Status of Coral Reefs of the World 2000

Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2000
low fines. Coral mining still occurs on the southern and eastern coasts, although the
Department of Coast Conservation has removed the lime kilns from the coastal zone. Blast
fishing has increased within the last two years in the south-western and southern coast and
north of Trincomalee, despite the presence of security forces. A new licensing system for all
fishing activities has not been implemented and few fishermen have licenses. The newly
formed coastguard lacks boats or motivation for active surveillance and there is a shortage of
people to monitor the use of fishing gear. The potential industries that could arise from bioprospecting
reef resources have not yet been recognised nor examined by the government.
Above is a summary of MPAs, their current status and the major limitations for effective
conservation.
GOVERNMENT POLICIES, LAWS AND LEGISLATION
Bangladesh
The ‘Bangladesh Wildlife Preservation Order, 1973’ and the amended ‘Bangladesh Wildlife
Preservation Act 1974’ provide government with the power to establish national parks,
wildlife sanctuaries and game reserves. Provision for establishing marine reserves for flora
and fauna was further strengthened by the enactment of the Marine Fisheries Ordinance,
1983. The relevant government agencies and semi-government organisations that need to
coordinate this action are: Forest Department, Ministry of Environment and Forest;
Directorate of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock; Ministry of Aviation and Tourism;
Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Education; SPARRSO; Bangladesh
Wildlife Advisory Board; and Environmental Pollution Control Board (EPCB).
India
The Federal government ‘Coastal Regulation Zone Notification 1991’ regulates onshore
development activities which impact on coastal environments and strictly prohibits the
collection and trade of corals. The ‘Wildlife Protection Act 1972’ provides protection for
protected areas and some marine species. Efforts continue to bring corals under this act
and to encourage more stringent enforcement of protection measures. Coral reef
conservation is also included in the ‘Environmental Protection Act 1986’ and the ‘National
Conservation Strategy and Policy Statement on Environmental Development 1992’. The
‘Action Plan of the Ministry of Environment and Forests’ gives this ministry the mandate to
conserve and manage coral reef resources and be the focal points for the Indian Coral Reef
Monitoring Network and the International Coral Reef Initiative.
Maldives
There are two main pieces of legislation directly related to coral reef management and
conservation: ‘The Fisheries Law of the Maldives 1987’ and ‘The Environmental Protection
and Preservation Act 1993’. Traditional management systems are still practiced in some
atolls and these practices have been incorporated into fisheries law. Specific regulations
associated with coral mining were introduced in 1992 and are currently under revision to
be made applicable to the whole country. Many sectors of government are involved in
managing coral reefs and reef resources, these include:
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