Diving Sites In Thailand To Be Closed For A Month

[snorkelador]

"Sea temperatures being higher than normal for an extended period of time and you have a mass bleaching," - really and would you care to cite your source for that re- the Similans?

Dude, honestly - go fishing!

[Deeral]

Can someone tell me which report states that it is "MASS BLEACHING"?

[snorkelador]

Can someone tell me which report states that it is "MASS BLEACHING"?

What do you need a report for as proof of something that is pretty much common knowledge? If you had any founded knowledge on the topic, you would not have to ask those silly questions in the first place!

[media100]

If you want to see what is happening in the ocean, I filmed a short documentary on Koh Tao's reefs in the middle of last year.

Unfortunately I can't link the video as I have only just registered, but if you go to:

youtube/ecokohtao its called Cause and Effect.

Cheers

[AleG]

"Sea temperatures being higher than normal for an extended period of time and you have a mass bleaching," - really and would you care to cite your source for that re- the Similans?

The high water temperatures in the region are well documented, for example by the NOAA, here's a snapshot of conditions on May/August 2010.

You can follow the progression of the bleaching conditions in the Analysis of October 2010 Thermal Stress and Seasonal Guidance Through February 2011 web page.

As a personal sample I've read the report from a diver regarding water temperatures in Koh Tao, the maximums for this past year in August (or May, can't recall precisely) where 31 degrees at over 35 meters depth in the Chumporn pinnacle, for the same period in 2009 I logged a temperature of 26 degrees at the same spot; 5 degrees is a very significant variation.

Edited January 21, 2011 by AleG

[media100]

I personally logged 34 degrees on mutiple dives over a few weeks last year on Koh Tao. It was not comfortable diving...

[Spalpeen]

Most postas started fro the premise that temperature was the sole cause of bleaching - wrongyour post - wrong

I dive the reefs in Thailand all year round.

When I go diving my dive computer measures and records the water temperature.

Now most of the time the corals just get on with their business.

When temperatures reach 30C or higher the corals start to bleach.

When water temperature drops below 30C again they recover.

.

It really is a no-brainer. Bleaching is caused by sea temperatures alone and not the presence of divers.

[AleG]

I personally logged 34 degrees on mutiple dives over a few weeks last year on Koh Tao. It was not comfortable diving...

34 degrees! Tom Yum Nak Dumnaam...

[LanceWagner]

Not sure how the Thai government got information that they should close dive spots because Boats cause bleaching. The reefs are being bleached worldwide due mostly to temp,silt or pollution. Unless the boats are dumping they can have no adverse affects. Even where i live in Hawaii we have bleaching on the reefs and dive activity is virually non-existent in these areas.

[cdnvic]

Petty personal attacks and responses removed. If you can't discuss the subject without them, please stick to reading.

[webfact]

Dive closures don't go far enough: conservationist

By The Nation

The founder of the For Sea Foundation (FSF) is urging authorities to close dive sites in more national marine parks on the Andaman Sea, claiming the recent closure of 18 sites in seven parks does not go far enough.

The National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department on Thursday announced the measure, which is intended to allow coral reefs bleached by high sea temperatures time to recover.

But in an article titled "Coral Bleaching: Stop Damage and Recover the Rest", FSF founder and Prime Minister's Office secretary Vittayen Muttamara wrote that scientific studies had identified more sites in the Andaman that had been severely damaged by bleaching.

The data, which were used by the department in its decision to close the parks, were collected from the middle of last year.

Vittayen said the studies showed coral reefs in Surin National Marine Park and on the east coast of Similan Island were severely damaged, but the department had closed only two sites in those parks.

"The department should urgently survey all coralreef sites and update their database to decide which sites they should close," Vittayen wrote in the article.

To reduce the impact on the tourism industry, the department has closed only sites that have been severely damaged.

Vittayen said this was nonsense, reasoning that tourists would no longer visit coral reefs that had been even partially damaged by bleaching. Instead, they would visit other sites such as Turutao Island and Adang Rawi Island where the reefs are still in good condition.

Vittayen suggested the department also draft measures to protect sites where coral reefs were still in good condition. "If there are no strong measures to prevent damage, the coral reefs will absolutely, 100 per cent be destroyed."

The department should close all diving sites where coral reefs are damaged and issue measures to control tourists, he said.

For example, the department should not allow snorkelling at coralreef sites, he said. It should control the standard of tourist boats entering national marine parks, announce fees to charge tourists for diving and declare the income it collects from the fees, he said.

Akaraphon Changkon, owner of a diving company in Phang Nga province's Khura Buri district, said his business had been damaged by the closures. All of his customers have cancelled planned visits to coralreef sites, he said.

"We are all in shock about the measures," he said, claiming they were decided without consultation. "Closing diving sites at this time has had the worst impact on us."

Divingbusiness owners are discussing what they will do to tackle the situation.

Meanwhile, Prateeph Jongthong, vice president of Trang Tourism Business Association, said closing diving sites at Chuak Island would not affect tourism in the province because most tourists did not visit reefs.

In a related development, the directorgeneral of the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department, Sunant Arunnopparat, said the department's announcement naming which diving sites would close contained mistakes.

In the Surin Islands in Phang Nga, the department mistakenly announced the closure of Suthep Bay, Mai Ngam Bay, Koh Stork, Hin Kong, Pakkard Bay and the coralreef site in front of Surin National Marine Park. Those sites will remain open, but Mae Yai Bay, Mang Korn Bay, Chak Bay, Tao Bay and Tor Rin La Bay will close.

In Satun province, the department will close only Bu Lone Mai Phai Island at Petra National Marine Park.

-- The Nation 2011-01-22

[FarangBuddha]

Acording to a leading UK newspaper the ban is indefinite ?

Bad news all round as Thailand is suffering from a big drop in tourists as it is and this will only add to the problem. How long till it hits us here on the Gulf side ?

Link here

http://www.dailymail...oral-reefs.html

THailand is NOT suffering from a big drop in tourists - on the contrary, figures are up.

Try telling that crap to the business owners here on Samui More dive shops and bars have closed this year than in any year I can remember. The island is dead at the moment.

The Thai tourism industry is allot much more than dive shops and "bars." And Samui is "dead" right now because it's rainy season in the Gulf...duhh.

[leebeeUK]

Since diving does not cause coral bleaching, this is basically a useless move. Still no word on the fishing boats, I suppose?

Yup, its (another!) keep throwing yer crap in but look we've done something sort of a move! Thailand is sadly very good at gestures that on face value people think MUST be helping whatever problem is being 'addressed' but really doesn't even start to deal with it at all!! I think the worst thing is that those who make these decrees don't get that, and really do think these sort of steps are helping, again confusing the suggestion towards some aim with fulfillment of the aim itself!!

Edited January 22, 2011 by leebeeUK

[reason1]

I am not trying to join the Who can Pee Furthest into the Sea Contest going on here. These are some serious issues which no one has the full answer e.g. no one is sure why reproduction all occurs at the same time on the reef signaled by the moon.

I just think that in the case of an island if half was off limits to all for a few years studies could be made to see if natural and human damage to reefs would recover and tests could be made to see if techniques can help recovery.

I am sure temperature pollution fishing divers tourists don't help reefs recover.

I have only over 20 years of serious diving experience over all the best sites in the whole region to contribute here.

The main point about some hard corals taking up to 10 years to reach reproduction state and "Bloom" seems to be missed by all here.

All human activity, diving too, damages reefs.

Pollution, natural events and warming causing algae and other harmful effects.

Best is leave well alone for a long time and sacrifice some areas but police the reserves to keep all from doing more damage.

As most reefs are considered to be one living organism - how do you propose to cut them up into bits that will or won't be sacrificed.What interest will touoists have in viewing a sacrificed, dead reef?

[aquamarin]

To Whom It May Concern

Following recent media coverage onthe coral bleaching event in the Similan and Surin Islands, Thailand, the KhaoLak Dive Operators Forum (KLDOF) have issued following statement:

Due to higher than normal sea watertemperatures in 2010, some of the hard corals around the Similan and Surin Islandshave been damaged by coral bleaching. Coral bleaching is a well-knownphenomenon and has occurred several times in various parts of the world overthe past century. The term covers an event where the symbiotic coloredalgae living inside the coral are released due to stress (high temperature, forexample). When the algae have been released, the coral appears white, hence theterm “coral bleaching”

If you would like to have moreinformation about coral bleaching please click on the following link to see apresentation from Dr Mark Eakin, the Coordinator of NOAA’s CoralReefWatch program. http://www.climatewatch.noaa.gov/2010/videos/coral-bleaching-alarm-for-2010

In the Similan and Surin Islands,the highest impact has been on hard corals in shallow water, where the seatemperature is generally higher than in deeper water. Members of the KLDOF havebeen very happy to observe a speedy recovery of certain types of coral,especially soft corals, which appeared to have suffered from the bleachingeffect as well. Corals located deeper than 12 meters have suffered no or verylittle damage.

We as dive operators are passionateabout the environment in which we live and work. Therefore we are veryconcerned about the condition of the reef. It is proven that there isabsolutely no connection between diving and coral bleaching, but we feel theneed to be even more careful around the reef to prevent further stress.

With more than 25 named dive sites,the region offers ample opportunity to dive and snorkel. Our recommendationwould be to temporarily close the dive sites most affected in theSimilan Islands, namely East of Eden, Beacon Reef and Breakfast Bend. Thesedive sites are located on the east side of the islands. Dive sites on the westside have only been minimally affected and have many colorful corals and a widerange of marine life.

Famous dive sites such as ElephantHead Rock, Koh Tachai Pinnacle, and Richelieu Rock still offer great diving.The stag horn coral at Koh Bon has been affected; however there have been arecord number of Manta Ray sightings this season. In addition, we think itwould be worth considering re-opening some of the dive sites around thesouthern Similan Islands, such as Fantasy Reef, which has had a number of yearsto recover.

Simultaneously, the KLDOF hascontacted several scientists, organizations and universities specializing inmonitoring and improving coral health. In previous coral bleaching events therehas been successful recovery of damaged reefs, as the temperature drops.Projects are being started to monitor the development of the corals and otherindividual projects are ongoing.

We will continue to observe allrules and regulations implemented for this region and offer our assistance tothe National Park Head Offices involved. Additionally, we will re-enforce ourstrict rules for visiting divers on the boats operated by us, in terms of thepolicy “absolutely no touching, feeding or harassing marine life and no rubbishthrown overboard”.

We, the dive operators and divecommunity in Khao Lak, are eager to do everything within our possibilities toprotect and conserve the wonderful underwater world.

Khao Lak, Thailand, January 19^th,2011

The Khao Lak Dive Operators Forum isa forum for boat operators in Khao Lak, Thailand. Members represent26 dive shops, arranging snorkel and/or diving trips to the Similan and SurinIslands.

........for your information.........

Karin

[h90]

Yes Jim I am.

now lets quote that article YOU have cited so EVERYONE can see how people are making statements on this thread that are totally without any research jumping to conclusions and consequently meaningless.

"The primary cause of coral bleaching is high water temperature. Temperature increases of only 1.5–2°C lasting for six to eight weeks are enough to trigger bleaching. When high temperatures persist for more than eight weeks, corals begin to die. Many other stressors can also cause bleaching including sedimentation, pollutants and changes in salinity. These stressors usually operate at local scales. Elevated water temperature is of greater concern as it can affect reefs at regional to global scales. When bleaching occurs at these large spatial scales, it is a mass bleaching event. "

Unless people really appreciate what is happening to tthe corals - they won't be able to formulate an action plan - the Thai authorities have not done so, and as shown by many of the posts on this thread, the general public does not grasp the whole picture. Jumping to the conclusion that water temp is the ONLY cause of bleaching is INCORRECT.

it therefore has to be established what the causes of the bleaching are - this as far as I can see has not been done - only guesses are being made, not just by posters on this thread, but also the Thai authorities.

I can't find the part where it says that diver above them is stressing them.

And I tell you a secret: corals in places where aren't any divers bleach exactly the same.

[Deeral]

Yes Jim I am.

now lets quote that article YOU have cited so EVERYONE can see how people are making statements on this thread that are totally without any research jumping to conclusions and consequently meaningless.

"The primary cause of coral bleaching is high water temperature. Temperature increases of only 1.5–2°C lasting for six to eight weeks are enough to trigger bleaching. When high temperatures persist for more than eight weeks, corals begin to die. Many other stressors can also cause bleaching including sedimentation, pollutants and changes in salinity. These stressors usually operate at local scales. Elevated water temperature is of greater concern as it can affect reefs at regional to global scales. When bleaching occurs at these large spatial scales, it is a mass bleaching event. "

Unless people really appreciate what is happening to tthe corals - they won't be able to formulate an action plan - the Thai authorities have not done so, and as shown by many of the posts on this thread, the general public does not grasp the whole picture. Jumping to the conclusion that water temp is the ONLY cause of bleaching is INCORRECT.

it therefore has to be established what the causes of the bleaching are - this as far as I can see has not been done - only guesses are being made, not just by posters on this thread, but also the Thai authorities.

I can't find the part where it says that diver above them is stressing them.

And I tell you a secret: corals in places where aren't any divers bleach exactly the same.

Duh!

[aquamarin]

........there was some weird formatting in the original post, so here's a re-posting......

To Whom It May Concern

Following recent media coverage onthe coral bleaching event in the Similan and Surin Islands, Thailand, the Khao Lak Dive Operators Forum (KLDOF) have issued following statement:

Due to higher than normal sea water temperatures in 2010, some of the hard corals around the Similan and Surin Islands have been damaged by coral bleaching. Coral bleaching is a well-known phenomenon and has occurred several times in various parts of the world over the past century. The term covers an event where the symbiotic colored algae living inside the coral are released due to stress (high temperature, for example). When the algae have been released, the coral appears white, hence the term "coral bleaching"

If you would like to have more information about coral bleaching please click on the following link to see a presentation from Dr Mark Eakin, the Coordinator of NOAA's CoralReefWatch program. http://www.climatewatch.noaa.gov/2010/videos/coral-bleaching-alarm-for-2010

In the Similan and Surin Islands,the highest impact has been on hard corals in shallow water, where the sea temperature is generally higher than in deeper water. Members of the KLDOF have been very happy to observe a speedy recovery of certain types of coral, especially soft corals, which appeared to have suffered from the bleaching effect as well. Corals located deeper than 12 meters have suffered no or very little damage.

We as dive operators are passionate about the environment in which we live and work. Therefore we are very concerned about the condition of the reef. It is proven that there is absolutely no connection between diving and coral bleaching, but we feel the need to be even more careful around the reef to prevent further stress.

With more than 25 named dive sites, the region offers ample opportunity to dive and snorkel. Our recommendation would be to temporarily close the dive sites most affected in the Similan Islands, namely East of Eden, Beacon Reef and Breakfast Bend. These dive sites are located on the east side of the islands. Dive sites on the west side have only been minimally affected and have many colorful corals and a wide range of marine life.

Famous dive sites such as Elephant Head Rock, Koh Tachai Pinnacle, and Richelieu Rock still offer great diving.The stag horn coral at Koh Bon has been affected; however there have been a record number of Manta Ray sightings this season. In addition, we think it would be worth considering re-opening some of the dive sites around the southern Similan Islands, such as Fantasy Reef, which has had a number of years to recover.

Simultaneously, the KLDOF has contacted several scientists, organizations and universities specializing in monitoring and improving coral health. In previous coral bleaching events there has been successful recovery of damaged reefs, as the temperature drops. Projects are being started to monitor the development of the corals and other individual projects are ongoing.

We will continue to observe all rules and regulations implemented for this region and offer our assistance to the National Park Head Offices involved. Additionally, we will re-enforce our strict rules for visiting divers on the boats operated by us, in terms of the policy "absolutely no touching, feeding or harassing marine life and no rubbish thrown overboard".

We, the dive operators and dive community in Khao Lak, are eager to do everything within our possibilities to protect and conserve the wonderful underwater world.

Khao Lak, Thailand, January 19^th,2011

The Khao Lak Dive Operators Forum is a forum for boat operators in Khao Lak, Thailand. Members represent 26 dive shops, arranging snorkel and/or diving trips to the Similan and Surin Islands.

Edited January 22, 2011 by aquamarin

[Notfromthisplanet]

Good to hear Thai authorities are doing some husbandry for the seas off the coast. It's a small step, but appreciated. Lots more needs to be done. One month respite? How about five years? And what's being done about trash dumping up and down all Thai coasts? I used to visit Thailand's beaches, but each year there was more trash strewn about, so now I go visit other places.

Sad to hear this, it is only a front to make people think that they are doing someting............... I mean 1 month closure will make absolutly no difference to the sites!

Fishing boats need to be CONTROLLED PROPERLY, even dive boats and speedboats as they also have toilets that flush into and onto the reefs.

There should be a NO PLASTIC BAG POLICY on speedboats and other boats to stop the possibility of these falling/flying into the sea, bottles should be counted berfore boats leave and if they do not return with the same amounts, then fine them....heavily! Money for their pockets!

Beaches should have paid people to clean them!

Thailand is a bag country.......just go to 7/11 and buy a few things to see for yourself!

The problem with most of these solutions is that it costs money and does not put money into someones pocket.........this means that if they cannot be bothered to inpliment these movements then tourists (apart from sex tourists) will veto thailand and that will be the end of thailand!

Maybe when new hotels are being built they install sewerage treatment plants, thus creating more jobs for people and less waste going into the sea?

Why is it not so, they can bring thailand up to other 1st world country standards?

[Notfromthisplanet]

"Thai Academics" strike again. It's not hard to guess what will happen as soon as the divers are not there to report illegal fishing. And how many businesses can afford to simply close down for a month?

You obviously do not live here in thailand, otherwise you would know that East of Eden is only one of many sites here. It is also pretty dead like some of the other sites in the similan chain!

[Arandora]

Acording to a leading UK newspaper the ban is indefinite ?

Bad news all round as Thailand is suffering from a big drop in tourists as it is and this will only add to the problem. How long till it hits us here on the Gulf side ?

Link here

http://www.dailymail...oral-reefs.html

Thailand is NOT suffering from a big drop in tourists - on the contrary, figures are up.

Visitor numbers in Khao Lak are most definitely NOT up. Just before the Tsunami in 2004, Khao Lak which was popularised because of its proximity to the Similans and the Surins, was the fastest growing resort area in Thailand. Since its first full post Tsunami "Boom Season" in 2006/07, numbers have declined, first due to the "Yellow Shirt" problems, then the start of the World Wide Recession, then the "Red Shirt" problems and the continuing Recovery from Recession in Europe and US. Each year it has been one step forward, several steps back. Since we returned last November, there has been a marked reduction in visitor numbers compared to previous years, one 4* largely German visitor dominated resort having less than 20% occupancy in December, others not much more, even 5* like Le Meridien achieving 80% when last year it was near 100%. Tour operators, mainly those to the Similans and the Surins, have already been suffering as the fewer visitors are being more selective in the number of tours they book because of their restricted budgets and strength of the Baht against European and US currencies.

Of course Mother Nature's Wonders need to be nurtured back to their previous glory but there appears to be no cohesive, consistent strategy - which parts are closed or open today? will they be the same tomorrow? - nor certainly the impact such a sudden, unannounced, not consulted upon decision will have on places like Khao Lak seems to have received much consideration.

Make no mistake, a continued closure of the islands will have a devastating impact on Khao Lak, which relied so heavily on tourism for its regeneration. The potential impact both direct and indirect on employment and on support services and industries is incalculable.

For the sake and future of all our friends in Khao Lak and in other parts affected by this action, I truly hope it is not a case of what the Tsunami failed to destroy, coral bleaching may finish off the job!

[Deeral]

Acording to a leading UK newspaper the ban is indefinite ?

Bad news all round as Thailand is suffering from a big drop in tourists as it is and this will only add to the problem. How long till it hits us here on the Gulf side ?

Link here

http://www.dailymail...oral-reefs.html

Thailand is NOT suffering from a big drop in tourists - on the contrary, figures are up.

Visitor numbers in Khao Lak are most definitely NOT up. Just before the Tsunami in 2004, Khao Lak which was popularised because of its proximity to the Similans and the Surins, was the fastest growing resort area in Thailand. Since its first full post Tsunami "Boom Season" in 2006/07, numbers have declined, first due to the "Yellow Shirt" problems, then the start of the World Wide Recession, then the "Red Shirt" problems and the continuing Recovery from Recession in Europe and US. Each year it has been one step forward, several steps back. Since we returned last November, there has been a marked reduction in visitor numbers compared to previous years, one 4* largely German visitor dominated resort having less than 20% occupancy in December, others not much more, even 5* like Le Meridien achieving 80% when last year it was near 100%. Tour operators, mainly those to the Similans and the Surins, have already been suffering as the fewer visitors are being more selective in the number of tours they book because of their restricted budgets and strength of the Baht against European and US currencies.

Of course Mother Nature's Wonders need to be nurtured back to their previous glory but there appears to be no cohesive, consistent strategy - which parts are closed or open today? will they be the same tomorrow? - nor certainly the impact such a sudden, unannounced, not consulted upon decision will have on places like Khao Lak seems to have received much consideration.

Make no mistake, a continued closure of the islands will have a devastating impact on Khao Lak, which relied so heavily on tourism for its regeneration. The potential impact both direct and indirect on employment and on support services and industries is incalculable.

For the sake and future of all our friends in Khao Lak and in other parts affected by this action, I truly hope it is not a case of what the Tsunami failed to destroy, coral bleaching may finish off the job!

THe only connection I can see to my post is ... well, nothing.

Edited January 22, 2011 by Deeral

[Arandora]

So you didn't say "Thailand is NOT suffering from a big drop in tourists - on the contrary, figures are up" ? That is the quote I was replying to.

[siamdivers]

Closing parts of islands or areas has already been done in many countries but specifically it's being done here, and now. The Similan Islands park authority closed Islands 1, 2 and 3 about 10 years ago; I am sure it was the same time that they started introducing fees (November 2001), but someone will correct me if I am wrong about that. They also closed Fantasea Reef west of Island 8 for some odd reason. The result at Fantasea has been that the reef is now covered in polypropylene fishing nets which have 'grown' into the reef and will now be there forever.

Working divers perform a valuable service by removing these nets before they become a permanent fixture of the reef. I am frightened that by closing only one or two dive sites, monitoring and clean up will not be performed often enough. I have not been in the water at 1, 2 or 3 since the closure, but there is no reason that the results would be different that I can see as it's too small an area to have a radically different result. If someone has recent experience there, I would like to hear it.

Even if they closed the whole park, or the whole coast, without people in there removing these nets, damage will be done by these nets which float in from other parts of the ocean. (I am not suggesting that fishermen are using fishing nets right on top of Fantasy Reef or any other reef; nets are expensive, fishermen don't want to lose them, but often they do by mistake to my deep annoyance. I have seen fishermen use smaller, lighter nets near the reefs, usually weighted nets, but they usually don't do it more than once as they see how much money it costs them when it gets all tangled up in the reef.)

No one is seriously going to stop fishing in the oceans any time soon, especially in Thailand, so it's going to continue to be a factor whether we like it or not. Using biodegradable nets would be a nice start, but I don't even hear that being discussed, much less full stoppage. For this reason only--and I can think of a few more--closing one or two dives sites will cause more problems than it solves.

Partial closures have been tried in other areas such as the Great Barrier Reef with mixed results. There are too many external factors to make this a very effective conservation measure.

Maybe it's time the NP Authority reopened the southern islands and Fantasea so we can all see what the results have been? Sounds like a new topic to me.

Edited January 23, 2011 by siamdivers

[siamdivers]

Acording to a leading UK newspaper the ban is indefinite ?

Bad news all round as Thailand is suffering from a big drop in tourists as it is and this will only add to the problem. How long till it hits us here on the Gulf side ?

Link here

http://www.dailymail...oral-reefs.html

Thailand is NOT suffering from a big drop in tourists - on the contrary, figures are up.

Visitor numbers in Khao Lak are most definitely NOT up. Just before the Tsunami in 2004, Khao Lak which was popularised because of its proximity to the Similans and the Surins, was the fastest growing resort area in Thailand. Since its first full post Tsunami "Boom Season" in 2006/07, numbers have declined, first due to the "Yellow Shirt" problems, then the start of the World Wide Recession, then the "Red Shirt" problems and the continuing Recovery from Recession in Europe and US. Each year it has been one step forward, several steps back. Since we returned last November, there has been a marked reduction in visitor numbers compared to previous years, one 4* largely German visitor dominated resort having less than 20% occupancy in December, others not much more, even 5* like Le Meridien achieving 80% when last year it was near 100%. Tour operators, mainly those to the Similans and the Surins, have already been suffering as the fewer visitors are being more selective in the number of tours they book because of their restricted budgets and strength of the Baht against European and US currencies.

Of course Mother Nature's Wonders need to be nurtured back to their previous glory but there appears to be no cohesive, consistent strategy - which parts are closed or open today? will they be the same tomorrow? - nor certainly the impact such a sudden, unannounced, not consulted upon decision will have on places like Khao Lak seems to have received much consideration.

Make no mistake, a continued closure of the islands will have a devastating impact on Khao Lak, which relied so heavily on tourism for its regeneration. The potential impact both direct and indirect on employment and on support services and industries is incalculable.

For the sake and future of all our friends in Khao Lak and in other parts affected by this action, I truly hope it is not a case of what the Tsunami failed to destroy, coral bleaching may finish off the job!

THe only connection I can see to my post is ... well, nothing.

The connection being that numbers being spouted by the TAT, AAT, PATA or other organizations do not tell the whole picture of tourism in the Kingdom and should not be the only factors used in making policy decisions.

[Arandora]

THe only connection I can see to my post is ... well, nothing.

The connection being that numbers being spouted by the TAT, AAT, PATA or other organizations do not tell the whole picture of tourism in the Kingdom and should not be the only factors used in making policy decisions.

Then we agree - I think?

[jackr]

There are many people on this site expressing opinions that are simply not based on anything but their own prejudices.

Why is it just about every comment you make is spent on attacking others' ideas? The hypocrisy is annoying and a waste of bandwidth.

[jackr]

The knee-jerk reaction of the Thai gov to this problem is typical. They should at least have initiated some kind of cooling-off period to allow tour operators to carry through with pre-booked tours while they get together and form their committee. I think it'd be better all-round if they close tourism for five years, period, and observe how it's done properly.

[reason1]

Whats with the peeing contest about numbers? This should be about what is best for the reefs

[AleG]

Closing parts of islands or areas has already been done in many countries but specifically it's being done here, and now. The Similan Islands park authority closed Islands 1, 2 and 3 about 10 years ago; I am sure it was the same time that they started introducing fees (November 2001), but someone will correct me if I am wrong about that. They also closed Fantasea Reef west of Island 8 for some odd reason. The result at Fantasea has been that the reef is now covered in polypropylene fishing nets which have 'grown' into the reef and will now be there forever.

Working divers perform a valuable service by removing these nets before they become a permanent fixture of the reef. I am frightened that by closing only one or two dive sites, monitoring and clean up will not be performed often enough. I have not been in the water at 1, 2 or 3 since the closure, but there is no reason that the results would be different that I can see as it's too small an area to have a radically different result. If someone has recent experience there, I would like to hear it.

Even if they closed the whole park, or the whole coast, without people in there removing these nets, damage will be done by these nets which float in from other parts of the ocean. (I am not suggesting that fishermen are using fishing nets right on top of Fantasy Reef or any other reef; nets are expensive, fishermen don't want to lose them, but often they do by mistake to my deep annoyance. I have seen fishermen use smaller, lighter nets near the reefs, usually weighted nets, but they usually don't do it more than once as they see how much money it costs them when it gets all tangled up in the reef.)

No one is seriously going to stop fishing in the oceans any time soon, especially in Thailand, so it's going to continue to be a factor whether we like it or not. Using biodegradable nets would be a nice start, but I don't even hear that being discussed, much less full stoppage. For this reason only--and I can think of a few more--closing one or two dives sites will cause more problems than it solves.

Partial closures have been tried in other areas such as the Great Barrier Reef with mixed results. There are too many external factors to make this a very effective conservation measure.

Maybe it's time the NP Authority reopened the southern islands and Fantasea so we can all see what the results have been? Sounds like a new topic to me.

I would also like to see the result of 10 years of closed areas; personally I'd expect they to be in the same or worse condition than the ones open for diving.