J. Praveen Paul Joseph Luxuriant: Gorgonids and Seagrass bed in Udangudi in coastal Manapad in Tuticorin district. Tuticorin: There is a rich patch of coral reefs, gorgonian (sea fan) and seagrass beds in the south off Tuticorin coast, according to a study conducted by Suganthi Devadason Marine Research Institute (SDMRI) here. The Gulf of Mannar in the southeast coast of the country is one of the productive coastal areas harbouring ecologically sensitive habitats like coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangroves. So far, almost all research work focusing coral reefs and seagrass beds was carried out in the Marine National Park and scanty studies were made between Tuticorin and Kanyakumari coastal area. The reef starts very near Punnakayal coastal area and runs parallel to the shore at about a distance of 4-10 km and extends up to Manapad coast at a depth about 4-15 m. The width of this reef is about 2 to 4 km, Institute Director J. K. Patterson Edward told The Hindu here on Thursday. In general, the reef was dominated by cup corals (turbinaria species) followed by branching and massive corals. A total of 29 species of cup, branching and massive corals were identified in the Punnakayal area. Besides healthy and dense gorgonians and seagrass beds were available in the area between 1 km and 4 km from the shore up to Manapad coast. The corals including gorgonids are protected species under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Livelihood support Fisherfolk from the coastal villages like Pazhayakayal, Punnakayal, Singithurai, Veerapandiyanpattinam, Alanthalai, Kulesekarapattinam and Manapd depend on this reef and seagrass area for their daily catch. Sardines, tuna, mullets, parrot fish, snappers, groupers, carangids, prawns, lobsters, crabs and cephalopods are commonly caught.