Despite the efforts being made to conserve the Bar Reef, it has come under threat due to growing economic activities in Kalpitiya area. Traditionally, fisheries in the lagoon and surrounding coastal areas were the major livelihoods of local people. In addition limited number of people engaged in diving and collection of sea cucumber, chanks and ornamental fish species. Beyond the coastal zone, commercial agriculture is thriving in inland areas of the Kalpitiya Peninsula. Resource exploitation has increased over the years, and presently there are large number of fishermen and scuba divers harvesting many different species for local consumption and for export. Over-exploitation
of living marine resources and habitat destruction due to the use of destructive fishing methods and over-exploitation of sea food resources are major issues.