Fixing Phuket’s coral. Restoration projects around Phuket
For the past few years the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources – Phuket Office has been working on the construction and installation of artificial reefs around the island. Two main areas have been selected, Koh Racha Yai (Bay3) and Koh Mai Thon.
The project consists of placing construction blocks on the seabed in order to provide ‘pads’ on which broken living corals are planted.
This year the DCMR invited some volunteers to join the project.
Volunteers were required to be experienced divers and able to carry heavy materials underwater.
All air, weights, work related equipment and training, breakfast, lunch, fruit, hot and cold drinks, oxygen and First Aid kit were provided by DCMR. Briefings were conducted in both Thai and English.
There were 3 foreign volunteers who started with the project, then 6 and finally 12 on the final date (August 20).
These are the dates and locations where the team were laying the new artificial coral beds:
July 18, 2017 at Koh Mai Thon
July 21 & 22 at Koh Khai
August 1 at Koh Racha Yai
August 2 & 4 at Koh Mai Thon
August 18, 19 & 20 at Koh Mai Thon
The team is keen to spread the word about this project to help with the regeneration of coral around the islands of Phuket. It’s an important cause and the team is proud to work hand in hand with the DCMR, providing the logistics and their expertise for the dives.
Next projects (last for this season)
August 21 and September 1, 2 & 3 at either Koh Racha Yai or Koh Mai Thon
For more information contact:
Dave Wilson – 08 4379 6654
Johann Boissenin – 09 0280 1434
PHOTOS: Department of Marine and Coastal Resources-Phuket Office
