Maria Veitola regretted that there are no instructions on the internet about collecting corals and shells for tourists. However, instructions are easy to find.
IL archive and Emmi Oksanen
Supplier Maria Veitola shared on Instagram picture of several corals and shells on a towel. Veitola and a singer vacationing in Mozambique, Africa Anna Puu collected the corals and shells they photographed as souvenirs. It wouldn’t be worth doing that at all, Veitola was commented on Instagram.
– According to the messages we received, collecting even dead pieces of coral or seashells from the beach is not advisable, because they are part of the local ecosystem. Unfortunately, there are no clear guidelines for travelers on the internet. But for the information of all treasure collectors like us, Maria Veitola apologized.
Maria Veitola’s picture shows how many pieces of nature the vacationing duo collected. Emmi Oksanen
However, by googling online, you can easily find several instructions for travelers on what kind of products and souvenirs from trips should be bought and collected. The import of so-called CITES products into Finland is prohibited or requires a permit, Customs has reminded in its announcement.
According to Customs, CITES products are endangered animals and plants, their parts or products made from them. Among the prohibited or licensed products are also souvenirs popular with tourists, such as corals and cacti. Also, for example, decorative items, reptile skin accessories and fur products can be made from CITES species or contain their parts, Tulli reminds.
Director of animal care and protection in Korkeasaari Nina Trontti generally advises to be cautious as a buyer and collector of souvenirs.
– It is good to find out the origin of objects of animal and plant origin. If you don’t know, it’s better not to buy or collect, just take a picture and enjoy the experience. There are also endangered trees. That’s why it’s worth considering bringing wooden products, Trontti advises.
Part of Mozambique’s coast is a protected area and the environmental organization WWF is working on it to expand the protected area. Many coral species in the world are endangered species or endangered.
However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland, for example, does not in its travel bulletin give tourists instructions on what kind of souvenirs are allowed to collect or buy.