#Status of Coral Reefs 2002 - International Coral Reef Action Network

Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2002
Current status of Marine Protected Areas in South Asia and an indication of slow progress.
Marine Protected Areas MPA Status MPA Management Major issues
Bangladesh
St. Martin’s Island (in National Small coral reefs & scattered Management weak due to Sedimentation, coral mining,
Conservation Strategy coral growth on limestone, single sector approach; lack mangrove cutting, pollution,
protected area programme). rocky habitats; corals and of trained manpower in over-exploitation. No progress
other reef resources rapidly coastal and marine affairs for since 2000.
degrading
enforcement & management.
Chagos (B.I.O.T.)
Several protected areas; Massive mortality in 1998. Diego Garcia Strict Nature No specific major issues as
1 Ramsar site. Management Extensive new coral Reserves and Ramsar site archipelago uninhabited;
plan being prepared to recruitment from surviving currently effective; some good compliance in Diego
recommend extension of patches; mostly on eroding recreational fishing allowed. Garcia.
strictly protected areas. table corals & rubble substrate All other Strict nature Reserves
no-entry areas; no human
disturbance.
India mainland
Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Some areas highly degraded; Action Plan prepared; Coral & sand mining,
Reserve (1989) damaged in 1998 bleaching. weak implementation & over-exploitation, sedimentation
damage continues due to management. & industrial pollution.
over-exploitation & No progress since 2000.
sedimentation
Gulf of Kutch Marine Heavily degraded. Action Plan prepared but Coral mining, mangrove cutting,
National Park (1980) weak management. No industrial pollution and
buffer zones, & possible sedimentation. No progress since
losses for industrial 2000.
development
Lakshadweep
One national park declared Corals not recovered after the Management is weak Subsistence fishing & coral
1998 bleaching. mining. No progress since 2000.
Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Mahatma Gandhi Marine Coral reef resources Action Plan has been Sedimentation, crown-of-thorns
National Park, (Wandur relatively well protected. implemented starfish, tourism & souvenir
National Park) Andaman collecting. No progress since 2000.
Islands (1983)
Rani Jansi Marine National No information Action Plan has been No information. No progress
Park, Ritchie’s Archipelago implemented since 2000.
(1997)
Maldives
25 MPAs established. Good condition except for All are tourist & popular dive Boat anchoring, dive tourism,
(15 Sites in 1995) 1998 bleaching; sites. Little active management crown-of-thorns starfish, conflicts
(10 Sites in1999) massive coral losses. or enforcement. Lower human between tourism & fisheries
impacts than other countries users. No progress since 2000.
in region.
Sri Lanka
Hikkaduwa Nature Reserve Very poor condition, 7% Management plan exists since Sediments, physical damage
(1979 upgraded in 1998. coral cover in 1999, 1996, no active management, by glass bottom & fishing
poor recovery except some MPA zones lost due to lack boats, reef trampling, sewage
large corals. of maintenance. pollution.
Bar Reef Marine Sanctuary Shallow coral areas highly Management issues identified, Crown-of-thorns starfish,
(1992) degraded in 1998 bleaching. recommendations made, over-exploitation of fish,
no management.
chanks, sea cucumbers,
ornamental fish. No progress
since 2000.
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