Phuket's Nai Harn Bay gets artificial coral reef

[webfact]

Phuket's Nai Harn Bay gets artificial coral reef
Phuket Gazette


Villagers, as well as members of the DMCR and Royal Thai Navy joined the operation. Photo: DMCR

PHUKET: -- Villagers and marine officers joined together yesterday to drop concrete frames into the sea at Nai Harn Bay as substructures for artificial coral reefs.

“There were over 50 people there to help drop 200 concrete frame-cubes,” said Thanet Munnoy, chief of the Phuket Office of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR).

“Coral reefs are important resources for marine animals. In our area they have been affected by illegal fishery and natural disasters,” Mr Thanet said.

The artificial reef blocks will be places for sea creatures to establish themselves and may be used as dive sites in the future, he said.

The DMCR received a 10-million baht budget to produce 1,300 reef-blocks and place them in areas around Phuket. Last week they sank 200 blocks at Koh Hae, 200 at Koh Bon and 300 at Koh Kaew. In January the remaining 400 blocks will be deposited in the sea around Koh Racha.

“We are working on improving our marine resources. We are also increasing awareness of the importance of coral reefs and encouraging people to help us preserve them,” he added.

Additionally, Mr Thanet says that the program is educating fishermen about fishing practices that will not have long-term negative effects on valuable marine resources.

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket_news/2013/Phuket-s-Nai-Harn-Bay-gets-artificial-coral-reef-23098.html


-- Phuket Gazette 2013-12-25

[JetsetBkk]

What a wonderful project. I can't think how better to spend 10 million baht than to drop concrete frames into the sea.

Well done all involved.

[cloudhopper]

Anyone know if these are marked by buoys?

[IrishIvan]

Thats awesome. After seeing the marine growth at Racha Yai fron the concrete blocks, this is a positive step forward. I wish they would sink a few more wrecks around Phuket. One just has to look at King Cruiser Wreck to see how an eco system can evolve quite quickly in less than 20 years. Well done

[Jimi007]

Since most all the natural reefs have been ruined, why not?

[JetsetBkk]

What a wonderful project. I can't think how better to spend 10 million baht than to drop concrete frames into the sea.

Well done all involved.

I guess I should've laid on the sarcasm even thicker.

[keestha]

Diving industry folks, you are quiet, what are your thoughts about this?

[stevenl]

Diving industry folks, you are quiet, what are your thoughts about this?

Nothing. Out of the way for diving, the only dive op in the area is an illegal operation. Too small for 2 dives.

No, the diving industry was not consulted about the location and would not care about the location. I presume the mentioned 'diving' in the article refers to the sea gypsies. That's who this could be good for.