Coral reefs are some of the most important resources in the tropics, alongside mangroves and seagrass beds. Humans rely heavily on coral reefs, thanks to their benefits to the tourism and building industries, and for coastal protection. They are home to a quarter of the world’s marine species, and provide food and resources to half a billion people across the globe.

However, due to the drastic effects of climate change, underwater coal mining, overfishing and uncontrolled harvesting, the coral reefs in Sri Lanka are badly damaged. According to Dr Terney Pradeep Kumara, general manager of the country’s Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA), 90% are already dead due to pollution and unethical human activities, and the remaining 10% are endangered.

This problem is not restricted to Sri Lanka. It is estimated that 70–90% of coral reefs worldwide will be lost by 2040.

Human activity is the main cause of coral reef destruction in Sri Lanka, but there are natural causes too. The 2004 Boxing Day tsunami resulted in significant destruction, according to the UN Atlas of the Oceans. Although most of the damage has healed naturally over the years, some reefs remain affected.

Coral reefs protect coastlines from storms and erosion – without the “rainforests of the sea”, shorelines would be vulnerable to erosion, causing sea levels to rise and flood many coastal houses.

Reefs are popular tourist attractions, providing jobs in the scuba diving, aquatic veterinarian and hospitality industries. Kalu Priynatha, founder of the Blue Deep Diving Center in Hikkaduwa on Sri Lanka’s southern, says coral reef damage has reduced the number of visitors: “It’s hurting our business because the tourists expect living corals.” This affects the economy because as much as 5% of the country’s revenue comes from tourism.

Moreover, coral reefs can be used as a food source and in the production of medicines. Ara-C, a chemotherapy drug that battles leukemia, is made with ingredients from Caribbean coral reefs. The same reefs can contribute to antiviral drugs.

How reefs are damaged

Coral reefs can get severely damaged when touched by foreign species – including humans – and substances, such as plastic, which unfortunately is now spread all over the world’s ocean.

Corals experience high levels of stress when touched, polluted or broken. This causes the brightly coloured algae, which acts as nutrition, to leave the coral, giving it a bleached appearance. Once the corals are bleached, they can no longer contribute to helping the biodiversity of the reef community. This disturbance will impact other communities, such as seagrass, mangroves and shallow-water plants.

Another significant problem is sedimentation. When dirt and debris is deposited in the ocean, the reefs get polluted and photosynthesis cannot occur. This also causes the reefs to bleach and die.

What can be done?

People diving and fishing in the ocean have the greatest contact with coral reefs and therefore pose the greatest threat. Scuba diving training centres and the Department of Wildlife Conservation must be stricter in preventing people from walking on Sri Lankan reefs, according to local newspaper the Daily News.

Experts also suggest that diving areas should frequently be patrolled to ensure that the rules are taken seriously. According to marine ecologists, a reduction in tourism could benefit the coral reefs’ health.

Many countries are considering creating Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) as a management tool. Nearly 60% of the studies come from North America, Australia, Europe and the Mediterranean, but these methods could be adapted to fit Sri Lanka.

An example of this is coral mining. Despite being banned in 1983, it remains one of Sri Lanka’s biggest problems, especially in the famous Hikkaduwa Marine National Park. Although a USAID-supported programme (the Coastal Resources Management Project) was implemented, a lack of continuation of the programme has created issues in the long run.

Lime (a key material in construction and agriculture) is made in kilns often located along coastlines. These coastal kilns cause marine pollution and were banned in Sri Lanka in 1993 and 1994, but it has proven difficult to enforce the ban due to the lack of continuous employment.

Learning from other countries’ environmental legislation and projects could help restore Sri Lanka’s coral reefs. One such project is the Global Coral Reef Alliance, which works with volunteer scientists, environmentalists and divers to focus on coral restoration and scientific research. There may be hope for Sri Lanka’s future.