Dive sites in Redang, Perhentian and Tioman closed due to coral bleaching

[Richardy]

Malaysian Marine Park Department has just announced a closure of the following dive sites due to severe coral bleaching

• Kedah: Teluk Wangi, Pantai Damai and Coral Garden; Pulau Payar
• Terengganu: Teluk Bakau, Pulau Tenggol, Teluk Air Tawar at Pulau Redang; Teluk Dalam, Pulau Perhentian Besar, Tanjung Tukas Darat and Tanjung Tukas Laut at Pulau Perhentian
• Pahang: Pulau Chebeh, Batu Malang and the areas around Pulau Tioman. Three other affected islands — Pulau Rengis, Pulau Tumok and Pulau Soyak

Closure will be until 31st October 2010 so no diving at these sites till the season opens again next year.

 

[The Wolf]

Don't know what a sort term ban will do to help the coral's recover.....

 

[Red Sea Shadow]

Thanks for the heads up Richard.

 

[Red Sea Shadow]

More info at Coral bleaching closes top dive sites in Malaysia | X-Ray International Dive Magazine

 

[originaloli]

Oh no! We've just qualified as PADI OW divers in Thailand and were planning to visit the Perhentians, in no small part due to the diving. What does this mean in terms of diving? I'm not at all au fait with the dive sites, will some be open or is all of Perhentien Besar shut down (foe example)? Should we consider Pulau Payar as well?

 

[Red Sea Shadow]

Malaysia may close more dive sites!

Source: Malaysia may close more dive sites | X-Ray International Dive Magazine

 

[Richardy]

Spoke to some dive operators at Dive Expo yesterday and it seems that even those site which have been marked as closed are not totally closed. It's just that some parts of the site are closed to help minimize coral damage.

Redang, Perhentian and Tioman are still good for diving coz there are many more dive sites than just the few that are currently closed.

Well... I'll be going to Tioman next month so lets see

 

[tboxcar]

Just to clarify things, I am now there in the Perhentians and working for a Dive Resort, the closure statement by the government is a mistake, oversight or whatever you want to call it, anyhow, The Perhentians are 'wide open' for diving and we are going everywhere!!!! Weather is great, a little rain at night but no worries, diving is great!!!

 

[I_love_diving]

Hey everyone, I'm new here but thought I should just post this:
I've got a friend who owns a dive shop on Tioman and she says that only partial bits of some of the dive sites are closed - so basically they are all open but you can't see the whole of them. The Marine parks have gone a bit overboard in their publicity and I think a case of chinese whispers has occurred!
So happy diving in Tioman whoever is going there, it's beautiful