Coral patches in Hikkaduwa occur as a fringing reef between the Coral Garden Hotel and the Fishery Harbour Groyne. Coral patches are also located around the Hikkaduwa rocky islets in front of 'the Coral (Garden Hotel. These coral patches which are within the marine sanctuary were surveyed by the National Aquatic Resources Agency in 1985, primarily to determine the status of the coral reef and to determine the causes of reef degradation.
The survey indicated the status of the coral reef in terms of Live coral cover, abundance of reef fish and the level of degradation.
Line transects were carried out within the reef lagoon to determine the live coral cover, dead coral and the extent of the reef substrate. Initially, metal pegs were driven into the reef to be used in permanent transects. However, fixing permanent transects was aborted due to the removal of metal pegs by snorkelers and other visitors to the area.
Based on results from the initial survey, a management plan was prepared for the Hikkaduwa Marine Sanctuary. The management plan recommended dividing the coral reef area into three zones.which includes two general use zones and one research zone (Fig.l).
During a meeting, of the Hikkaduwa .Marine Park Committee,' held at the AGA's office Hikkaduwa, the coral reef research team of NARA was requested to carry out a survey to update the management plan, if necessary, and to submit a report of the present status of the coral reefs within the Hikkaduwa Marine Sanctuary.
This survey was carried out in February 1992, to determine the present status of the coral reef and to identify any changes in the user patterns within the three zones of the marine sanctuary.