Essayer OR - Gratuit
Hambantota Port emerges as marine biodiversity hotspot with over 8 unique fish species
Daily FT
|September 08, 2025
A new baseline study by the Department of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, at Ocean University of Sri Lanka has revealed a thriving ecological marvel beneath the waters of Hambantota International Port (HIP).
-
Despite being an artificial breakwater, the reef at HIP now supports the highest diversity of reef-associated fish in Southern Sri Lanka, outperforming natural sites like Weligama, Polhena, and Thalaramba.
Using a standardised swim-timed transect method, covering areas of 5 by 20 meters at depths between 0.5 and 5 meters, researchers catalogued observed visual counts of fish by family and feeding behaviour. While Weligama and Polhena showed respectable biodiversity (with Shannon-Weiner Diversity Index scores of 1.8 and 1.6, respectively), they lagged behind HIP in both species richness and ecological balance. Thalaramba, once a promising site, recorded the lowest diversity (1.1).
HIP’s remarkable fish diversity at 2.3 on the SWD index isn't accidental, it’s sustained by a natural ecological balance rarely seen in similar coastal areas. A healthy population of herbivorous fish, such as surgeonfish and damselfish, play a vital role in this balance by feeding on fast-growing algae that can otherwise smother corals. Their presence allows coral species to thrive and recover naturally.
Cette histoire est tirée de l'édition September 08, 2025 de Daily FT.
Abonnez-vous à Magzter GOLD pour accéder à des milliers d'histoires premium sélectionnées et à plus de 9 000 magazines et journaux.
Déjà abonné ? Se connecter
PLUS D'HISTOIRES DE Daily FT
Daily FT
Global tourism giant Minor urges Sri Lanka to shift from price to value
Delivering keynote at CA Sri Lanka's 46th National Conference, Minor International Group CEO Dillip Rajakarier says Sri Lanka must move beyond discount-led tourism and invest in service and brand building, Warns that low prices erode GDP gains, calls for seamless infrastructure and skilled workforce
2 mins
October 09, 2025
Daily FT
Human + Al the next frontier in cyber defence
Experts at Daily FT-CICRA 11th annual Cyber Security Summit discuss how the human-Al alliance will redefine speed, precision, and judgment in cybersecurity
6 mins
October 09, 2025

Daily FT
Govt. says those who attempt to discredit CIABOC have vested interests
Cabinet Spokesman and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa defends appointment of Ranga
2 mins
October 09, 2025
Daily FT
OPA urges focused reforms in Budget 2026 to drive stability, growth and equity
Calls for National Investment Facilitation Authority and Digital Land Bank to attract FDI
5 mins
October 09, 2025
Daily FT
CSE trading from Disaster Recovery site tomorrow
THE Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) is to conduct a planned full day of trading from the Disaster Recovery site using the Automated Trading System Disaster Recovery Solution tomorrow (10).
1 min
October 09, 2025
Daily FT
Bank of Ceylon expands reach with 50 new ‘BOC Connect’ service centres
THE Bank of Ceylon (BOC), the nation’s leading financial institution, further strengthened its customer service network with the launch of 50 new ‘BOC Connect’ Agent banking service centres across the country.
2 mins
October 09, 2025
Daily FT
Sarvodaya Finance Rs. 2 b debenture issue snapped up on opening day
SARVODAYA Development Finance PLC's (SDF) Rs. 2 billion listed debenture issue wa snapped up on its opening day yesterday.
1 min
October 09, 2025
Daily FT
AllB provides $ 52 m to strengthen power transmission, renewable energy growth
THE Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the Government of Sri Lanka have signed a loan agreement for the Kerawalapitiya-Port L Second Transmission Line Project, under which AllB will provide $ 52 million in sovereign-backed financing to help Sri Lanka unlock its renewable energy potential and advance sustainable development.
1 mins
October 09, 2025

Daily FT
Matheesha and Lidiya crowned champs at Sri Lanka Badminton Novices in Ratnapura
MATHEESHA Perera and Lidiya Fonseka were crowned champions at the Sri Lanka Badminton Novices Championship 2025 which concluded on Thursday 2 October at the Deshabandhu Lt. Col. W. Wimaladasa Indoor Stadium in Kuruwita, Ratnapura.
3 mins
October 09, 2025
Daily FT
Sri Lanka charts bold AI future as inaugural National AI Expo & Conference 2025 concludes
Signals nation's rise as South Asian tech and innovation hub
2 mins
October 09, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size