Study on the status of corals in Palk Bay, Southeast coast of India during 2007-2013

Present study consists the status of corals in Palk Bay, conducted during 2007-2013. Corals are distributed in four sites (Mandapam north, Pamban, Thangachimadam and Olakuda) in Southern Palk Bay. The overall live coral cover was 30.78, 29.64 and 28.24% respectively during July 2007, September 2009 and April 2013. A sharp decrease in the live coral cover was observed in Mandapam north from 34.18 to 22.62% during the study period and an increase of algae from 14.88 to 31.52% was also recorded. The overall disease prevalence increased from 15.28% to 17.32% between 2009 and 2013. A complete stretch of Acropora cytherea in Mandapam north was dead because of the black band disease and the area is now dominated by macro algae. The other anthropogenic factors including destructive fishing practices, cultivation of exotic seaweed, Kappaphycus alvarezii, and elevated temperature pose threat to corals in Palk bay.