Phuket tour operators targeted for damaging reefs

[webfact]

Phuket tour operators targeted for damaging reefs
Phuket Gazette


One of the anchors caught on camera digging into live corals on Koh Racha Yai. Image: YouTube

PHUKET: -- Officials have sworn to take action against boat operators dropping anchor on live corals in popular Phuket day-trip destinations such as Koh Racha Yai, after a video showing an anchor destroying the fragile marine environment surfaced online earlier this week.

“I was notified by the Go Eco Phuket team about the problem. I will issue a letter to all boat operators who run trips to Koh Racha Yai to meet with Marine Police and members of the Phuket Tourist Association to discus the issue,” said Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) Phuket office chief Thanet Munnoy yesterday.

The meeting is set for Thursday.

Dropping anchor on coral reefs is illegal, and carries a punishment of up to four years in prison, a fine of up to 40,000 baht or both, explained chief Thanet.

Despite promising to prosecute any company found violating the law, chief Thanet admitted that the fundamental issue was a lack of moorings surrounding Koh Racha Yai.

“I understand that part of the problem stems from a lack of moorings in the area. Last year, we tried to solve the problem by adding moorings at Siam Bay, Batok Bay, Tue Bay and Khonkae Bay, but many of them were damaged because they were overloaded and the ropes broke,” he explained to the Phuket Gazette.

In addition to warning the operators about the penalties for dropping anchor on coral reefs, those at the meeting will discuss the issue of the moorings being damaged in hopes of identifying the reasons they broke and establishing future solutions.

“We are not ignoring this problem at all. I actually already had a plan drawn up to add 20 more moorings around Koh Racha Yai, which will cost about one million baht,” chief Thanet said.

However, the project is still in the planning stages and the exact locations for the 20 moorings have yet to be identified.

“I have to propose the project to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment for the budget to be approved first. Hopefully, I will be able to complete the project within a year. Until then, I will be sending DMCR officers out to the island to find and charge those operators who are dropping anchor on the reefs,” he said.

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket_news/2013/Phuket-tour-operators-targeted-for-damaging-reefs-22449.html


-- Phuket Gazette 2013-10-08

[theblether]

Many Thai officials seem to be full of good intentions but for whatever reason their follow up record is woeful.

Methinks we'll be reading this same topic again next year.

[robblok]

Sure plus the price for doing this is a bit high. I mean these officials have employees and boats.. Making a mooring is not that hard buy some good quality rope and a buoy. Make some big concrete sinkers and done. It should not cost that amount.. but me thinks they want to skimm a lot money.

[FireMedic]

And a huge special thank you to the brave soul who takes videos as proof. If we all took videos and put on YouTube, maybe it will shame someone into doing something. Since the rise of social media, most people underestimate it's power and reach. We should use it as much as possible. From the Kata Beach lifeguards beating the farang, corrupt police, all the way up to the eco violations. We should post everything we catch.

[gamini]

I can make extra strong cement moorings for less than Bt5000 complete with rope and buoy

[cloudhopper]

Well I used and appreciated the new moorings last season in Ao Po, Ao Chalong and Ao Yon. Moorings are a great idea however in this region they have come far too late. Racha has been a disaster for years; only the clueless package touristsare shipped off to places like that and the ko Kais.

[kannot]

Many Thai officials seem to be full of good intentions but for whatever reason their follow up record is woeful.

Methinks we'll be reading this same topic again next year.

Those blasted bad driving foreigners again, if they didnt come to visit the reefs we could be left alone to dynamite them for fish etc and catch the turtles with all the plastic bags we leave out for them!

[kannot]

Arrest the movie maker for showing Thailand badly SHAME ON YOU

[Bagwan]

Bloody cheapskates using rope. Rope rots, even tarred rope. I suggest using large concrete blocks and 4 1/2 inch steel wire rope. A mooring buoy must be strong enough for 3 maybe 4 boats to use it at the same time.

[thcmm]

I have taken many clips over the years too never bothered to post them - Good Idea! Showing them to the Marine Dept. did nothing, would have gotten more attention showing a Mickey Mouse flick. Don't get me wrong, it is a good thing and hopefully somebody will get their knuckles wrapped for the anchor damage but unfortunatly now there is a stong possibility that divers&snorkelers in the water with cameras will become Thainess Targets. Time to switch over to hidden cams...

[robblok]

Bloody cheapskates using rope. Rope rots, even tarred rope. I suggest using large concrete blocks and 4 1/2 inch steel wire rope. A mooring buoy must be strong enough for 3 maybe 4 boats to use it at the same time.

What are you thinking.. i mean they only got 1.000.000 baht for 20 of those buoys if they were to use quality material there is less to steal. Just like with anything Thai.. ask a lot of money and use the cheapest materials you can get away with.

[Benmart]

Just like with anything Thai.. ask a lot of money and use the cheapest materials you can get away with.

Aside from the article, your statement sounds just a bit bigoted. "Just like anything Thai...".

[robblok]

Just like with anything Thai.. ask a lot of money and use the cheapest materials you can get away with.

Aside from the article, your statement sounds just a bit bigoted. "Just like anything Thai...".

I agree with you this time, i should not have put it this way. Should have said anything connected to the Thai government paid for by tax money.

Ever noticed how they fix the roads.. cheap as possible so they can give the contract again and skim off again.

I should not have included all Thais here but corruption and the theft of tax money is endemic here.

[fareastguy]

More a "lack of brains" than a lack of moorings!!

[kannot]

Just like with anything Thai.. ask a lot of money and use the cheapest materials you can get away with.

Aside from the article, your statement sounds just a bit bigoted. "Just like anything Thai...".

done a lot of construction here have you?