Andaman Closures?
- Thread starter Buadhai
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You are more than welcome, Rob. I'd probably be in a panic, too, if I were faced with such sudden and confusing news. Have a great trip!
Hi there !
Just to answer a question a few pages ago...
Here on Koh Tao we havent heard anything about closures ......
Ayesha
Just to answer a question a few pages ago...
Here on Koh Tao we havent heard anything about closures ......
Ayesha
AleG
Contributor
-Number one, the quality of what passes for journalism in Thailand is appalling, on top of that the segment of it that's translated into English is abysmal on the translation, proofreading and having-a-clue-on-what's-the-matter-being-discussed-is-all-about departments.
-Second, knee jerk and "look busy" reactions by government offices are par for the course.
-Third, it's often the case that within ministries and even divisions in said ministries, the right hand doesn't know what the left one is doing and viceversa. So you have one official saying one thing and another a completely or even diametrically opposed thing.
It is no wonder everyone is befuddled over the details.
SOP is for the parties in charge to initially run around like headless chicken, finally more or less charge in one direction (however misguided it may be) and when resistance is met while facing the necessary details of applying a sensible solution, shuffle and fumble around before making a token gesture and then return to ignore the issue.
The main problem is that regulations and laws are simply not enforced, the Thai way does to laissez-faire (to put it mildly) what Stonhenge does for stones. Just as an example see how widespread illegal fishing is in the Marine Parks, check any dive site map and almost invariably you'll have as landmarks one or several broken fishtraps; and that's in well frequented areas, close to park ranger's posts.
sffrenchman
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We were there in November. We did not dive the similans. We dived Koh Tachai, Koh Bon and Richelieu. Koh Bon and Koh Tachai had some very limited bleaching but we were told that the bleaching in the similans was rather bad and that's why we did not go there to dive. Richelieu was very very nice.
Even the New York Times:
Coral Bleaching Prompts Thailand to Close Diving Sites
Reading that, as I'm sure many potential visitors will, you'd think the closures were much wider spread than they are.
Coral Bleaching Prompts Thailand to Close Diving Sites
Reading that, as I'm sure many potential visitors will, you'd think the closures were much wider spread than they are.
Ayesha,
I assume you mean to say that you haven't heard about any closures on or around Koh Tao
Koh Tao is not that isolated..............................
Our colleagues on the West coast must be non stop answering emails to cover the damage control.
To Whom It May Concern
Following recent media coverage on the coral bleaching event in the Similan and Surin Islands, Thailand, the Khao Lak Dive Operators Forum (KLDOF) have issued following statement:
Due to higher than normal sea water temperatures in 2010, some of the hard corals around the Similan and Surin Islands have been damaged by coral bleaching. Coral bleaching is a well-known phenomenon and has occurred several times in various parts of the world over the past century. The term covers an event where the symbiotic colored algae living inside the coral are released due to stress (high temperature, for example). When the algae have been released, the coral appears white, hence the term “coral bleaching”
If you would like to have more information about coral bleaching please click on the following link to see a presentation from Dr Mark Eakin, the Coordinator of NOAA’s Coral ReefWatch program. ClimateWatch Magazine Coral Bleaching Alarm for 2010
In the Similan and Surin Islands, the highest impact has been on hard corals in shallow water, where the sea temperature is generally higher than in deeper water. Members of the KLDOF have been very happy to observe a speedy recovery of certain types of coral, especially soft corals, which appeared to have suffered from the bleaching effect as well. Corals located deeper than 12 meters have suffered no or very little damage.
We as dive operators are passionate about the environment in which we live and work. Therefore we are very concerned about the condition of the reef. It is proven that there is absolutely no connection between diving and coral bleaching, but we feel the need to be even more careful around the reef to prevent further stress.
With more than 25 named dive sites, the region offers ample opportunity to dive and snorkel. Our recommendation would be to temporarily close the dive sites most affected in the Similan Islands, namely East of Eden, Beacon Reef and Breakfast Bend. These dive sites are located on the east side of the islands. Dive sites on the west side have only been minimally affected and have many colorful corals and a wide range of marine life.
Famous dive sites such as Elephant Head Rock, Koh Tachai Pinnacle, and Richelieu Rock still offer great diving. The stag horn coral at Koh Bon has been affected; however there have been a record number of Manta Ray sightings this season. In addition, we think it would be worth considering re-opening some of the dive sites around the southern Similan Islands, such as Fantasy Reef, which has had a number of years to recover.
Simultaneously, the KLDOF has contacted several scientists, organizations and universities specializing in monitoring and improving coral health. In previous coral bleaching events there has been successful recovery of damaged reefs, as the temperature drops. Projects are being started to monitor the development of the corals and other individual projects are ongoing.
We will continue to observe all rules and regulations implemented for this region and offer our assistance to the National Park Head Offices involved. Additionally, we will re-enforce our strict rules for visiting divers on the boats operated by us, in terms of the policy “absolutely no touching, feeding or harassing marine life and no rubbish thrown overboard”.
We, the dive operators and dive community in Khao Lak, are eager to do everything within our possibilities to protect and conserve the wonderful underwater world.
Khao Lak, Thailand, January 19th, 2011
The Khao Lak Dive Operators Forum is a forum for boat operators in Khao Lak, Thailand. Members represent 26 dive shops, arranging snorkel and/or diving trips to the Similan and Surin Islands.
Karin
Following recent media coverage on the coral bleaching event in the Similan and Surin Islands, Thailand, the Khao Lak Dive Operators Forum (KLDOF) have issued following statement:
Due to higher than normal sea water temperatures in 2010, some of the hard corals around the Similan and Surin Islands have been damaged by coral bleaching. Coral bleaching is a well-known phenomenon and has occurred several times in various parts of the world over the past century. The term covers an event where the symbiotic colored algae living inside the coral are released due to stress (high temperature, for example). When the algae have been released, the coral appears white, hence the term “coral bleaching”
If you would like to have more information about coral bleaching please click on the following link to see a presentation from Dr Mark Eakin, the Coordinator of NOAA’s Coral ReefWatch program. ClimateWatch Magazine Coral Bleaching Alarm for 2010
In the Similan and Surin Islands, the highest impact has been on hard corals in shallow water, where the sea temperature is generally higher than in deeper water. Members of the KLDOF have been very happy to observe a speedy recovery of certain types of coral, especially soft corals, which appeared to have suffered from the bleaching effect as well. Corals located deeper than 12 meters have suffered no or very little damage.
We as dive operators are passionate about the environment in which we live and work. Therefore we are very concerned about the condition of the reef. It is proven that there is absolutely no connection between diving and coral bleaching, but we feel the need to be even more careful around the reef to prevent further stress.
With more than 25 named dive sites, the region offers ample opportunity to dive and snorkel. Our recommendation would be to temporarily close the dive sites most affected in the Similan Islands, namely East of Eden, Beacon Reef and Breakfast Bend. These dive sites are located on the east side of the islands. Dive sites on the west side have only been minimally affected and have many colorful corals and a wide range of marine life.
Famous dive sites such as Elephant Head Rock, Koh Tachai Pinnacle, and Richelieu Rock still offer great diving. The stag horn coral at Koh Bon has been affected; however there have been a record number of Manta Ray sightings this season. In addition, we think it would be worth considering re-opening some of the dive sites around the southern Similan Islands, such as Fantasy Reef, which has had a number of years to recover.
Simultaneously, the KLDOF has contacted several scientists, organizations and universities specializing in monitoring and improving coral health. In previous coral bleaching events there has been successful recovery of damaged reefs, as the temperature drops. Projects are being started to monitor the development of the corals and other individual projects are ongoing.
We will continue to observe all rules and regulations implemented for this region and offer our assistance to the National Park Head Offices involved. Additionally, we will re-enforce our strict rules for visiting divers on the boats operated by us, in terms of the policy “absolutely no touching, feeding or harassing marine life and no rubbish thrown overboard”.
We, the dive operators and dive community in Khao Lak, are eager to do everything within our possibilities to protect and conserve the wonderful underwater world.
Khao Lak, Thailand, January 19th, 2011
The Khao Lak Dive Operators Forum is a forum for boat operators in Khao Lak, Thailand. Members represent 26 dive shops, arranging snorkel and/or diving trips to the Similan and Surin Islands.
Karin
Nope - we have not heard about any closures to the Koh Tao sites ....
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