Bar Reef Marine Sanctuary

Location: 80 32’ 0 N and 790 40’ 0 E to 80 8’ 0 N and 790 48’ 0 E; 943513 N and 353252 E to 899234 N and 367795 E; northwest of the Kalpitiya Peninsula in the North-western Province.

Area: Sanctuary area is 30,670 ha

Altitude: Sea level to a depth of over 30m

Overview: The Bar Reef Marine Sanctuary is a complex of offshore continental shelf patch reefs constituting one of the largest coral reef systems in Sri Lanka. The marine sanctuary includes shallow coral reefs and sandstone habitats located deeper than the true coral reefs. The sanctuary is located offshore of the Puttalam estuarine system which includes Dutch Bay and Portugal Bay, in a relatively remote region of the country. The area was declared as a Marine Sanctuary in 1992 due to its rich species diversity and extensive coral reefs. It is the only MPA within the country that covers a considerably large area and encompasses multiple habitat types. Despite the effects of coral bleaching, Bar Reef remains one of the most biologically diverse coral reefs in Sri Lanka. It has also shown strong signs of natural recovery from coral bleaching compared to many other reefs in the country.

Physical features: The reef is located relatively offshore with the nearest coral patches located approximately 2 km from the shore. The coral reef is located in depths of 1-10m while the major sandstone habitats are located between 18-30m. Coral patches within the shallow coral reef vary in size from a few meters to hundreds of meters across. The coral reef area is composed mainly of branching and tabulate corals although fairly large coral domes are found at around 10m depth. The deeper reefs are mainly sandstone substrate with corals growing on it. It is characterized by rocks, small hills and flat plateau like structures with holes and crevices. The reef is subjected to strong winds and currents during the southwest monsoon between May to October, which often results in decreased underwater visibility. Northerly surface currents during the southwest monsoon bring turbid water from the nearby Puttalam estuary and several small river outlets (Aruvi Aru, Kal Aru, Modaragam Aru, and Kala Oya). Geographically the area lies in the northwestern dry zone of Sri Lanka with low rainfall, intense sunlight and seasonal strong winds. Annual rainfall ranges between 1,000 – 1,200 mm and average temperatures are around 28.20C.

Ecological features: The Bar reef consists of a number of continental shelf patch reefs and sandstone habitats. The shallow coral areas are currently dominated by branching and tabulate species of Acropora and extensive colonies of Pocillopora damicornis. The reef once contained extensive areas of Echinopora lamellosa, which died due to coral bleaching. One hundred and twenty two species of stony corals belonging to 54 genera have been recorded from the reef while over 400 species of reef and reef-associated fish have also been documented. Several species of marine birds such as sea gulls, terns and waders are also common in the area, while marine mammals inhabit deeper waters within and adjacent to the sanctuary. Until 1998, the 3Bar Reef was one of the best coral reefs in Sri Lanka with live coral cover of around 80%. The reef was also not under intense fishing pressure as the area was relatively inaccessible due the restrictions imposed by the Navy. However, intense coral bleaching resulted in nearly 100% mortality of corals. Coral cover has since increased to nearly 40%, mainly due to the rapid growth of Acropora cytherea and Pocillopora damicornis.

Noteworthy fauna: A new species of damselfish (Chrysiptera kuiteri) was found in the sanctuary, while the only Sri Lankan records of Chaetodon semeion and Centropyge flavicauda have also been from the area. Several globally threatened fish species such as Cheilinus undulates, Aetomylaeus nichofii, Epinephelus lanceolatus and Rhincodon typus have been recorded within the sanctuary. Two species of shark namely, Carcharhinus melanopterus and Trionodon obesus are regularly encountered. Marine mammals include small cetaceans such as Tursiops truncatus and Stenella longirostris, large whales such as Balaenoptera musculus and Physeter macrocephalus, and the dugong (Dugong dugon). The reef is also an important habitat for economically valuable species of spiny lobsters (Panulirus versicolor, P.ornatus and P. pencillatus) and important food fish species belonging to the families Carangidae, Serranidae, Lutjanidae, Haemulidae and Lethrinidae. Globally endangered marine turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata, Chelonia mydas and Lepidochelys olivacea) also visit the area.

Noteworthy flora: Seagrasses such as Thalassia spp. Halodule spp. Syringodium spp. and Halophila spp.

Land use: Extractive uses such as fishing, and collection of sea cucumbers and ornamental fish are carried out within the sanctuary.Extractive uses such as fishing, and collection of sea cucumbers and ornamental fish are carried out within the sanctuary.

Possible changes in land use: Increasing fishing pressure including the use of destructive fishing methods is leading to decreased fish stocks. Intensive dynamite fishing can lead to extensive destruction of the reef structure and associated biodiversity resulting in adverse impacts on fisheries. A change in fishing practices and fish catches has already been documented around the Kandakuliya area.

Hydrological and biophysical values: The reefs within the sanctuary function as an integral part of a larger marine and coastal ecosystem consisting of the Puttalam estuary and adjacent coastal waters which include coral and sandstone reefs, sea grass habitats and soft-bottom communities. Large reef systems such as Bar Reef invariably play an important role in regulating ocean currents, water movement, and nutrient cycling.

Social and cultural values: Reefs in the area support numerous fisheries livelihoods. This includes both permanent communities and migrant fishermen who operate from seasonal fishing camps located on remote islands off the tip of the Kalpitiya peninsular.

Scientific research and monitoring: Bar Reef has been extensively studied by NARA since the early 1990s, and a NARA regional research centre is located in Kalpitiya. Currently NARA carries out long term monitoring with assistance from the GCRMN and CORDIO.

Conservation education: A visitor centre is being constructed at Kudawa under the SAM process of the ADB funded CRMP.

Recreation and tourism: There is some limited recreational diving, although there are no official dive tour operators based in the area. Currently, there is no major tourism activity within the sanctuary, but the CTB has earmarked the Kalpitiya area as an important area for tourism development. The CRMP is also attempting to promote nature based tourism and conservation education.

Conservation measures taken: In 1992, the Bar Reef was declared as a Marine Sanctuary under the FFPO based on the recommendations of NARA. The reef area was selected for SAM under the ADB funded CRMP and a management plan has been developed. A major initiative under this management plan is the establishment of multiple-use areas within the sanctuary. Efforts are underway to demarcate sanctuary boundaries and initiate regular patrolling of the sanctuary.

Conservation measures proposed: The CRMP has proposed several management measures including the demarcation of sanctuary boundaries and provision of infrastructure and capacity building to patrol the area and implement regulations, conducting awareness campaigns for local communities and user groups, and providing alternative livelihood programmes for coral resource users.

Disturbance and threats: Use of destructive fishing techniques (such as bottom-set nets, moxy nets, purse seine nets and blast fishing) and over-fishing have severely degraded the reef and fishery resources. Predation of corals by infestations of the invasive Acanthaster planci resulted in reef degradation in the 1970’s and 1980’s. Coral bleaching during an El Niño event resulted in mass coral mortality within the Bar Reef and destroyed large areas of previously healthy coral reefs.

Land tenure: State owned

Management authority and jurisdication: DWC

References: