Coral extraction is one of several factors threatening to undermine the viability of coral reefs in Indonesia. In recent years, this country has become the world's primary supplier of ornamental corals; in 1990 alone, it exported in the vicinity of one million pieces. The USA and Japan accounted for 85% of this trade between 1985 and 1995, mainly of live and dead specimens for the aquarium market. Use of coral in construction has a long tradition in Indonesia. Small-scale collection for use as building blocks is widespread but its effects are not well known. In contrast, large-scale mining of corals for lime production occurs at only a few locations but has resulted in clearly observable impacts on reefs. Although several laws regulate the mining of corals in Indonesia, it is apparent that these are not well enforced. Corals are also sought for making jewellery and anecdotal reports suggest that in many parts of Indonesia the slow-growing, long lived species that are in demand for such items are increasingly rare.

Although sedimentation and destructive fishing methods may pose more risk to Indonesian coral reef ecosystems as a whole, the commercial extraction of corals cannot be overlooked. Proper assessment, monitoring and enforcement of protective measures are necessary to ensure prevention of over-exploitation.