Phuket officials launch coral restoration project at Koh Racha

Eakkapop Thongtub

 

The project involves coral restoration and preservation measures covering a total of five rai in three provinces: Phuket, Phang Nga and Surat Thani.

 

PHUKET: -- Officers from the Phuket-based office of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) joined conservationists in installing artificial reefs and mooring buoys at Koh Racha Yai, south of Phuket, today (Jan 10).

 

The move aims to promote coral growth in damaged areas and to protect the reefs from visiting tour boats.

 

Paitoon Panchaiyaphoom, Director of the DMCR’s Conservation and Restoration of Marine and Coastal Resources division, said the installation of the artificial reefs and mooring buoys today was being carried out as part of two auspicious Royal projects.

 

“This project is part of the Area Management and Restoration of Coral Reefs of HRH Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana and the Project of Plants Heredity Conservation of Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn,” he said.

 

Full story: http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-officials-launch-coral-restoration-project-at-koh-racha-60575.php

 

-- © Copyright Phuket News 2017-01-11

Koh Racha receives new buoys, artificial coral

Phuket Gazette 

 

          

DMCR officers install a new buoy at Koh Racha. Photo: DMCR

 

PHUKET: -- Fifteen new buoys and sets of artificial coral were installed at Koh Racha yesterday, following the allocation and approval of a 300,000 baht budget for environmental preservation by the Marine and Coastal Resources Conservation Department (DMCR). 

In recent weeks, Koh Racha has seen a spate of environmental issues, including coral damage (story here), fish feeding and coral theft by tourists (story here).

While recent incidents have spurred officials into action, the issue is long-standing; last year, a diver recorded a video of a boat found anchored on coral, leading to the arrest of the boat owner by DMCR officials (story here). 

“Racha has been facing too much harm – it’s time to protect and restore our natural environment. We are doing our duty in accordance with the orders of Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana and Princess Sirindhorn, to restore and protect marine life from both natural and man-made damage,” said Suchat Rattanaruengsri, head of DMCR Region 6.

 

Full story: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket-news/Koh-Racha-receives-new-buoys-artificial-coral/66114?desktopversion#ad-image-0

 

-- © Copyright Phuket Gazette 2017-01-11