Protecting the Ocean’s Guardians: Coral Reefs

Scientists have reported that 27% of coral reefs had been destroyed by 1998 and that a further 32% are seriously threatened with destruction over the next 30 years.

Importance of coral reef:

• Fisheries

• Tourism

• Coastal protection

• Intrinsic value

INDIA’S BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOT: GULF OF MANNAR

Gulf of Mannar, extends from Tuticorin to Rameswaram Island in the SW-NE direction, lies between 78° 5′ & 79°30′ E longitudes and 8°47′ & 9°15′ N latitudes, to a length of about 140 km. There are 21 low islands situated at an average distance of about 8 km from the coast and running almost parallel to the coastline. It is one of the four major coral reef areas in India with 117 corals species. It is the biologically richest coastal region in India, having more than 4,200 species of plants and animals within its boundaries. In the Gulf of Mannar one can see the globally endangered dugong, several species of dolphins and whales and endangered sea turtles.

Natural problems faced by these coral reefs:

Map of the Gulf of Mannar islands

During the northeast monsoon period highly turbid and low saline water from Palk Bay is transported to Gulf of Mannar by long shore current along Pamban channel. This increases the silt in Gulf of Mannar waters and causes the death of coral reef. Several corals die yearly during northeast monsoon period. •during the low tide period, the tidal current moves towards south and transport some amount of sediment to Gulf of Mannar. Towards the seaward side of the island, the high velocity waves hit against the reef edge (wave breaker) and a fall in the velocity of waves cause the wave induced current forms which moves towards the island and drop the littoral sediment on reef leading to coral degradation. •Sedimentation is a major factor controlling the distribution of reef organisms and overall reef development. The reduced level of light due to suspended sediment in the water column can reduce coral growth and has an impact on natural zonation patterns.

Anthropogenic Issues faced by coral reefs:

A mechanised fishing trawler at work.

• Over fishing and destructive fishing practices

• Sea weed collection

• Commercial shell collection

• Coral mining

• Poor land use practices

• Coastal urban development •Harbour and dredging activities Industrial development and pollution.

Status of coral bleaching in gulf of mannar:

Bleached coral reefs in the region.

The coral reef area declared as the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park has been monitored since 2003. The local annual variation of coral cover and coral bleaching occur during the late April when sea surface temperature rises 2 to 3 degrees, but they tend to recover within a period of three months when the normal temperature returns. In general, annual bleaching event does not cause mortality. The coral bleaching and severe mortality during 2010 and 2016 are due to global coral bleaching events. However, in 2018, it was revealed that 16.2% of corals in this region had died and 23.9% had bleached.

Legislations to help preserve coral reefs in India:

• The law and policy for coral reefs in India is virtually non-existent.

• Various state fisheries acts would be relevant for conservation and management of coral reef areas. It must, however be noted that even under the WPA, coral reef areas have, no separate legal status and short comings of the WPA in affording protection to coral reef areas is discussed subsequently.

• The only law that explicitly outlaws coral mining is the Coastal Regulation Zone notification of 1991.

• Few laws in the Country that can be activated for the protection of coral reef areas such as the Environment Protection Act, 1986 and the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 1991 issued under the broad EPA as well as the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA), 1972. All coral reef areas in India are protected areas declared under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

• National laws that are applicable to coral reef areas involve various departments of the government agencies (state forest departments, fisheries departments and most recently the state coastal management authority at the state level). The laws are inadequate as they are not area specific and do not distinguish coral reef areas from other islands, coastal and marine areas.

What can be done?

Amend the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 to include species of coral: In the Schedules and specifically state that the extraction of coral is prohibited under the provisions of Chapter V-A of the WPA, Since the CRZ notification essentially covers coastal areas extending 500 Ms from the High Tide Line and the land lying between the Low Tide Line and the High Tide line in the landward side, the areas extending beyond corals and coral reefs on the sea ward side, remain unprotected. Thus the major coral reef areas (and adjoining areas) could be declared as ecologically sensitive under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and restrictions could be imposed on environmentally dangerous industries, operations and processes in these areas.

The legal status of ecologically sensitive areas would help in ensuring that activities like the plying of mechanised fishing trawlers could be banned and restricted in these areas close to the protected areas. A national level policy especially focusing on wetlands and corals is imperative in order to take up and guide conservation efforts by governmental agencies and local communities who are residing in close proximity of these ecologically sensitive areas and are dependent on them for their livelihood.

Relevant articles to read:

• https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2018/08/explore-atlas-great-barrier-reef-coral-bleaching-map-climate-change/

• https://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2018/jul/29/can-you-spot-dead-coral-in-pictures