need to deal with better shipping and handling to reduce mortality through the COC (not discussed by the speakers).
I see the possability of more collaboration between various groups concerned about the issues mentioned above.
Peter