Phuket, The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources installed shading nets on the coral reef on the east side of Maiton Island, Mueang District, Phuket Province. To save corals from the phenomenon 'Coral bleaching' due to continuously high sea temperatures Mr. Pinsak Surasawadee, Director-General of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (MDC), said that he is rushing to reduce the severity of the phenomenon. 'Coral bleaching' by the Marine Resources Conservation Division The Marine and Coastal Resources Research Center of the Upper Andaman Sea together with staff from Maiton Island Hotel installed shading nets on the coral reef on the east side of Maiton Island, Mueang District, Phuket Province. The cause is that coral reefs on both the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman coasts have bleached. The level of severity may vary in each area. It is expected that The coral bleaching situation that occurred in Thailand, which began in April, will continue until July as a result of higher than average surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific Ocean from El Niño, which is higher than Continuous temperatures of 30 degrees Celsius cause corals to excrete zooxanthellae algae. Zooxanthella is Single-celled algae are an important source of energy and give coral its colour. The coral became weak and turned white. If high temperatures continue for more than 2 weeks, coral will die. Currently, more violence is found in the Gulf of Thailand than in the Andaman coast, with more than 50% of the coral reef areas in the Gulf of Thailand such as Koh Tao area Surat Thani Province, Ko Khram, Chumphon Province. On the Andaman side, bleaching was not more than 20%, mostly occurring in areas with a depth not exceeding 2 meters, such as Ko Rok, Trang Province. In installing camouflage netting on the coral reef on the east side of Maiton Island. There will be a comparative experiment between 3 coral plots, including coral that has a pale color. Bleached coral and normal coral to compare with similar corals in nearby areas. that di d not spread a net to camouflage the light Department of Marine and Coastal Resources Efforts will be made to save corals by taking scientific steps, such as reducing the amount of light by using light-blocking materials on shallow reefs. and moving some coral species into deeper water levels. and where the water temperature is lower than normal To allow the coral to recuperate and return to its original perfect condition again. He also coordinated with the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation to consider closing some dive sites where large numbers of bleached corals were found in order to reduce factors that cause stress to corals. Mr. Atthaphon Charoenchansa, Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, surveyed and found areas of coral bleaching in 6 marine national parks on the Gulf of Thailand and 6 Andaman coasts. Currently, it has been announced that Leech Island in Sirinath National Park will be closed. Phuket Province Special survei llance also has a plate island. Hat Wanakorn National Park, Ko Kram, Ko Ngam Noi, and Ko Ngam Yai. Chumphon National Marine Park, which has found 60-80% bleaching, is therefore preparing to close tourist attractions in additional monitoring areas in all 12 marine national parks. As for the marine national parks on the Gulf of Thailand, bleached corals were found in 6 places: - Mu Ko Chang National Park - Khao Laem Ya National Park - Samet Islands - Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park - Hat Wanakorn National Park - Chumphon Islands National Park - Hat Khanom National Park - Southern Sea Islands As for the Andaman Marine National Park, bleached corals were found in 6 places: - Surin Islands National Park - Sirinath National Park - Ao Phang Nga National Park - Than Bok Khorani National Park - Nopparat Thara Beach National Park - Phi Phi Islands The area of coral reefs in the Thai sea is 149,182 rai. Coral species found in Thailand are 273 out of 800 species found around the world. Prominent species foun d in Thailand include coral reefs, deer antlers, flower patterns, and long-tailed brains. Requesting cooperation from the people in the area. If you see coral bleaching You can inform news through the website. https://thailandcoralbleaching.dmcr.go.th/th So that all parties can prepare to deal with and go to the area to follow up. Keep a close watch on the coral bleaching situation Source: Thai News Agency
Monday, September 16, 2024