[george]

Large coral reef discovered in Phang Nga

PHANG NGA: -- The recent discovery of a deep sea coral reef in the southern province of Phang Nga opens another site for diving lovers.

Situated some 25 metres beneath the ocean some five sea miles off the coast of Takua Pa district, ‘Kong Hin E Tan’, where the reefs are located, covers about 300 rai (120 acres) and is rich in natural coral life, incluing submassive coral, encrusted coral, anemone-like coral and other sea creatures.

According to an expert at the Phuket Marine Biological Centre (PMBC), the coral reef at Kong Hin E Tan is as beautiful as those at Mu Ko Similan National Park in the same province.

"In my opinion, the coral reef here is as nice as those in the Similan Islands because it covers a large area and you can dive here for all year round,” said Sakchai Padungrotvit, the coral reef discoverer from the Marine Biological Centre.

To make this sea area richer and more colourful, a number of clown fish, raised in captivity, were released by the centre.

"If we follow the right diving principles, I think we can use the coral reef sustainably; for example, no touching or stepping at corals, controlling the number of divers at each diving site, or preventing coral demolition," said Paitoon Panchaiyaphum, chief of Marine and Coastal Resource Conservation Center Region 5 Office in Phuket.

The newly large deep-sea coral reef at Kong Hin E Tan has proved the marine resources on Thailand’s Andaman coastline were still rich and attractive.


-- TNA 2009-11-23

[ScubaBuddha]

Quote

...opens another site for diving lovers.

Why's that, is it a particularly romantic site? lol

25m is a fairly deep reef. Max ~25 minute dive. Going to be out of reach of tourist recreational divers with little or no deep diving experience.

[keestha]

Quoting George: "According to an expert at the Phuket Marine Biological Centre (PMBC), the coral reef at Kong Hin E Tan is as beautiful as those at Mu Ko Similan National Park in the same province.

"In my opinion, the coral reef here is as nice as those in the Similan Islands because it covers a large area and you can dive here for all year round,” said Sakchai Padungrotvit, the coral reef discoverer from the Marine Biological Centre.

To make this sea area richer and more colourful, a number of clown fish, raised in captivity, were released by the centre."/unquote

I trust the Phuket Marine Biological Centre has carried out a thorough assessment of possible ecological impact before doing this.

Another thing: just a few years ago, it was big in the news that a another large coral reef was discovered off Thai Meuang district in Phang Nga, heard nothing about it since.

This post has been edited by keestha: 2009-12-06 12:42