A Marine wetland of Natural origin located in the Dry Zone of the Eastern province. Pigeon Island National Park comprises of two small islands (Large and Small Pigeon Island ) and several rocky islets about 1 km offshore. Large Pigeon Island and some rocky islets contain fringing coral reefs while rocky habitats dominated by soft corals are present around Small Pigeon Island and surrounding areas. These coral reefs were some of the few not affected by the 1998 mass coral bleaching event, and contain extensive areas of healthy live coral and are some of the best remaining coral reefs in the country. The reefs are part of an extensive system of marine habitats in the Trincomalee area, and are some of the best examples of small island fringing reefs in the country. It is also possible that the reefs are an important source of coral larvae for other reefs in surrounding areas. Due to the security situation in the area the reefs were not extensively affected by human activities until recently.

Large Pigeon Island has two small beaches on the southwestern and northern flanks. The island is surrounded by a fringing coral reef which has developed on hard substrate, within a depth of 1 to 6m. The main reef is in front of the southwestern beach, and about 200m long and 100m wide. Scattered coral communities interspaced by rocky habitats are found around the island up to 15m. Small Pigeon Island is surrounded by rocky reef habitats interspersed with old limestone reef structures and sandy patches. There are several rock outcrops about 300-500m to the north, south and southeast of Large Pigeon Island. Coral Island is a small rocky outcrop about 500m north of Pigeon Island, and another rocky outcrop is located about 300m offshore. Fringing coral reefs have also developed on the northern and southern sides of Coral Island within a depth of 1-6m.

The main Pigeon Island reef has a live hard coral cover of around 74% dominated by branching and tabular Acropora spp. with some foliose Montipora spp. The rocky habitats have a coral cover of around 25% dominated by the families Faviidae, Mussidae and Poritidae. Extensive areas of soft corals (mainly Sinularia, Lobophyton and Sarcophyton spp.) are also present. The reef around Coral Island has a live hard coral cover of around 71% dominated by branching Acropora while colonies of Montipora, Porites, Galaxea, Favia, Favites, Platygyra and Leptoria are also common. Over 100 species of corals and more than 300 species of reef fish have been identified from the Trincomalee area, and many of these species are found within the Pigeon Island National Park.

Reef fish include the protected Labroides bicolor, Chlorurus rhakoura which is restricted to Sri Lanka, and the globally endangered Cheilinus undulates. Juvenile and adult Carcharhinus melanopterus are commonly seen around the shallow coral areas. Three species of globally endangered marine turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata, Chelonia mydas and Lepidochelys olivacea) visit the reef. Several species of birds visit the islands.

Reef areas have extensive turf algae while the island is dominated by dry zone scrub vegetation.

Fishing and ornamental fish collection occur. Many traditional fishing techniques are still in use, including fish traps within reef areas, and beach seine nets deployed along the mainland coast near Nilaveli. Nilaveli is an important tourist area and the islands are used for recreation purposes.

Destructive fishing practices, particularly the use of dynamite is causing extreme damage to reefs. Uncontrolled tourism has resulted in pollution, collection of corals and other marine organisms as souvenirs and physical damage to the reef from boat anchoring and reef walking. Extensive collection of ornamental species also affects populations of some fish species. The invasive Acanthaster planci is common in the area and may pose a threat if populations increase. An infestation of Acanthaster planci resulted in extensive coral mortality in the 1970?s, although the reefs have since recovered.

Pigeon Island National Park Related references