NATIONAL REPORT OF SRI LANKA on the Formulation of a Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis and Strategic Action Plan for the Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem Programme Leslie Joseph – National Consultant LIST OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Aim of the national report ...............................................................................................................................1 1.2 Country background.........................................................................................................................................1 1.3 Geographic divisions used in the analysis ....................................................................................................5 1.4 Marine protected areas .....................................................................................................................................7 2.0 STATUS AND DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL OF THE COASTAL AND MARINE ENVIRONMENT AND ITS LIVING RESOURCES 2.1 Quality of Coastal water..................................................................................................................................8 2.2 River pollution ................................................................................................................................................10 2.3 Availability and quality of fresh water .......................................................................................................11 2.4 Coastal and marine habitats .........................................................................................................................12 2.5 Shoreline stability...........................................................................................................................................16 2.6 Exploitation of coastal and marine living resources .................................................................................18 2.7 Coastal and marine biodiversity ...................................................................................................................24 2.8 Development potential ..................................................................................................................................28 3.0 THREATS TO THE COASTAL AND MARINE ENVIRONMENT AND ITS LIVING RESOURCES 3.1 Threats to coastal and marine environment ................................................................................................31 3.2 River pollution ................................................................................................................................................32 3.3 Threats to availability and quality of fresh water ......................................................................................32 3.4 Thretas to coastal and marine habitats ........................................................................................................32 3.5 Threats to shoreline stability.........................................................................................................................36 3.6 Threats to coastal and marine fisheries .......................................................................................................37 3.7 Threats to brackish water fisheries and culture .........................................................................................38 3.8 Threats to coastal and marine biodiversity.................................................................................................38 3.9 Threats with transboundary effects..............................................................................................................38 4. ANALYSIS OF MAJOR CAUSES ASSOCIATED WITH THE THREATS TO COASTAL AND MARINE ENVIRONMENT AND ITS LIVING RESOURCES ..............................................................39 4.1 Causes associated with threats to coastal and marine environment .......................................................39 4.2 Pollution of surface and ground water ........................................................................................................45 4.3 Causes for degradation of coastal and marine habitats ............................................................................46 4.3.1Causes for degradation of coral reefs...............................................................................................................46 4.3.2Causees for degradation of seagrass beds.........................................................................................................47 4.3.3Causes for degradation of lagoons/estuaries......................................................................................................47 4.3.4 Causes for degradation of barrier beaches, spits and sand dunes..........................................................................48 4.4 Shoreline stability ...........................................................................................................................................48 4.4.1Coastal structures that interfere with the littoral transport...................................................................................48 4.4.2 Human activities that acclerataes erosion .........................................................................................................49 4.4.3 Development activities in the coastal zone........................................................................................................49 4.4.4 Development activities outside the coastal zone................................................................................................49 4.4.5 Impact of climate change................................................................................................................................51 4.4.6 Inadequate funds...........................................................................................................................................51 4.5 Causes of threats to marine fisheries .........................................................................................................52 4.5.1 Over-exploitation ..........................................................................................................................................52 4.5.2 Destructive fishing practices...........................................................................................................................52 4.5.3 Uncontrolled selective harvesting....................................................................................................................52 4.5.4 Poaching by foreign vessels and Inadequate MCS capabilities............................................................................52 4.5.5 Post harvest losses.........................................................................................................................................53 4.5.6 Non-target species in gillnet fisheries...............................................................................................................53 4.5.7 Exploitation of sharks....................................................................................................................................53 4.5.8 Inadequate management.................................................................................................................................53 i 4.6 Causes of threats to brackish water fisheries and aquaculture......................................................................56 4.6.1 Causes of threats to brackish water aquaculture........................................................................................................56 4.7 Causes of degradation of coastal and marine biodiversity...............................................................................58 4.8 Common causes for threats to coastal and marine environment and its living resources ..........................58 5. ASSESSMENT OF ON-GOING AND PLANNED ACTIVITIES TO ADDRESS THREATS (AND CAUSES) TO COASTAL AND MARINE ENVIRONMENT AND ITS LIVING RESOURCES ...........................................................................................................................................................63 5.1 Institutions and Legislation...................................................................................................................................63 5.2 Current Initiatives ...................................................................................................................................................66 5.2.1 Major initiatives to control coastal habitats .............................................................................................66 5.2.2 Policy initiatives in fisheries and aquaculture..........................................................................................70 5.2.3 Controlling oil pollution ..............................................................................................................................73 5.2.4 Initiatives for pollution control...................................................................................................................74 5.2.5 Alternatives to river sand.............................................................................................................................76 5.2.6 Review of on going and planned projects ...............................................................................................76