Results of the Austrian-Ceylonese hydrobiological mission 1970 of the 1st Zoological Institute University of Vienna (Austria) and the Department of Zoology of the University of Ceylon, Vidyalankara Campus, Kelaniya (Sri Lanka). Pt 17. The freshwater gastropods of Ceylon

In the present study the specimens collected by the Austrian-Ceylones hydrobiological mission 1970 are described. The freshwater gastropods in this study were collected from 100 different localities, mostly running waters, but some were also collected from stagnant waters like pools, irrigated paddy fields, swamps and water reservoirs (tanks). Listed from these localities are 31 species (and subspecies) 28 species are Streptoneura (=Prosobranchia), 3 species are Euthyneura-Pulmonata Basommatophora.

Results of the Austrian-Ceylonese hydrobiological mission 1970 of the 1st Zoological Institute University of Vienna (Austria) and the Department of Zoology of the Vidyalankara University of Ceylon, Kelaniya. Pt 18. Freshwater musssels bivalvia

Till now there have been only two families of Bivalves with four genera known from freshwater in Ceylon. The material used for this study consists of members of three genera. This study deals with the family Unionidae, the family Corbiculidae is only represented by one specimen.

Results of the Austrian-Ceylonese hydrobiological mission 1970 of the Institute of Zoology of the University of Vienna (Austria) and the Department of Zoology of the University of Sri Lanka, Vidyalankara Campus, Kelaniya. Pt. 19. Aquatic and semiaquatic Hemiptera of Sri Lanka from the Austrian Indo-Pacific expedition, 1970-71

This report concerns the aquatic and semiaquatic Hemiptera collected in Sri Lanka by Prof. Starmühlner and Prof. Costa during November and December 1970. A surprising number of new species have been found in the Starmühlner-Costa material, even in groups for which comprehensive revisions exist. Seven new species are described here.

Status of the biodiversity of St. Martin's Island, Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh

A total of 234 species of fish have been recorded from the St Martin Island. Of which, 98 species are coral associated. The total number of recorded mollusc and crab species stands at 187 and 7 species respectively. A total of 66 coral species were recorded, of which 19 are fossil corals, 36 living corals and the rest are under 6 families of subclass Octocorallia (soft corals). A total of 14 species of algae have been recorded from the St. Martin's Island. There is an estimated amount of 1500 MT red sea weed biomass available around the St. Martin's Island. The island contains some of the most unique, benthic community associations in Bangladesh, not found anywhere else in the South Asian region. The unique marine communities have very high scientific value for research and monitoring and there are only a few examples worldwide, where coral-algal communities dominate rocky reefs. The economy of the island is based on fishing. It is estimated that, about 1650 MT of fish are caught annually. Over-exploitation of renewable marine and coastal resources (e.g., rocky reef fisheries, coral and shell extraction; removal of coastal vegetation from inter-tidal and sub-tidal habitats) is a major threat to this ecosystem. Destructive fishing practices, mainly the use of rock-weighted gill nets over the inshore boulder reefs is of prime aggravates. Proper implementation of the rules and regulation for Ecologically Critical Areas (ECA's), alternative livelihood for the local people and further research should be immediately taken for sustainable utilization and to save the rich biodiversity of the only coral island in Bangladesh.

Report of the SocMon capacity development workshop for the Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem countries in South Asia, St Martin's Island, Bangladesh, 2-11 January, 2015

Socio-economic Monitoring (SocMon) is an approach and set of tools for conducting socio-economic monitoring of changes in coastal communities. Planned outputs of the workshop included: training of local staff i SocMon methodologies; draft a SocMon report for St. Martin's Island; a workplan for implementing the SocMon; a communication strategy; and key inputs to a regional SocMon strategy

Socio-economic monitoring report for St Martin's Island, Bangladesh

This report was based on fieldwork conducted by trainees at the Socio-economic Monitoring (SocMon) workshop held at St Martin's Island. Topics included: community infrastructure; educational services; health services; water and sewerage; coastal and marine activities; material style of life; status of women; governance; and perceptions