Artificial Reef, Jetski Ban, Zones To Save Racha

Today's summit meeting of interested parties on Racha to save the island's popular but endangered coral delivered an eight million baht artificial reef and a range of bans aimed at long-term protection of the unique Andaman environment.

The deals involve:

..protection of coral fish from theft

..a ban on jetskis and banana boats

..zoning for snorkellers and divers

..a ban on fishing trawlers within 300 metres of the island

The deal made between dive groups, fishermen, locals and resort owners is likely to be applied at other endangered reefs across the Andaman region.

- Full report at www.phuketwan.com