MARINE SANCTUARIES

Sri Lanka's coral reefs radiate a vibrant panorama among her picturesque ecological assets, while adding colour to its aquatic environs, corals have also proved to have their variegated scientific uses.However, due to a multitude of development activities by man, these coral reefs were recently found to be in a degraded state. In order to circumvent these hazards, two of Sri Lanka's premier coral reefs - HIKKADUWA and the BARRIER REEF, north of Kalpitiya have been declared as Marine Sanctuaries. Hikkaduwa was declared as a Marine Sanctuary in 1979, followed by the Barrier Reef in 1992, in accordance with the Flora and Fauna Protection Ordinance. This would actively inhibit wanton destruction. Therefore, only planned activities are permitted with the prior permission of the Department of Wildlife. (The activities of the Department of Wildlife are not restricted to terrestrial habitats, but includes aquatic environments too). Sri Lanka has three types of reefs. They are reefs, sandstone reefs and rocky reefs. Most are fringing reefs while there are a few barrier types reefs in the North Western coast. The former is restricted to a near shore area, while the latter expands to around six ton eight kilometers away from the shore. The Hikkaduwa Marine Sanctuary is situated around 96 kms south west of Colombo. It is equipped with a 1.5 km stretch of beach protected by fringing coral reefs running parallel to the coast line 100 - 150 metres off shore. The reef offers fascinatingly beautiful corals and fish, in addition to emerging as a popular bathing and swimming area.The reefs support five species of angel - fish and twelve species of butterfly fish. These fish feed on coral tentacles and coral polyps. Statistics from the Hikkaduwa Marine Sanctuary have revealed that 18.2% of the lagoon area has live hard coral cover, 8.19% of coral rubble and 28.9% of dead corals. In this area, traditional fishing types such as angling and the use of nets are prevalent. The Barrier Reef constitutes around 90% of live coral cover. A very high bio-diversity is characteristic of this reef with over 200 species of reef fish and 80 species of corals. A grand total of 25 species of butterfly - fish have also been recorded at this reef. Spinner Dolphins - Stennela Longirostis are encountered seaward of the coral patches. Bottle-nose Dolphins- Turiops Trunctus are found in the Puttalam lagoon between the months of May and December . Sea turtles too have been found in this coral reef. A mushroom coral - Zoophilus Edinatus was detected in this area which makes it the first in the Indian Ocean.

The benefits of coral reefs lie in the scientific and educational values along with their extractive and non extractive uses. While they represent a dominant part of Sri Lanka's cultural and geographical heritage, marine biologists consider that they are among the most productive of all aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Marine biologists have shown that coral reefs, tropical sea grass beds and algal communities have productivity rates far in excess of field grasses & coniferous woodlands. An obvious outcome of coral reefs is the high productivity and ample fish life. Marine scientists have estimated that the world's fisheries potential to be around 9% of the total fish landings.Coral reefs are vital to nations which have fisheries and fishery industries and there is ample evidence to substantiate this fact from the Indo - Pacific region itself. Reef fish constitute around 25% of the total fish market landings in Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia.

There have been numerous instances where coral reefs have acted as buffer - zones by taking on the full impact of waves, dissipating energy and blocking currents which could otherwise lead to sea erosion. In this manner, coral reefs protect valuable coast land from being eroded away. In the Indian Ocean, around 77% of the isolated land has been washed away due to corals being removed from the limestone.It is increasingly evident that the coral reef dwelling organizations such as sea - fans and other invertebrates produce biologically active chemicals which produce antibiotic, and-coagulant and anti-leukaemic properties. The science of marine pharmacology is still at its infancy and coral reefs would prove to be an ideal source of medically important compounds in the near future. The most recent development is the use of coral skeletons of dome shaped corals for bone grafts. It Is said that the blood vessels easily develop through the porous skeletons of corals.It is prudent that the general public understand and appreciate the value of Sri Lanka's inherent natural resources in order to safe guard the pristine glory of these marine sanctuaries at Hikkaduwa and Kalpitiya.