CORDIO Status Report 1999.pdf

Coral reef ecosystems in South Asia
ARJAN RAJASURIYA 1 , MAIZAN HASSAN MANIKU 2 , B R SUBRAMANIAN 3 & JASON RUBENS 4
1
National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency, Sri Lanka
2
Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Marine Resources, Maldives
3
Dept of Ocean Development, India
4
Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network, South Asia Programme
This article is a revised and shortened version of a
longer review article presented by Arjan Rayasuria at
‘‘International Tropical Marine Ecosystems Management
Symposium” in 1998, and later published by South
Asia Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP).
ABSTRACT
In April to June 1998, an El Nino-related increase in sea
surface temperatures caused extensive damage to
shallow-water coral reefs in South Asia, which resulted
in unprecedented coral bleaching. In many reef areas in
South Asia, the high coral mortality has greatly overshadowed
other observable impacts.
There appears to be an increased awareness in
national government sectors, and to some extent among
resource-user groups, that better management is
required for the future sustainability of coral reef
resources in South Asia. Training conducted through
the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN)
and the South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme
(SACEP) have contributed to enhanced
monitoring capabilities. At a national level, new programmes
have been initiated in Sri Lanka, Maldives
and India. In Bangladesh and Pakistan, new programmes
that would broadly fall under the theme of
integrated coastal zone management are planned for the
near future.
Nevertheless, active management of coral reefs and
related resources remains at a relatively low level,
mainly due to economic under-development of poor
coastal communities, poor planning and co-ordination
of development activities, and a lack of trained personnel
and equipment. The inability to implement existing
laws and regulations continues to be a major cause of
reef degradation.
INTRODUCTION
This report reviews the status of coral reefs in South
Asia. It summarises progress in implementation of
management initiatives and major changes to reef status
since the state of affairs reported by White and Rajasuriya
at the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI)
Workshop at Dumaguete City in the Philippines in May
1995. Information has also been obtained from recent
workshop proceedings and research reports, and
through consultation with relevant government officers
and scientists in the region.
In South Asia, the major coral reefs are situated in
the Lakshadweep-Maldives-Chagos archipelagos.
Extensive fringing coral reefs occur around the Anda-
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