Phuket officials launch coral-preservation measures at Racha Island

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Phuket officials launch coral-preservation measures at Racha Island

Eakkapop Thongtub

 

The raft of coral-protection measures at Racha Island, south of Phuket, were introduced after a slew of recent incidents highlighted the damage to coral caused by tourists. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

 

PHUKET: -- Marine and environment officers in Phuket have launched a series of counter-measures to prevent further coral damage by tourists and tour operators at Racha Island, south of Phuket.

 

The coral damage counter-measures were brought into effect after a recent spate of environmental issues at Racha Island led to a meeting of marine officials with local conservation clubs, which laid out five demands for all tour operators and divers to follow to prevent any further impact on the environment.

 

The demands were set out at a meeting held between members of two local environmental conservation clubs, officials from the Marine and Coastal Resources Administration Office and an officer from the Chalong Police yesterday (Jan 4) held on Racha Island to discuss issues relating to the protection of the island’s environment.

 

The meeting was held following a local marine conservationist blasting the surge in “Try Dive” tours for damage caused to coral reefs at key dive tour sites off Phuket – the worst of which he said was Koh Racha – and also after photos showing a female Asian tourist leaving the island with a bagful of coral going viral.

 

Local marine conservationist Paitoon Panchaiyaphom was attending to a reef at Plub Pla Bay at Koh Racha, south of Phuket, as part of his local conservation group’s efforts to protect the reef when he saw a dive instructor with two divers stepping on corals nearby.

 

Mr Paitoon blasted the surge in enthusiasm for the “Try Dive” beginner dive courses, in which people who have never dived before are led on basic tours to introduce them to the experience of diving. 

 

In attendance at yesterday’s meeting, held at the Racha Hotel on Racha Island, were 20 members of the Racha Yai Island Conservation Club and Racha Yai Island Development Club led by their leaders Mr Satit Jandee and Mr Danai Phujaroen, together with Mr Suchart Rattanaruangsri the Director of the Preservation of Marine Life Section of the Sixth Marine and Coastal Resources Administration Office and Sen Sgt Maj Somchock Nuiprom of the Chalong Police, who is stationed at Racha Island.

 

Full story: http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-officials-launch-coral-preservation-measures-at-racha-island-60501.php

 

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