Phuket develops new approach to coral reef conservation

The popular resort island of Phuket is working on a new approach to protect and save coral reefs, as the government is seeking involvement with businesses and individuals for this purpose.

The Phuket branch office of the government’s Department of Marine and Coastal Resources has cooperated with the private sector and volunteers to tie still-living sections of broken coral onto the coral reefs of Patong Bay, with a success rate of 80 to 90 percent of corals alive and growing.

In the recent operation, 30 volunteer divers re-attached 500 broken-off coral branches to the bay’s coral reef. The corals were broken due to fishery and tourism-related activities.

The project is a collaboration between the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, Thavorn Beach Village Resort & Spa, and the Siam Cement Group (SCG) diving club. Project participants will periodically follow up on the survival rate and growth of the transplanted coral.

NNT

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