BajaNomad - Black Coral from The Sea of Cortez

Black Coral from The Sea of Cortez

Skeet/Loreto - 10-13-2010 at 08:14 AM

Please bear with me Doug.

in the Early 70"s I was living at San Nicholas Baja Sur and became friends with a little Oacca Indian we all called Paul Strong.

He became attached to me and on his days working with Chico's Panga he would take a couple of Large Rocks out with him and dive to 105 Feet ,break off a piece of Black Coral bring it back and give to me.

I have about 5 lb,s of Raw Black Coral if anyone is interested please u2u me. In its finished form it is worth a lot of money. I would like to see someone with and Interest get it.

Thanks for your Time.

Skeet.Loreto

David K - 10-13-2010 at 09:11 AM

Black coral
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Black coral

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Cnidaria

Class: Anthozoa

Subclass: Ceriantipatharia

Order: Antipatharia
Milne-Edwards & Haime, 1857
Family: Antipathidae

Genera
Antipathes
Aphanipathes
Bathypathes
Cirripathes
Leiopathes
Parantipathes
Stichopathes
Taxipathes

Black corals (Antipatharia) are a group of deep water, tree-like corals related to sea anemones which normally occur in the tropics although they are also found in shallow water non-tropical areas such as Milford Sound in New Zealand where they can be seen in an underwater observatory. There are about 230 known species of Antipatharians in 42 genera[1].

Though black coral's living tissue is brilliantly colored, it takes its name from the distinctive black or dark brown color of its skeleton. Also unique to black coral are the tiny spines that cover the surface of the skeleton, the origin of the nickname little thorn coral. In the Hawaiian language, black coral is called ‘ēkaha kū moana and is the official state gem of Hawaii. Black coral is listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

Lifespan
In March 2009, scientists released the results of their research on deep-sea (depths of ~300 to 3,000 m) corals throughout the world. They discovered a subdivision of Black Coral, A. Leiopathes sp. specimens, to be among the oldest continuously living organisms on the planet; around 4,265 years old. They show that the "radial growth rates are as low as 4 to 35 micrometers per year and that individual colony longevities are on the order of thousands of years".[2][3]

DENNIS - 10-13-2010 at 09:20 AM

I'll bet PETA has a Black Coral division. What would one do with the stuff? If you make jewelry out of it, you won't be able to wear it in public. People will spit on you.
----------------------------

"In Mexico, many of the commercial divers justify their harvest by saying that there are vast beds deeper down. The current research doesn't support this statement. It has found few beds with marginal health. In addition, different depths provide different ecosystems. Harvesting shallow coral overwhelmingly affects a specific habitat. While black coral tends to be a deeper living coral, it is still an important part of the reef eco-system.

One of the best ways to preserve black coral is to remove the demand for it. Buying black coral is like buying poached ivory- it comes at a devastating price to the environment. Being aware of the origins of any thing can require some effort, but the effort could be saving a valuable natural wonder. Jewelry is a wonderful gift, a lovely thing to wear, but it can come from resources that are less threatened then black coral."

Skeet/Loreto - 10-13-2010 at 10:07 AM

Thanks Dennis; Very good Information.
Dennis do you realize that the little Indian that took a large rock and jumped into the Water and rode it down 100 Feet did not have any Idea of PETA??
As well in 1970 I do not remember those NUTS being around.
Can you just imagine how the Weak Mind of one of those Nuts actually beleives that the taking of 5 lbs of Black Coral from the Sea Of Cortez will affect the future of this Planet??

He also gave me his "Spirit" which was the Brain Bone of an Osprey wrapped in a small leather bag that he had made to carry it on his Person.

Dennis at one time down on the road from San Jose to Cabo there was a small Hut containing 3 to 4 Women polishing Black Coral that was made into Jewelry for Sale in La Paz.

Just think of the many FOOLS who donate their money for some of those Nutty Programs. Here in Amarillo they put up an Ad on a Bilboard that used Sex to draw attention aganist the Beef Industry. It only lasted about a Month and it is reported they were given 15 days to remove it or be Shot!!

Now they are in a small town up North rasing Heck with those Peoples lives that are in the Hog Business. One of theses days they will find a couple of them Dead in the Bushes.

I do appreciate your Information about Black Coral even though it is Twisted with the PERTA Garbage.

Dennis the last Paragraph of your Posts just ruins the previous Words.

Those words are typical Spam Scum that is put out by those Nuts. The Words are designed to encite a Fear when there is no FEAR of any thing to do with me selling 5 Lbs. Of Black Coral given to me 40 years ago.

Comon Dennis I thought you had better Sense!

Skeet/Loreto

Iflyfish - 10-13-2010 at 10:18 AM

Skeet,

It is kind of you to offer this to Nomads, great story behing it. It would be too bad to have it cut up. Have you considered donating it to a local natural history museum or geology department of a University?

You have lived a long and very interesting life and no doubt have many things that a local museum might be intererested in. I have things from my travels around Mexico that I have now seen in Museums. I plan to one day make such donations.

Iflyfish

Natalie Ann - 10-13-2010 at 10:31 AM

I have a beautiful pair of Mexican black coral earrings given to me many years back. I love wearing them.

Skeet's hunk of coral is already out of the Sea. No harm will be done by the sale or donation of it now, although I do think it should be kept in its natural form.

Although I'd very much love to have Skeet's coral, I think FlyFish has a great idea about donating it to a natural history museum. Waddaya think about that idea, Skeet?

nena

[Edited on 10-13-2010 by Natalie Ann]

DENNIS - 10-13-2010 at 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Skeet/Loreto
He also gave me his "Spirit" which was the Brain Bone of an Osprey wrapped in a small leather bag that he had made to carry it on his Person.

Why would he give away his Spirit? Didn't he need it anymore?

bajaguy - 10-13-2010 at 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Skeet/Loreto

He also gave me his "Spirit" which was the Brain Bone of an Osprey wrapped in a small leather bag that he had made to carry it on his Person. Skeet/Loreto

Maybe give it to Nomad Osprey?????

DENNIS - 10-13-2010 at 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy

Maybe give it to Nomad Osprey?????

I wonder if Osprey would will me his skull so I can wear it in a leather pouch around my neck? He could by my spirit. :light:

Museum of Anthropology and Natural History, La Paz, BCS

Mulegena - 10-13-2010 at 10:44 AM

Quote:

Skeet's hunk of coral is already out of the Sea. No harm will be done by the sale or donation of it now, although I do think it should be kept in its natural form.

... I think FlyFish has a great idea about donating it to a natural history museum....

Learn about the history of Baja California at this museum, featuring informational displays and dioramas of the different periods in the region...

Attraction type: History museum, Natural history museum
Address: Ignacio Altamirano and Cinco de Mayo La Paz
Mexico
Tel: 122-0162
Fax: 122-0162

Skeet/Loreto - 10-13-2010 at 10:55 AM

Mulegena: Thanks for the info, That is a great Museum.

Would be great if I could Donote it and get them to give $500 to the Warm Jackets for Cold Kids at Constitution.

Nena. What would you do with it if you had it?? It is in its Natural Form, various size of Limbs.

Skeet

Natalie Ann - 10-13-2010 at 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Skeet/Loreto
Nena. What would you do with it if you had it?? It is in its Natural Form, various size of Limbs.

Skeet

If I had it, Skeet, I'd lay it out on my Sea of Cortez altar for all who pass it to see and enjoy. Kinda like a mini-museum with me as curator. :rolleyes:

And then at some time before my death I'd donate it to an appropriate museum.

Honestly Skeet, the La Paz museum referenced by Mulegena is a great idea - although I'm pretty sure they will not be able to donate $500 to kid's coats. Consider all the kids who will be able to see this beautiful piece of coral from the depths of the Sea, if only you donate it. They will of course want your story to go with it, so all can know the real history.

What a wonderful legacy to leave the country you love, Skeet.

Natalie

Skeet/Loreto - 10-13-2010 at 11:13 AM

O.K Fine!

I am seriousley thinking about donating the Black Coral.

Now can any one suggest where I can do the same thing with The Whale bones that I have??

One large Rib, One large Vertbrae, several smaller rib attachment Bones.

Will appreciate any Help.

Skeet

DENNIS - 10-13-2010 at 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Skeet/Loreto

Now can any one suggest where I can do the same thing with The Whale bones that I have??

One large Rib, One large Vertbrae, several smaller rib attachment Bones.

Arn't there any "One Eyed Tequila" saloons in your neck of the woods? They could use them for decorations. The harm's already been done so you may as well put them to use somewhere.
Trade them for more Spirits. Just don't die and have strangers accusing you of all sorts of atrocities when they find this stuff in your barn.

mcfez - 10-13-2010 at 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Skeet/Loreto
O.K Fine!

I am seriousley thinking about donating the Black Coral.

Now can any one suggest where I can do the same thing with The Whale bones that I have??

One large Rib, One large Vertbrae, several smaller rib attachment Bones.

Will appreciate any Help.

Skeet

Before you go off and donate to some Museum..
Here in California....museums are allowed "to sell any part or whole" of a piece of a collection. My family has Early Native California weaved baskets.....worth a bundle. A friend advise us of some avenues that museums are allowed to do...including selling the baskets! The baskets still sit idol in Mum's hall closet.

I would ask if sell offs are done by mexican museums or whatever else that they are allowed to do..or not do with collections.

[Edited on 10-13-2010 by mcfez]

Osprey - 10-13-2010 at 03:25 PM

I can assure you the spirit of the Indian in Skeet's post is not in my head. I recently got X rayed and they said there was nothing in there.

dtbushpilot - 10-13-2010 at 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Osprey
I can assure you the spirit of the Indian in Skeet's post is not in my head. I recently got X rayed and they said there was nothing in there.

That is readily apparent to those who know you Jorge :lol:

....dt

Skeet/Loreto - 10-13-2010 at 03:46 PM

For those who have an Inquiring Mind>

For the Indians of Mexico there is some great Information from them about their various "Spirits"/ It is fascinating.
PauL Strong was a short little Indian that had come from the Mainlad. He would work as a Helper on Chico;s Panga get Paid and go to Mulege and spen every dime on Beer. One of his friends had an old VW, They would head to Coyote and have a Fiesta until the Beer was gone.

Later he left San Nicholas and the next time I saw him he had been pickup off the Streets of Mulege by "Baja Patty". She had taken him to Her Ranch across the Bay at Coyote(Where she is now Buried}/

She found out that Paul Strong beleived in Spirits and would not let him practice his things at the Ranch.
One day Patty along with Payl Strong showed up in Loreto at Tio Don O'Neils place / Paul Strong caught my eye to go to the back where he told me that Patty did not beleive in Spirits so he wanted me to have "His Spirit" which I took and Cherish to this Day!

He explained that the Opprey is a "Bird of Freedom". That suits me fine.

It will be hard to let that Coral go, but I am 79 years of age and I do not have anyone that will appreciate it as I did.

I know there are special People like Nena out there that love the Sea of Cortez, Baja Sur as I do, I thought maybe someone,maybe a Diver would appreciate it.

Skeet

DENNIS - 10-13-2010 at 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mcfez

I would ask if sell offs are done by mexican museums or whatever else that they are allowed to do..or not do with collections.

Like they, or anybody else here would tell you something you could take to the bank.
Why ask?

Skeet/Loreto - 10-13-2010 at 04:12 PM

dennis:

I do hereby swear that I will not Cheat Wrong or Defaud anyone out of anything on this Board or anywhere else.

Signed

Skeet/Loreto

bajagrouper - 10-16-2010 at 08:09 PM

There is a very nice museo in Bahia de Los Angles that would love it, they have a complete blue whale skeleton out front...

PS it is illegal to bring black coral into the USA...

Mulegena - 10-16-2010 at 08:27 PM

Don't believe Black Coral lives that far north, therefore it wouldn't be representative of marine life from that area.

Skeet/Loreto - 10-17-2010 at 07:25 AM

Baja grouper:
When this Coral was brought into the States there was no Law preventing it at All/. Same with the Whale Bones.

Mulegena: I think you are right about it not being found much further North than Mulege.

Skeet