PHUKET: A team of divers from the Phuket Marine Biological Centre is heading for the environmental flashpoint of the Koh Samet oil spill, where they will asses the risk to nearby coral reefs and sea grasses.
With lies told about the destructive potential of the oil spill and doubts that the truth has been revealed about its scale, the six Phuket marine biologists aim to do their own accurate research.
Heading the team is Dr Nalinee Thongtham, who takes a proactive hands-on approach to all marine issues that involve protection of Thailand's undersea treasures.
She assessed the corals and sea grass around Koh Samet in a survey back in 1991, so she has a sound basis for comparison.
The beach on Koh Samet that took the brunt of the oil spill, Ao Prao, is still a disastrous mess today, with international media flying in to cover the spill as tourist visitors to the island head for home.
Closer to Phuket, Dr Nalinee led a team to inspect efforts to restore coral removed by a sea walking company from the reef around Khai Nai island, a day-trip haven.
''Everything seems to be coming on nicely,'' she said. ''The blue coral regrows quickly.''
It's alleged the sea walking company paid sea gypsies to remove about 300 square metres of coral to enable them to create a walkway on sand.
The sand walkway enables tourists with no swimming or diving skills to don a helmet, descend to the bottom and walk on the sand, with a hose delivering air.
The company involved is now claiming it had permission to destroy the coral in the protected area, with papers signed by an as-yet-unnamed Bangkok official.
Repair work on the denuded area began in May when Phuket divers helped Dr Nalinee to sink steel spikes and attach corals to the spikes.
The corals are now looking as though they will regrow rapidly, she says.
With lies told about the destructive potential of the oil spill and doubts that the truth has been revealed about its scale, the six Phuket marine biologists aim to do their own accurate research.
Heading the team is Dr Nalinee Thongtham, who takes a proactive hands-on approach to all marine issues that involve protection of Thailand's undersea treasures.
She assessed the corals and sea grass around Koh Samet in a survey back in 1991, so she has a sound basis for comparison.
The beach on Koh Samet that took the brunt of the oil spill, Ao Prao, is still a disastrous mess today, with international media flying in to cover the spill as tourist visitors to the island head for home.
Closer to Phuket, Dr Nalinee led a team to inspect efforts to restore coral removed by a sea walking company from the reef around Khai Nai island, a day-trip haven.
''Everything seems to be coming on nicely,'' she said. ''The blue coral regrows quickly.''
It's alleged the sea walking company paid sea gypsies to remove about 300 square metres of coral to enable them to create a walkway on sand.
The sand walkway enables tourists with no swimming or diving skills to don a helmet, descend to the bottom and walk on the sand, with a hose delivering air.
The company involved is now claiming it had permission to destroy the coral in the protected area, with papers signed by an as-yet-unnamed Bangkok official.
Repair work on the denuded area began in May when Phuket divers helped Dr Nalinee to sink steel spikes and attach corals to the spikes.
The corals are now looking as though they will regrow rapidly, she says.
Of course they can not save the coral reefs .... they can assess the damage only and maybe suggest a way to restore it in case it is indeed damaged by this oil spill.
Posted by Sailor on July 31, 2013 21:18