Underwater beauties

By Senashia Ekanayake

Despite claiming to be an environmentalist, - a topic and a subjective statement that is open for debate, I never prided myself to be an animal lover. However, it must be noted that by stating thus, it does not mean that I hate animals. The relationship between animals and I are nonchalant and their presence does not bother me, unless of course there is no meat on my lunch.

However, the story of corals takes a different twist with this non-animal-loving concern. Corals are classified animals as they namely: acquire food from their surroundings, ensure protection against predators, reproduce and maintain the ecological oxygen and carbon dioxide balance. They also have a distinct feature because of their symbolic relationship with the zooxanthellae algae. To me, they are underwater beauties. However, experts clarify otherwise and state that corals are animals and neither plants nor minerals. Attending a lecture on coral reef conservation was indeed intimidating, especially when a literature student is required to sit amidst students of biology, marine biology and equally complex fields of study.

Coral importance

Coral reefs are like good men, a dying breed. There is only less than one percent left on this planet but remains to be one of the most diverse and important habitants on earth. The Atlantic houses 15% of the world’s reefs with 70 coral species and 500 varieties of fish, while the Indo-Pacific contains 85% of the reefs with 700 coral species 4000 fish. However, Master Scuba Diver Instructor Laxman Mutukuda believes that nearly 80,000 underwater life forms are yet to be identified. He also went on to say that, the reefs act as barriers to nearly 1/6 of the world’s coastline which in turn absorb wave energy and protect low lying lands. The Great Barrier Reef, Australia is the worlds largest and spans across 1250 nautical miles from New Guinea to Queensland. What most people fail to understand is the fact that corals are not only beautiful delicate underwater creatures but also protectors of larger environments.

Glancing briefly into the biological development, coral reefs are made of millions of tiny organisms called coral polyps. The relationship or symbiosis between the coral and the algae named zooxanthellae gives the reefs their colours. The plants feed off the coral waste and create food for the latter though photosynthesis.  

Endangered

Corals are very delicate and therefore its conservation is made more important. The reefs exist mainly in tropical and sub-tropical waters. While sea temperature, depth, salinity, water clarity, wave and so on are important for coral reef distribution, as not all seas boast of these favourable characteristics making regeneration only more difficult. Experts note these conditions as Darwin’s Paradox as oceans with low nutrients resulting in the most productive ecosystems on earth.

An estimated 10% of the world’s coral reefs have already been destroyed and of the remaining, 60% are dying. Reports show that at this rate of deterioration corals would be extinct by 2050.

While calamities caused by both mankind and nature are responsible for the death of corals other factors include land pollution caused by agriculture, improper waste management and anchoring of boats, dredging, coastal development, oil shale mining, over-fishing, destructive fishing practices, irresponsible diving and snorkelling practices, influx of the crown-of-thorns starfish predator population, Southern Pacific ocean oscillations and global warming.  

Despite the sheer beauty of the corals, they are also income generators. At the lecture delivered, Muthukuda noted that ten years ago one square foot of corals equalled to $47,000 in property value. The reefs also account for a large proportion of stakeholders ranging from recreational fishing and commercial fishing and sustain 10% of the tourism industry.  

The country has quite a few coral reefs including Bar Reef Marine Sanctuary, Kandakuliya, Talawila, Chilaw, Negombo, Colombo, Ambalangoda-Hikkaduwa, Galle, Unawatuna, Weligama, Polhena, Matara, Tangalle, Great and Little Bases, Batticaloa and Trincomalee. While the status of most reefs remains partially degraded due to uncontrolled harvesting it wouldn’t be long until they are heavily damaged beyond repair.

 What can individuals do to protect corals?

Avoid visiting ecologically sensitive coral reefs

When anchoring a boat do so away from the reef

Be responsible and report individuals who cause damage to corals

Refrain from purchasing coral products

Educate yourself and raise awareness. It’s the only way forward