This project is based in a rural fishing village located near the Bar Reef Sanctuary in the Kalpitiya peninsula of the north-western coastal segment of Sri Lanka. The village environment contains a diversity of coastal habitats such as sandy beaches, lagoon areas, coral reefs, sand dunes, mangroves, sea grass beds and salt marshes. The diverse coral reef system is located between 2 km and 8 km from the shoreline, and extends for approximately 40 km2.

The project is focused on building effective relationships and partnerships with the relevant stakeholders together with a better understanding of the existing livelihoods and dependency of the community on the coral reef resources. The field team has undertaken activities to develop confidence among the community on the opportunities other than fishing in the village.

The community is highly dependent on the Bar Reef, an area of high biodiversity with more than 200 species of fish and 120 coral species recorded. In addition to the degradation caused by natural impacts such as the 1998 mass coral bleaching event, human activities place considerable pressure on the reef system and associated environments. A combination of unsustainable fishing methods, overfishing, a lack of enforcement, and awareness of the importance and ecology of the reefs and the other coastal habitats poses a constant threat to many species inhabiting this area. These coastal communities are often highly populated and are prone to many natural disasters with minimum resilient levels. Poverty and lack of education of the communities have a huge impact on the already fragile coastal & marine resources. 

• Unforgettable underwater experience
• Get yourself PADI qualified - *can be arranged on request
• Bar reef which has the greatest biodiversity of all coral reefs around India
• Access to Kite surf in Kalpitiya
• Witness Dolphins & whales
• Live with a local family and work alongside the fishing community
• Try out our local recipes
• Close proximity to Wilpattu National Park
• Cycle around the rural fishing village