Coral Reefs in Gulf of Mannar is degrading with fatser rate due to several environmental stress over the past few decades. Under this severe degredation phase, our work has observed significant coral recruitment at Hare Island and Manoli & Manoliputti Island of Gulf of Mannar. Occurrenc of new recruitment of corals increseas the live coral cover percentage upto 58.4% and 51.5% in both Islands respectively. The findings reported here that increased percentage of coral cover brings a new hope for the researcher to find out the possible driving forces to the successful post larval settlement and survival of the new recruits which results in better conservation and management plan for the coral reefs of GoM Marine National Park.
In 2021, a reef restoration programme was introduced to the selected sites of Palk Bay to improve coral nurseries and assist with the establishment of artificial reefs by implementing local coral transplantation. To monitor the growth and survival of transplanted corals, numerous fish assemblages have been observed in restoration sites which are positive sign of reef recovery and also enrich marine resources in Palk Bay. Photographic evidence of the fish assemblages were collected during surveys and detailed observations have been discussed in the present paper.
Aims: Present study aims to highlight an accidental death of a male Dwarf Sperm Whale scientifically known as Kogia sima which found to be as Least Concern (LC) as per IUCN Red List data. Kogia sima represents important higher trophics of marine ecosystem which faced the several threats and conservation need in Gulf of Mannar, India. Study Design: The study undertaken during extensive coral reef monitoring survey was carried out in Gulf of Mannar under the CRAM Project of National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR). The present report emphasize the Morphometric observation of the dead Kogia sima and try to find out possible cause of death by examining in situ investigation. Place and Duration of Study: The field study was taken in Vedalai Sea shore (N09°15.626’, E79°04.977’) under the Mandapam Union of Ramnathapuram District of Tamil Nadu. The male whale specimen was found on 5th May, 2019 lying dead on the sandy seashore. Methodology: Animal was photographed and morphological attributes were measured to identify the specimen. Several injuries have been highlighted in the paper which helps in investigating the cause of death. Results: The Dwarf Sperm Whale was infant and has mild damage on the mouth parts including scuff off skin from the body and severe blood clotting at major part of the right side near to pectoral fin. Death of this infant is not clear but it is assumed that the male infant has lost from his parents and came to the inshore area of Mandapam where it gets stuck with running boat or boulder rocks as this immature whale limits its diving capabilities. The necessary morphological characters and measures have been listed in Table 1. Conclusion: This unfortunate death clearly indicated that acute information on ecological behavior of Dwarf Sperm Whale is still under data collection stage in India and that previous conservation efforts in country must be reviewed in terms of role of local authorities, live stranded cetaceans and hunting or incidental killing which in future can build a road map for effective action plans to save this marine mammal.
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