Phi Phi wants more buoys to save reefs

[webfact]

Phi Phi wants more buoys to save reefs
Saroj Kueprasertkij


Officials from Nopharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park have put in a request to purchase more mooring buoys in order to maintain coral reefs.

PHUKET: -- It has been revealed that officials from Nopharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park have put in a request to purchase more mooring buoys in order to maintain coral reefs in the park.

Speaking to The Phuket News yesterday, Vice Chairman of Nopharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park Office, Boonam Chuayradom, said, “The request was lodged about two weeks ago. We hope we can get approval within this month.

“The first order is for 125 buoys, 35 large and 90 medium,” he said.

He also admitted that it is not only more buoys that are needed to save the reefs, but that tourists need to change their behaviour as well.

“We have put up so many warning signs in the park and distributed leaflets. Both of these are in three languages. We also always advise the tour guides to communicate with their customers about helping us to maintain our natural resources,” Mr Boonam said.

Full story: http://www.thephuketnews.com/phi-phi-wants-more-bouys-to-save-reefs-55432.php


-- Phuket News 2015-12-17

[12DrinkMore]

The problem is that they never maintain the buoys and the lines. After a month or so the line is frayed and the buoy breaks loose.

I would guess that they should be checked every week by divers and have the lines replaced and the buoys de-barnacled when necessary. They won't be doing that.

So here's my suggestion. Assign the buoys to the dive operators on Phi Phi, who then get paid ( ) to do the job. Say 10 buoys to each operator.

Edited December 17, 2015 by 12DrinkMore

[Aquanaut]

Very much doubt 2" mooring ropes fray in a week, or so, but they do seem to disappear rather quickly. Much more likely they are cut and the buoys taken. Visit any local river, bay, estuary used by fishing boats and you may see where they end up.

[stuarty]

Correct - the buoys get nicked. That's why fishermen etc use large plastic bottles and so on.