Bassas De Pedra, Cora Divh and Sesostris Bank are group of submerged coral reefs off coastal Karnataka. These submerged reefs were named by the Survey of India.
- The College of Fisheries, Mangaluru, has urged the Government of India to notify these coral reefs as ecologically sensitive and treat them on par with Lakshadweep Islands and eco-sensitive areas under the Wild Life Protection Act.
- As per the Survey of India map these coral reefs are about 120 nautical miles (about 220 km) from Mangaluru.
- These reefs may be the extension of Lakshadweep Islands towards the north from the Lakshadweep waters.
- Submerged reefs are at a height of around 40 m-50 m from the sea bed. Some of the catches that have not been recorded on the Karnataka coast are being observed along these reefs.
- The reefs are known to harbour some of the endangered species such as sharks, spotted skates and rays, lobsters, shells which are listed under Schedule I of the Wild Life Protection Act.
(Source: The Hindu)
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