DefinePK

Abstract

This paper presents first report on new coral site to the north of Saint Martin’s Island, Bangladesh in the Bay of Bengal. Coral site was discovered on 31st December 2023 and monitoring was conducted from November 2023 to March 2024. SCUBA diving with underwater photography, videography and random survey method was followed to reconnoiter the site. This site located about 5 kms to the Northern side of the Saint Martin’s Island. The average depth was 10 meters. The coordinates were 20041’ 45’’N, 92019’22’’E. The area shows dominance with hard corals Favia sp. and corals associated fisheries. It was about 300 meter North to South and 200 m East to West. Bottom condition was rocky and sandy.  It is expected that the study creates a scope to further identify the coral coverage area in the Bay of Bengal and to know the sustainable coral associated environment and blue economy activity.