Mustafa,-A.M.; Dwivedi,-S.N.; Warwadekar,-Y.M.; Abidi,-S.A.H.  
	Endangered coral reefs of Bay Islands and their 
	ornamental fishes.  PROCEEDINGS-OF-THE-SYMPOSIUM-ON-
	MANAGEMENT-OF-COASTAL-ECOSYSTEMS-AND-OCEANIC-RESOURCES-
	OF-THE-ANDAMANS. Singh,-N.T.;Gangwar,-B.;Rao,-
	G.C.;Soundararajan,-R.-eds. 1987. pp. 60-65.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands have rich coral reef formations, 
with fringing reefs on the eastern side and barrier reefs on 
the western side. During the present investigation an attempt 
has been made to assess the impact of multidisciplinary 
developmental activities on this fragile ecosystem. The data 
collected indicate that coral reefs around the islands are 
threatened. Out of the total of 2000 sq. km., corals in an 
area of about 360 sq. km. have been intensively damaged in 
shallow coastal waters. Reefs of these islands are yielding 
about 24,600 tonnes of edible and ornamental biota per annum. 
The area is fairly rich in ornamental fish and invertebrate 
resources.