Conservation management and restoration of shellfish habitats in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Sri Lanka being a tropical island (62705 km2) located few kilometers off south eastern coast of India in the Indian Ocean at 790 39׳-810 53׳ E and 50 54׳-90 52׳ N has a continental shelf area of around 30,000 km2 and a brackish water area of around 1580 km2 used for the exploitation of shell fish resources. The shell fish including crustaceans and molluscs contribute for about 18% of the total annual fish production of 300,000 mt. The shell fish habitats in the coastal environments in Sri Lanka are degraded both due to natural effects and anthropogenic activities. The major natural effect that destroyed these habitats was the tsunami on 26.12.2004. The anthropogenic activities include denudation of mangrove forests, encroachment of estuarine habitats, land reclamation, use of destructive fishing gear and pollution, Changes in the sedimentation pattern and increased inflow of fresh water resulting in due to anthropogenic activities has also caused destruction to these habitats.

The need for protection, preservation and improvement of the environment for the benefits of the community is identified in the Constitution of Sri Lanka and many Ordinances and Acts regarding the conservation of the environment are enacted. There are many regulations dealing with the conservation and protection of the environment and habitats formulated under these Acts and Ordinances. These include the regulations on banning destructive fishing gear, imposing minium catchable size for some mollusc and lobster species, discharging effluents into aquatic environments, and conducting environmental impact assessments for development projects. Environmental studies highlighting the conservation of habitats for sustainable utilization of resources are also included in school and undergraduate curricula. The awareness programmes are also conducted to the community by professionals and environmentalists. The restoration measures taken include replanting of mangroves, dredging of some habitats, removing sediments and dredging of the mouths of estuaries to enhance water circulation with the sea.