Coral bleaching forces closures of Prachuap Khiri Khan’s best snorkeling locations

[webfact]

Officials have announced the closure of snorkeling activities around Ko Chan and Ko Thai See due to coral bleaching, effective June 11.

 

The head of Hat Wanakorn National Park, Suporn Phonpan, stated that recent monitoring efforts have revealed significant coral bleaching in the shallow reefs surrounding these islands. The phenomenon, exacerbated by June’s low sea levels, poses a threat to the marine ecosystem and presents safety risks for tourists.

 

“To prevent further ecological damage and ensure the safety of visitors, we have decided to temporarily close Ko Chan and Ko Thai See to all diving and snorkeling activities,” Phonpan said.

 

The closures are intended to allow the coral reefs time to recover. Park officials will monitor the situation and announce the reopening of these areas once the bleaching subsides and sea levels rise to safer levels.

 

By Online Reporter  
Ko Chan in the Hat Wanakon National Park.

 

Full story: HUA HIN TODAY 2024-06-04

 

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[JoePai]

Sorry 'head of Hat Wanakorn National Park, Suporn Phonpan' but coral bleaching does not "present safety risks for tourists"

[Tropicalevo]

1 hour ago, JoePai said:

Sorry 'head of Hat Wanakorn National Park, Suporn Phonpan' but coral bleaching does not "present safety risks for tourists"

Agreed

2 hours ago, webfact said:

The closures are intended to allow the coral reefs time to recover.

 

And closing the area will do nothing for the coral's recovery.

Bleaching is a natural phenomenon. Only nature can fix it.

But hey - it makes the park folk look like they know what they are doing.

[paulbrow]

Seems counterproductive. Swimmers and snorkelers would actually provide some intermittent shade for the coral, while removing them will increase the sun exposure. As stated above, only nature can fix this, or float some sort of shade on the surface over the coral reefs to provide shade (doesn't sound terribly doable considering water surface movement).

[hotchilli]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

The head of Hat Wanakorn National Park, Suporn Phonpan, stated that recent monitoring efforts have revealed significant coral bleaching in the shallow reefs surrounding these islands. The phenomenon, exacerbated by June’s low sea levels, poses a threat to the marine ecosystem and presents safety risks for tourists.

 

“To prevent further ecological damage and ensure the safety of visitors, we have decided to temporarily close Ko Chan and Ko Thai See to all diving and snorkeling activities,” Phonpan said.

Maybe in his capacity of head of the national park he can explain how taking the measures he has of closing the area will help anything?

[richard_smith237]

I thought everyone was rattling on about sea-level rise.... 

 

... So its see level drop which is now the concern... 

 

 

The only part I did understand is the 'risk to tourists' who when snorkeling over corals and the sea level is too low face greater risk of getting 'scratched / cut' by the corals over which the now swim in closer proximity too... 

 

 

I have no idea how 'tourism' could impact coral bleaching... extreme low tides can, an increase in water temperature can, pollutants from the fishing and shipping industry as well as polluting run-off from the land can all cause damage.... 

 

IMO - its time the 'anti-tourist' puritans in this area concentrate on the genuine issues - i.e. pollutants and run-off in areas of pronounced fertiliser usage and enhanced nitrogen fixation due to elevated phosphate influxes etc... the pollutants from the fishing industry....   (instead of going apoplectic when one tourist is seen spear fishing a non-protected species in the area)