Coral patches discovered off Thiruvananthapuram coast require survey

A recent survey off the Thiruvananthapuram coast has revealed important coral patches on the seabed. The local marine research group, Friends of Marine Life (FML), discovered these coral formations at a depth of 22 meters, about 2.5 km from St Andrew’s beach. This finding comes amid ongoing debates about the Centre’s plans for offshore sand mining near Kollam. FML has been studying marine life in the area for over 12 years. However, this is the first time they have found such a large area of coral. Robert Panipilla, the chief coordinator of FML, stated that the coral patches were located on a platform reef known locally as ‘Thara Paaru.’ The survey discovered various coral species, including one, Dipsastraea favus, that has not been reported in Kerala before. Other species from the family Dendrophylliidae were also found. The study was prompted by a tip from a local fisherman, Thadeose. Panipilla emphasized the importance of seabed mapping for effective marine management. He called on the Kerala government to support detailed documentation of the region's marine biodiversity. This information is crucial for conservation efforts and managing fisheries. FML plans to conduct a more comprehensive study of the reef, working with the University of Kerala’s Aquatics Biology and Fisheries Department and other local organizations.