A joint operation by the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources and volunteer divers has successfully removed a massive 338kg ghost net entangling a coral reef near Rin Island in Chonburi’s Sattahip district. The mission, conducted on January 17th, aimed to restore the ecosystem and protect marine life.

 

Driven by reports from concerned divers, the department mobilized seven diving teams to tackle the issue. In an underwater survey, they discovered a 70-meter long, 10-meter wide net spanning an area of over 700 square meters.

 

The teams meticulously cut the net into smaller pieces before carefully lifting it to the surface to minimize damage to the surrounding coral. However, the extensive net had already inflicted damage on roughly 70 square meters of the reef, causing coral bleaching and white patching. Additionally, sea flowers and ground animals were found entangled and suffocated within the net. Recognizing the urgency, the team immediately initiated a restoration plan.

 

By Tanakorn Panyadee

 

Full story: The Pattaya News 2024-01-18

 

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i hope they used sharp knives, whenever i see videos of rescues needing cutting they always pull out a blunt knife

Good work.

Nothing in the report about how such a large net got spread out there to begin with. 

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

a massive 338kg ghost net

How does one net a ghost?

 

'The teams meticulously cut the net into smaller pieces before carefully lifting it to the surface' - where each piece was carefully weighed to reach the 338kg weight above.

3 hours ago, thesetat said:

Nothing in the report about how such a large net got spread out there to begin with. 

 

Indeed.

 

Bearing in mind that if you touch coral or feed an endangered fish as a foreign tourist, there's hell to pay.

3 hours ago, thesetat said:

Nothing in the report about how such a large net got spread out there to begin with. 

Many fishing boats loose their nets every day, one not so long ago got caught in a KC ferry propeller, in choppy seas causing passengers to be off loaded by the RTN leaving behind vehicles on board, only then was it towed back to shore.

Sadly too late, maybe a marine section which should check frequently for this?

Wonder how long this was in the water.

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