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Action program to conserve Lanka's coral reefs

by Florence Wickramage

A priority action program to conserve Sri Lanka's Coral reefs, 86% of which are threatened with extinction due to human induced pollution, over-exploitation and natural causes will be mapped out at a three day forum commencing in Colombo today.

To support the country's efforts at conserving coral reefs, the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN)- South Asia together with the South Asia Co-operative Environment Program (SACEP) and Coral Reef Degradation in the Indian Ocean (CORDIO) have come together to host the workshop which will include a training session for coral reef researchers and managers within the country. Attention will be focused on the needs for coral reef researchers to produce information which could serve as guidelines for future management and policy decisions in the field.

The Sri Lanka Coral Reef Forum will launch the inaugural meeting on 24th April with the participation of over 40 representatives from Government, Universities, NGOs, Donor projects and user groups to disseminate ideas and information relating to the sustainable use and conservation of coral reefs. Once established the forum hopes to meet on a biannual basis to study on going current and new measures to be adopted and to discuss topical issues relating to the conservation of Sri Lanka's Coral Reefs.

The inaugural session will also study various alternative livelihoods as a management option in reef conservation, since a recent survey appearing in the World Atlas of Coral Reefs has focused on the serious threats posed to the Coral Reefs in the island. 

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