PHUKET: The Director of the Phuket Marine Biological Centre hopes to talk to authorities in the fishing and tourism industries with the aim of better protecting the Phuket region's marine life.
Ukrit Satapoomin made his comment after the burial of a seven-metre whale shark on a beach at Koh Lanta.
The large whale shark died on the same weekend that a sick dolphin and three maimed turtles died as marine biologists at the Phuket centre tried to nurse them back to health.
Marine deaths and maimings have prompted debate about what needs to happen to preserve Phuket's coral reefs and beaches and the creatures that inhabit the waters around them.
The growth in the tourism industry - with more boats and garbage going into the sea - and the fishing industry are blamed for the perception that more marine creatures are now being needlessly killed or maimed.
The Director Of the Phuket Provincial Fisheries Office, Kawi Saranakhomkun, said today that trawlers were well aware of the 3000 metre protected zone around Thailand's coast and did not fish within it.
''Our members operate within the law and every year we hold meetings to remind the captains that they must release endangered animals caught in their nets.''
Khun Kawi said he believed that tourism did far more harm to the Phuket region's marine life than fishing.
''Our industry causes minor damage compared to plastic trash that chokes the animals to death,'' he said. ''There are also more tourist vessels operating within the 3000 metre protected zone than ever before.
''This inevitably leads to propellors hitting the turtles.''
Biological Centre Director Khun Ukrit believes that businesses and local administrations on Phuket have to first take care of all bad water before releasing it into the sea.
''Once that is done, the coastal environment will improve,'' he said. ''Fortunately, Phuket is blessed in some ways by having strong currents that provide some relief.''
He says there are strong economic arguments why the fishing industry needs to be preserved and efforts to change the approach needed to be carried out within those limitations.
''I hope to be able to hold some talks aimed at reducing the toll on marine life,'' he said. ''But there is only so much we can do because the laws are plain.''
More local politicians are using the word ''sustainability'' without necessarily being empowered to achieve it.
Phuketwan has suggested that a Phuket Beach Authority needs to be created to protected all beaches from the rapid damage occurring because of privatisation and pollution.
Meanwhile, the whale shark has been buried on a beach on Koh Lanta. Once the bones have been stripped clean, marine biologists hope to dig up the skeleton for display.
Ukrit Satapoomin made his comment after the burial of a seven-metre whale shark on a beach at Koh Lanta.
The large whale shark died on the same weekend that a sick dolphin and three maimed turtles died as marine biologists at the Phuket centre tried to nurse them back to health.
Marine deaths and maimings have prompted debate about what needs to happen to preserve Phuket's coral reefs and beaches and the creatures that inhabit the waters around them.
The growth in the tourism industry - with more boats and garbage going into the sea - and the fishing industry are blamed for the perception that more marine creatures are now being needlessly killed or maimed.
The Director Of the Phuket Provincial Fisheries Office, Kawi Saranakhomkun, said today that trawlers were well aware of the 3000 metre protected zone around Thailand's coast and did not fish within it.
''Our members operate within the law and every year we hold meetings to remind the captains that they must release endangered animals caught in their nets.''
Khun Kawi said he believed that tourism did far more harm to the Phuket region's marine life than fishing.
''Our industry causes minor damage compared to plastic trash that chokes the animals to death,'' he said. ''There are also more tourist vessels operating within the 3000 metre protected zone than ever before.
''This inevitably leads to propellors hitting the turtles.''
Biological Centre Director Khun Ukrit believes that businesses and local administrations on Phuket have to first take care of all bad water before releasing it into the sea.
''Once that is done, the coastal environment will improve,'' he said. ''Fortunately, Phuket is blessed in some ways by having strong currents that provide some relief.''
He says there are strong economic arguments why the fishing industry needs to be preserved and efforts to change the approach needed to be carried out within those limitations.
''I hope to be able to hold some talks aimed at reducing the toll on marine life,'' he said. ''But there is only so much we can do because the laws are plain.''
More local politicians are using the word ''sustainability'' without necessarily being empowered to achieve it.
Phuketwan has suggested that a Phuket Beach Authority needs to be created to protected all beaches from the rapid damage occurring because of privatisation and pollution.
Meanwhile, the whale shark has been buried on a beach on Koh Lanta. Once the bones have been stripped clean, marine biologists hope to dig up the skeleton for display.
"Phuketwan has suggested that a Phuket Beach Authority needs to be created to protected all beaches from the rapid damage occurring because of privatisation and pollution."
So you keep saying, especially when you are rubbishing your readers' alternative suggestions.
Who exactly have you made this suggestion to, and what have you done to follow up?
Posted by stu on October 16, 2012 12:51
Editor Comment:
There have been no alternative solutions proposed with any chance of working. All Phuket's beaches need the same clarity and consistency applied and enforced. That can only come with one set of rules for all, and with the income from commercial activities directed to maintain, protect and safeguard all beaches. We don't ''rubbish readers' alternatives''. So far there haven't been any.
As we've said more than once, we're advocates, not activists. The people of Phuket have to decide whether they want their beaches back.