Successful restoration of smuggled corals in the Gulf of Mannar, Southeast India

On account of their critical importance, corals are protected in India under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, Govt. of India. In spite of that, reports of coral smuggling arise from the Indian reef areas, sporadically. Corals being delicate animals, the restoration of corals seized from smugglers is difficult because of the delay involved in legal proceedings, transportation and the fragile nature of the corals. The present study reports the first successful effort in restoring seized live corals in the Gulf of Mannar, Southeast India. Fifty fragments of seized corals belonging to nine genera have been successfully transplanted on perforated trapezoidal artificial reefs deployed around Vaan Island of the Gulf of Mannar with an average survival rate of 62 % after 22 months. The growth rate of these surviving transplants ranged between 1.28±0.12 and 8.56±0.11 cm year-1. The present attempt sets an example in the enforcement history of India, where sensitive marine organisms like corals can be saved after seizure if conservation authorities and researchers work together. However, proper network and coordination between these is critical to restore delicate marine organisms if seized alive.