(repost) Conservation and protection on the Similan National Parks

We here at Wicked Diving are working to do our part in conservation and protection ont he Islands - here are a few tips on how to help and what you can do (simple things) to make the whole park better.

Here is a list of things you can do to help conserve our islands above and below the water

Passengers on boats...

• Please refrain from discarding water bottles, sweet wrappers and other forms of litter/garbage into the surrounding waters. When thrown overboard, debris such as cigarette butts, plastic straws, and plastic bags are accidentally ingested by marine creatures such as turtles and result in death. Please collect all refuse and dispose of it in the garbage containers provided on the mainland, or if bins are not available then pack it back to your hotel or the dive shop.
• Polystyrene containers and plastic bottles are non-biodegradable. They accumulate on reefs and pollute the marine environment.
• Ensure that all polystyrene and plastic containers on board are stored in appropriate locations on the boat and firmly secured to prevent them from accidentally falling overboard, or use alternatives for storing food and liquids.
• Be mindful of walking on live corals or other delicate marine organisms whilst paddling or snorkelling.

On the beach

Leave no trace. If you visit, you are a guest, so please clean up after yourself.

• If you must smoke, please deposit your cigarette butts in the appropriate recepticle.
• place all your trash in the appropriate place, or better yet, make an effort to bring it back with you.
• If you see garbage or other unnatural products on the beach, please deposit them in the garbage, or advise a Park Ranger or your tour leader about it.
• Don't collect shells or souvenirs. One piece might seem like nothing, but this is part of the ecosystem. The shell might actually be home to a hermit crab.
• Speak up - if you see damaging practices, say something. Let the operator know that you will be publicly posting your opinions on forums like Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree, TripAdvisor and more.

SEA TURTLES

• All four species found in Thailand are endangered.
• Leave nesting turtles well alone.
• Please do not attempt the "rescue" of eggs or hatchlings. Notify the Royal Thai Navy or the Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC) or both if nests are found. Record the date and time and location of your discovery. This will aid in attempts by professional staff to locate and protect the nests. If you are on a Marine National Park, find a ranger and urge him/her to protect the site while help is on the way.
• If you venture into the forest on islands, walk only on marked trails. Snakes abound on most islands. They will bite when stepped on, disturbed or threatened.

For Divers

Respect the marine environment.

• Remember - take only photographs and memories. Leave only bubbles.
• The marine environment is extremely fragile and easily damaged. To ensure the future survival of these magnificent treasures of the deep, and the diving pleasure of those who come after you, avoid all contact with living surfaces and marine life.

Killed By A Single Touch

Corals are highly vulnerable and can be easily damaged simply by being touched. All coral have a thin mucous covering, secreted by the creature for its protection. Simply touching the coral removes this coating, thereby leaving the coral exposed to risks of infection that can spread throughout the entire colony. Surprisingly, the large slow-growing boulder corals are the ones most susceptible to damage.
Other creatures, such as the Whale Shark - the largest fish in the ocean, also have a similar coating.

• Please try to avoid touching the reef at all times. If you must (for example in a strong current or to stop yourself from crashing into it), then please choose a dead piece of coral or bare rock to hold onto, or use your knife or hands in the sand.
• Please also try to avoid the use of gloves (except when wreck diving).
• If using gloves, remember that they protect the reef from you, not the other way around. When close to the reef, try using a frog kick instead of the usual flutter kick. This stirs up much less sand which can easily smother the corals.
• Practice ecologically sound diving practices.
• Do your very best to control buoyancy. Corals and other static marine life are damaged or killed when trampled or knocked. Avoid causing inadvertent damage by taking special instruction or refresher classes before diving on reef areas.
• If you are new to diving and unsure of your buoyancy control, please hover a little higher over the reef than the experienced divers.
• With marine animals such as turtles, puffer fish, leopard sharks and whale sharks,
  keep a respectful distance and do not touch or intimidate them by holding on or deliberately try to block their route.
• Also try to avoid feeding marine creatures whilst diving. This can incite unnaturally aggressive behavior from them.
• DO NOT FEED TURTLES on the Surface. They learn to approach boats for food. This is very dangerous when they approach fishing boats.

For Dive Operators

• Adopt a work ethic that is conservation-minded and avoid practices that are driven by profit and short-term gain.
• Keep diving operations environmentally friendly. Avoid dumping of waste, plastic, or oil into the sea. Pump grey water tanks away from anchorage and dive sites.
• Update charts and maps with the location of mooring buoys. Always tie boats to the buoy mooring line from the bow. Tying boats to the mooring buoys from the rear or the side of the boat can damage the buoy.
• Please refrain from dropping anchor on top of coral reef areas, inside or outside of Marine National Parks.
• Provide alternatives to plastic food containers. Reusable plates, bowls and eating utensils for divers and encourage their use.
• To discourage divers from touching marine life, do not allow gloves on the boat.
• Ensure that you provide a sufficient number of strategically placed containers on board the dive vessels to encourage the proper disposal of garbage.
• Nothing overboard
• In case of breakdown radio the Third Naval Unit, Royal Thai Navy for assistance.
• In Case of Diving Emergency call DAN or SSS Network for assistance.
• For immediate Evacuation call Diver Safety

For You - The Visitor

Work only with ground or dive operators who have demonstrated interest in marine conservation, abide by laws and regulations, have environmentally sound working codes of practice and teach and promote good conservation ethics.
If you see bad behavior, report it to the national park rangers, complain to the shop owners and most of all post your experiences on the public forums like lonely plant, trip advisor and bootsnall.

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