Tokyo Cement, Blue Resources Trust, SL Navy Diving Unit partner to monitor coral reefs

Coral reefs are among the most diverse natural ecosystems on earth. Despite encompassing less than 1% of the oceans, they are home to a quarter of all marine species. Coral reefs provide many important services in the form of coastal protection, food security, recreation and livelihoods, supporting extensive fisheries and tourism industries across many tropical coastal nations.

However, coral reefs are increasingly threatened by human activities and many reefs have already been lost or are being degraded at an alarming rate. Coral reef degradation is already having significant long-term impacts on many coastal communities and economies. Coral bleaching and subsequent coral die-offs related to increased temperatures has become a major threat to coral reef ecosystems.

Coral bleaching is the process where the corals lose their colour and turn completely white. This is triggered by changes in ocean temperature, light, or level of nutrients that give the algae living on coral colonies a distinct colour. At present, a major coral bleaching event has led to extensive coral die off across the Indian and Pacific Oceans including Sri Lanka. One third of the iconic northern Great Barrier Reef in Australia is being reported as dead due to the recent coral bleaching event, and many reefs in Sri Lanka, especially along the northern, western and southern coastal regions have been badly affected.

Understanding the impact and the recovery process of reefs is important in both developing sound management of conservation efforts as well in increasing the resilience of reefs to withstand and recover from such events. Long-term data is critical in understanding patterns in reef recovery as well as documenting the human impact on coral reefs. Such data can help adapt conservation management strategies that take into account changes in the ecosystem. 

In Sri Lanka, the main constraint to collect long-term data over extensive areas is the lack of trained personnel and resources. Therefore, it is important to establish a network of divers comprised of various backgrounds or expertise, to expand the reach of reef monitoring. 

In this light, Tokyo Cement recently established a partnership with the Sri Lanka Navy and the marine research organisation Blue Resources Trust to establish a reef monitoring and conservation initiative. As the first step, Blue Resources conducted a coral reef survey methods and basic scientific diving training workshop for 16 navy divers at the SLNS ‘Kashyapa’ based in Mankerni.

Through a series of lectures and practical exercises the Navy divers were introduced to globally-standardised underwater survey methods to monitor the growth or expansion of coral reefs. The Navy divers were trained in fish, coral and invertebrate identification and how to carry out underwater surveys of coral reefs in line with internationally accepted methods.

Speaking at the conclusion of the successful week-long workshop, Blue Resources Co-Founder, Marine Biologist Nishan Perera said, “It is exciting to be involved in public and private sector partnerships that will help improve the capacity for marine research and conservation. The knowledge and enthusiasm of the navy divers was also a motivating factor for us as trainers.”

The Sri Lanka Navy plays a vital role in marine conservation and enforcement of marine and coastal regulations, and the navy commander, Vice Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne has taken on many initiatives in line with the national cause. SLN has already undertaken coral reef surveys and increased surveillance to deter illegal fishing activities. The SLN is now focusing on coral conservation and reef rehabilitation in collaboration with Tokyo Cement. 

This workshop is the first phase of this collaboration and the SLN has committed to continue working hand in hand with Tokyo Cement in this important endeavour and contribute its resources and time to achieve the goals. The support of SLN and the enthusiasm of the navy divers was a major factor in making the workshop a success.

The long-term aim of the workshop is to expand reef monitoring and research through the network of Navy divers stationed across the country. By using standardised data collection methods, it would be possible to analyse the data and compare with other locations, in Sri Lanka or anywhere else in the world. This is useful in understanding impacts on coral reefs over a period of time. In addition, it may also assist in using the wide-ranging expertise of the Navy in improving marine conservation and surveillance of illegal fishing around coral reefs.

The training will also be utilised to strengthen the impact of another Tokyo Cement Group initiative in partnership with the Wildlife Research and Conservation Trust (WRCT) to rehabilitate degraded reefs. Tokyo Cement uses recycled TOKYO SUPERMIX; their brand of ready mix concrete to create artificial structures called Reef Balls that are used as substrate for new corals to settle on. The Navy will support this initiative by assisting with the deployment and monitoring of coral growth on the Reef Balls.

The workshop was funded by the Tokyo Cement Group and organised by Blue Resources. The Sri Lanka Navy hosted the event at SLNS ‘Kashyapa’ in Mankerni. Additional diving support was provided by Island Scuba Ltd. Developing this innovative partnership between government institutions, commercial, and research organisations is useful in bridging the gap in marine research and conservation in Sri Lanka. It is hoped that improved data collection will in turn lead to more scientifically informed policy decisions that can ensure the sustainable use of marine resources the country is blessed with. 

Tokyo Cement Group took the lead in forming this far-reaching public-private partnership as part of the many environmental conservation initiatives the company has undertaken. These include the mangroves reforestation program, where the company collaborates, again, with the Sri Lank Navy to replant mangrove saplings along the Eastern coastline of Sri Lanka. The company’s commitment to social responsibility breathes life through initiatives such as this, whereby they successfully integrate social welfare and environmental conservation into its corporate DNA as part of their continuous mission to enrich the country, its people and the environment.