18 dive sites closed to save coral reefs

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MARINE ECOLOGY

18 dive sites closed to save coral reefs

Published: 21/01/2011 at 04:38 AM
Newspaper section: News

Eighteen popular diving sites will be closed for up to 14 months to allow coral damaged by bleaching to recover.

Over 80% of the coral at each diving site had been damaged, National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department chief Sunan Arunnoparat said yesterday.

Bleaching, or a whitening of coral as it loses its natural pigment, is caused by a rise in sea temperatures which has been linked to global warming. The dive sites which have been closed are in seven marine national parks.

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Writer: Apinya Wipatayotin and Chadamas Chinmaneevong

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travis
Post : 261
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Discussion 9 : 21/01/2011 at 07:05 PM9
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There's no law enforcement in Thailand, and endangered species, coral, etc are exploited for commercial gain everywhere. This came home to me when I saw a huge display of coral in tanks in the Emporium a few years ago, I have since seen the same in many other malls.

You only need to look at the way Thais treat their "beloved" elephants to see how little anyone cares about the environment.
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geoffo
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Discussion 8 : 21/01/2011 at 12:22 PM8
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Come on everyone , dont be too hard on the officials, after-all they just saw their colleagues set a 10.00pm curfew for 18 years olds to curb unwanted pregnancies or was that to stop tollway crashes or reduce underage drinking or maybe all three.

Better to be pro-active -right !!. What has logic and reason got to do with it.
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faceless1
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Discussion 7 : 21/01/2011 at 11:11 AM7
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If this includes the shallow reefs, it will at least have the benefit of stopping the careless tour groups of "happy snorkellers" ripping up the coral in search of "cute Nemo". I doubt serious SCUBA divers would be interested in visiting bleached coral sites, apart from those conducting marine ecological studies.

Apart from heat stress, other causes of coral bleaching may include:
> increased exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation;
> large amounts of storm water from heavy rains flooding the reef;
> the exposure of coral to certain chemicals or diseases;
> sediments such as sand or dirt covering the coral;
> excess nutrients such as ammonia and nitrate from fertilisers and household products entering the reef ecosystem.
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willy
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Discussion 6 : 21/01/2011 at 10:55 AM6
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This sucks, my yearly trip to Mu Koh Surin is the highlight of my year. This also makes little sense, snorkelers have no impact on water temperatures. As for the list for MKS, they knocked out most of the best sites.
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bop
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Discussion 5 : 21/01/2011 at 09:34 AM5
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If bleaching is caused by sea water temperature rise, how is closing the park going to decrease sea water temperature? Disc#2 right on. Fishing and scavenging needs to be banned in these areas. Divers (at least most) just take pictures and bring valuable funds to the area in an already devistated tourism sector.
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thaigenius
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Discussion 4 : 21/01/2011 at 08:48 AM4
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i wonder if cyanide fishing has anything to do with this? probably not, it must be global warming and all the body heat from the divers. logic is in very short supply for sure. too little too late.
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annan
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Discussion 3 : 21/01/2011 at 08:38 AM3
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I only hope that there also will be understanding among the fisherman that they too need to stay away. Sadly I do not think that will be the result when boats with tourists will no be around.
I love diving at East of Eden and hope to return some day and maybe I can meet Ed, or a new Ed junior ... or some turtles.
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samesame
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Discussion 2 : 21/01/2011 at 07:57 AM2
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Why close sites to divers they dont increase the sea temperatures it would be better people saw the effects of warming but this is Thailand and logic is in very short supply,
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tourist
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Discussion 1 : 21/01/2011 at 07:08 AM1
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I recall 20 years ago the marine life was threatened but the reports were ignored by authorities.
Now, authorities are late to the game.... My fear is that funding for solutions will be stolen and the problem escalates.
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18 dive sites closed to save coral reefs | Bangkok Post: news