THAILAND will begin closing dive sites at seven ''hot spot'' coral reef marine parks - six off Phuket and the Andaman Coast - from tomorrow, intending to keep the sites closed for up to five years.
Closures include 18 diving sites at popular tourist destinations, among them the Similan Islands, Surin Islands and Phi Phi.
The dramatic move was announced tonight by the Director of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Planned Conservation, Sunan Aroonnopparat following a meeting in Bangkok that included marine biologists and researchers.
The verdict will bring consternation among Phuket and Andaman dive operators who mostly do not see how continued diving inhibits or disturbs renewed coral growth.
An exceptionally hot period in 2010 maintained water temperature at a high level for so long that 50 percent of corals or more in some areas died from bleaching.
Khun Sunan said tonight that the closures, which could be wound back within three years depending on coral regrowth, would ensure the coral reefs recovered.
The ban on diving would also assist any potential bid by Thailand for UN World Heritage listing for Phuket and the Andaman region, based on its marine treasures, he said.
The list of diving sites where divers could from tomorrow incur a penalty of between 1000 baht and 10,000 baht is:
In Phang Nga province - Mo Koh Surin Island, Ao Sutep, Ao Mai Ngam, Koh Ster, Ao Pakkard; Mo Koh Similan, East of Eden, Ao Faiwab.
In Krabi province - Nopparat Thara Park, Phi Phi, Hin Klang.
In Satun province - Hat Chao Mai National Park, Koh Cher; Mu Ko Phetra National Park, Koh Bulon Mai Pai, Koh Bulon Don; Koh Tarutao National Park, Kohtakiang, Koh Hin Ngam, Koh Rawi, Koh Dong.
In Chumporn province - At Mo Koh Chumporn, Koh Maprao. (in the Gulf of Thailand)
A large number of diving companies centred on Khao Lak in Phang Nga are planning to meet on January 26 and expected to express dissatisfaction with aspects of the marine bans.
The dive companies are: Khao Lak Scuba Adventures; Sea Dragon Dive Center Khao Lak; IQ Dive; Liquid Adventures; Similan Diving Safari; Octavia; Big Blue Khao Lak; Wicked Diving Khao Lak; Kompas Dive Center; Geo Dive; Kon Tiki Khao Lak; Sea Bees Khao Lak; Wetzone Dive Center; Siam Adventure Divers; Private Holiday Dive Center.
Don't Pick On Us, Say Phuket, Andaman Ban DiversClosures include 18 diving sites at popular tourist destinations, among them the Similan Islands, Surin Islands and Phi Phi.
The dramatic move was announced tonight by the Director of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Planned Conservation, Sunan Aroonnopparat following a meeting in Bangkok that included marine biologists and researchers.
The verdict will bring consternation among Phuket and Andaman dive operators who mostly do not see how continued diving inhibits or disturbs renewed coral growth.
An exceptionally hot period in 2010 maintained water temperature at a high level for so long that 50 percent of corals or more in some areas died from bleaching.
Khun Sunan said tonight that the closures, which could be wound back within three years depending on coral regrowth, would ensure the coral reefs recovered.
The ban on diving would also assist any potential bid by Thailand for UN World Heritage listing for Phuket and the Andaman region, based on its marine treasures, he said.
The list of diving sites where divers could from tomorrow incur a penalty of between 1000 baht and 10,000 baht is:
In Phang Nga province - Mo Koh Surin Island, Ao Sutep, Ao Mai Ngam, Koh Ster, Ao Pakkard; Mo Koh Similan, East of Eden, Ao Faiwab.
In Krabi province - Nopparat Thara Park, Phi Phi, Hin Klang.
In Satun province - Hat Chao Mai National Park, Koh Cher; Mu Ko Phetra National Park, Koh Bulon Mai Pai, Koh Bulon Don; Koh Tarutao National Park, Kohtakiang, Koh Hin Ngam, Koh Rawi, Koh Dong.
In Chumporn province - At Mo Koh Chumporn, Koh Maprao. (in the Gulf of Thailand)
A large number of diving companies centred on Khao Lak in Phang Nga are planning to meet on January 26 and expected to express dissatisfaction with aspects of the marine bans.
The dive companies are: Khao Lak Scuba Adventures; Sea Dragon Dive Center Khao Lak; IQ Dive; Liquid Adventures; Similan Diving Safari; Octavia; Big Blue Khao Lak; Wicked Diving Khao Lak; Kompas Dive Center; Geo Dive; Kon Tiki Khao Lak; Sea Bees Khao Lak; Wetzone Dive Center; Siam Adventure Divers; Private Holiday Dive Center.
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and will they stop the fishermen? The Sea Gypsies?
Posted by Vfaye on January 20, 2011 22:31
Editor Comment:
The sea gypsies have been there for a very long time and their numbers fail to match those of the tourists. The fishermen certainly need to be stopped.