IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature

In the marine and coastal realm, IUCN focuses on a number of priority issues including marine and coastal habitats, threatened marine species, Integrated Coastal Zone Management, and Marine Protected Areas.

To date, IUCN Sri Lanka has been engaged in the conservation of two threatened groups of fauna - small cetaceans and marine turtles. At the invitation of the Department of Wildlife Conservation, IUCN Sri Lanka was instrumental in the preparation of a National Action Plan for Marine Turtle Conservation. Several stakeholder workshops were held to ensure that a collaborative consultative approach was used in the preparation of this important policy document. IUCN Sri Lanka also drew on the technical expertise provided by the Marine Turtle Specialist Group of the IUCN Species Survival Commission during the preparation of this plan. Another key achievement was the implementation of the project Conservation of Small Cetaceans in the south of Sri Lanka. The main objectives of this project were capacity building of law enforcement personnel and raising awareness among the consumer market networks and schools with regard to small cetacean conservation.

In coastal zone management, IUCN Sri Lanka has been involved in the implementation of three projects funded by the ADB, namely, the Coastal Resource Management project in the south and south western coasts of Sri Lanka , ADB Eastern Province Coastal Community Development project and the ADB Regional Technical Assistance project on Coastal and Marine Resource Management and Poverty Reduction in South Asia . These projects collectively focus on integrated coastal resource management, poverty alleviation and promotion of sustainable economic development of coastal fishing communities. In addition, comprehensive management plans for ten selected mangrove areas along the southwest coast of the island have also been completed. More recently, IUCN Sri Lanka has facilitated the implementation of a UNDP / GEF funded project; Conservation of Biodiversity in the Rekawa, Ussangoda, Kalametiya Coastal Ecosystems through Integrated Collaborative Management together with the Coast Conservation Department.

IUCN Sri Lanka is also involved in biodiversity assessments in marine and coastal ecosystems. Sub-tidal biodiversity assessments and subsequent monitoring have been carried out in Rekewa, Ussangoda, Kalametiya areas. Rapid assessments to document post tsunami condition of coral reefs were completed together with CORDIO (Coral Reef Degradation in the Indian Ocean Program), GCRMN (Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network) and NARA (National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency). IUCN Sri Lanka also participated in ecological assessments of the marine waters around Jaffna for the Sethusamuduram ship canal project in collaboration with NARA .

Several beach and reef cleanups to remove debris after the tsunami were also organized in partnership with the Sri Lanka Sub Aqua Club and NARA . A coral reef resource book to be used by teachers in secondary schools has also been published and disseminated.

IUCN Sri Lanka continues to work with CORDIO and GCRMN, as well as relevant national agencies to facilitate coral reef conservation in Sri Lanka . Future activities will include assessments of coral reefs to monitor the status of biodiversity and recovery after the tsunami as well as facilitating the Sri Lanka Coral Reef Forum . Several beach and reef cleanups have been planned and will attempt to promote greater participation of local communities in managing ecosystems.

Marine & Coastal Biodiversity Unit
Senior Programme Officer
Asha de Vos
adv@iucnsl.org

The Coastal Livelihood and Policy Unit (CLPU) was established as a unit of the CRMG. The major objective of the CLPU is to promote the sustainable use of coastal resources within coastal ecosystems, through the application and development of participatory coastal zone management approaches and practices, while addressing the issues related to livelihood and biodiversity. The unit also works to enhance awareness within the coastal community, as well as among key stakeholders at national and local level, to influence policymakers on the application of economic tools for conservation planning.

Coastal Livelihood and Policy Unit
Head
Kapila Gunarathne
kge@iucnsl.org