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Damage to corals by large boats

by Telwatta group correspondent

Large boats with high powered engines anchoring in the restricted area of the Coral Gardens at Hikkaduwa cause damage to corals, men who operate the glassbottomed boats, minor fishermen and residents said.

Some leading hoteliers take tourists to deep sea for diving purposes and on pleasure trips. They change American $ 18 each for the trip after loading 20 to 30 passengers into the boat.

These boats are fitted with high powered outboard motors. Their propellers cause heavy damages to the corals. These boats are about 50 feet long and 15 to 20 feet wide.

Additionally mechanised large fishing boats are anchored in this restricted area. Sea bathers are greatly inconvenienced because of the presence of these boats.

When the Daily News questioned the Wild Life Department's Marine Unit situated in front of the Coral Garden's beach of Hikkaduwa about this matter, they said they cannot do anything about it and the people who man these boats do not pay heed to them.

The Wild Life Marine Unit has already informed the boatmen to remove their boats from the area but some of them have not done so.

The fishermen have told the officers concerned, "if tourists, hoteliers could anchor their very large boats with double engines in the restricted zone why can't we anchor our boats here".

These boats which travel up and down on the coral gardens daily destroy the corals, the glassbottomed boatmen said.

According to the rules and regulations of the Wild Life Department nobody could enter this restricted area without their permission, but those rules and laws are not implemented.

The Wild Life Department has appointed only five officers including two guards for the marine unit to safeguard the coral gardens.

When Gamini Lokuge, Minister of Tourism came to the Coral Gardens Hotel at Hikkaduwa last week to attend a conference to discuss ways to uplift the Tourist Resorts of Hikkaduwa, the officers of the Wild Life Marine Unit and the Coastal Conservation officers brought these matters to his notice.

The Minister instructed the Wild Life Department, the Coastal Conservation officers, Pradeshiya Sabha and the Police to look into these illegal activities and take action. 

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