139736eo.pdf (20MB) - Japan Oceanographic Data Center

BANGLADESHThe only known coral reef areas in Bangladesh occur around St. Martin's Island (20'31'Nand 92'1 8'E) in the Bay of Bengal. FATTAH (1979) stated that "It is believed that a submerged reefis present on the south and southeast of St. Martin's Island and in all probability this reef is thewestern extension of the one of Malaysian sea coast. This area appears to be rich in biological zones,but adequate survey work is yet to be canied out on this region". He further stated that ". . . over thelast 20 years in the author's experience, the damage to the reef surrounding the island has increasedyearly at an alarming rate. It is known that a portion of the area has now been totally destroyed".There is no information on the types of corals or their distribution at St. Martin's Island, butFATTAH (1979) summarized some of the human activities responsible for their deterioration,particularly the commercial collection of shells and corals. He also indicated that commercial collectionof aquarium fish, recreational pressures, and use of explosives to catch fish could become futureproblems if adequate precautionary measures are not taken.RESEARCH NEEDSTraditionally coral reef resources have been exploited to cater to the needs of smallcommunities. The methods used for such exploitation were largely non-destructive and highlyselective. The Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) was thus not exceeded and the reef resources inmost instances were able to replenish themselves. Even in instances where the MSY was exceededalternative sites could be used, thus allowing for the regeneration of the over-harvested area. Today,in addition to the threat of overharvesting of coral reef resources, the spectre of pollution, excessiverecreational and other human pressures pose real threats to coral reefs of the Central Indian Ocean.To counter these pressures there is an immediate need for the following:1)2)3)4)5)6)7)Further surveying and mapping of coral reef areas;Assessing coral reef quality in terms of species diversity, percentage live/dead coralcover and the economic value as indicated by its exploitation for fisheries, tourism, etc.;Determining the causes and the rates of coral reef degradation;Calculating the economic value of coral reefs for fisheries, as breeding and nurserygrounds, etc.;Determining the Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) of exploitable coral reefresources:Standardizing coral reef research methods to make results comparable;Making a concerted effort at rationally managing and conserving coral reefs.Coral reef research in many of the Central Indian Ocean countries, however, has remained at alow level of priority because of the lack of proper understanding by the policy makers of the value andvulnerability of coral reefs, as well as the lack of sufficient funds, scientists and expertise to carry outcoral reef research.The development of a central pool of Indian Ocean coral reef research and managementexpertise in collaboration with other relevant marine desciplines, with the blessings of the governmentsconcerned, could provide the nucleus for much needed co-operative and comparative coral reefresearch in the region. There is also a need in the Central Indian Ocean and the adjacent region for acoral reef research data collection and dissemination service as well as a regional base for concertedefforts for rationally managing and conserving coral reefs.159