Corals in Mannar Gulf dying
THOOTHUKUDI: Corals in the Gulf of Mannar may soon be a thing of the past if the current die-off trend continues. A reef research team from the Suganthi Devadason Marine ResearchInstitute (SDMRI) in Thoothukudi recorded coral mortality this October — a first since 2002 — during a meticulous rapid monitoring in theGulf of Mannar.
The reputable research institution has regularly been monitoring coralreef in the Gulf of Mannar since 2005 after developing a baseline oncoral status here during 2003-2005.
According to the director of the institute, Dr J K Patterson Edward,mass bleaching and coral mortality were earlier witnessed in 1998 and2002.
Explaining the phenomenon of bleaching and mortality, Edward saidcoral bleaching occurs when the water temperature reaches 31ºC inmid-April every year in the Gulf of Mannar and recovery is usuallyrecorded in June-July, depending on rainfall and winds.
“In 2010, we found that due to the elevated temperature (32.2-33.2ºC),which prolonged for four months (April to July), recovery could nottake place,” he said.
He pointed out that due to this six to eight per cent of live coral inthe Gulf of Mannar had died and since most are covered with turfalgae, chances of recovery were slim.
Interestingly, live coral cover in the Gulf of Mannar increased from37 per cent in 2005 to 42.85 per cent in 2009, which according toEdward had been due to the proactive measures of the government.
According to the data provided by SDMRI, the average percentage ofbleached corals during 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 was 14.6,15.6, 12.9, 10.5, 8.93 and 9.01, respectively.
Edward called for eco-friendly fishing and support for protectionmeasures by the park management to save the coral reef. The SDMRI, anacclaimed underwater research institution in India, is one of the fiveinstitutions identified by the Government of India for environmentalmonitoring of the Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project.
The reputable research institution has regularly been monitoring coralreef in the Gulf of Mannar since 2005 after developing a baseline oncoral status here during 2003-2005.
According to the director of the institute, Dr J K Patterson Edward,mass bleaching and coral mortality were earlier witnessed in 1998 and2002.
Explaining the phenomenon of bleaching and mortality, Edward saidcoral bleaching occurs when the water temperature reaches 31ºC inmid-April every year in the Gulf of Mannar and recovery is usuallyrecorded in June-July, depending on rainfall and winds.
“In 2010, we found that due to the elevated temperature (32.2-33.2ºC),which prolonged for four months (April to July), recovery could nottake place,” he said.
He pointed out that due to this six to eight per cent of live coral inthe Gulf of Mannar had died and since most are covered with turfalgae, chances of recovery were slim.
Interestingly, live coral cover in the Gulf of Mannar increased from37 per cent in 2005 to 42.85 per cent in 2009, which according toEdward had been due to the proactive measures of the government.
According to the data provided by SDMRI, the average percentage ofbleached corals during 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 was 14.6,15.6, 12.9, 10.5, 8.93 and 9.01, respectively.
Edward called for eco-friendly fishing and support for protectionmeasures by the park management to save the coral reef. The SDMRI, anacclaimed underwater research institution in India, is one of the fiveinstitutions identified by the Government of India for environmentalmonitoring of the Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project.
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