Massive corals have
been utilized by islanders as building materials for centuries. This practice has, however,
been declining in recent years due to increasing local awareness on the negative impacts
this has on coral reefs, and due to the availability of alternative construction materials on
the islands, such as cement and limestone rocks from the mainland. The collection of corals
for the ornamental trade focuses on smaller colonies and on particularly colorful morphs.
During initial visits to the area, two islands were found to be of primary importance in the
ornamental coral trade: Karanrang and Barrang Lompo. While Barrang Lompo is close to
the port of Makassar and has been an important hub of the Spermonde trade and fishery for
centuries, Karanrang is located more to the north, in the center of the archipelago