The head of Thailand's Forestry Department (which includes all Marine Parks) has sent a letter to all dive operators in the region regarding the closure of two dive sites around the Similan Islands.
He states that the recent rise in water temperature in 2010 triggered a bleaching event in the Similan Islands. While some corals were affected...the damage was only serious enough on two dive sites to warrant closing them to human activity.
"There are 2 diving sites that will be closed:
1. Fire Wap Cape (Beacon Reef), Similan Island (8th Island)
2. East of Eden (Orchid House), Payu Island (7th Island)
The National Park will remove the mooring buoy or orientation borderline to not allow for all marine activities. Violators will be punished under the National Park Act B.E. 2504, article 18 and article 25: liable to imprisonment not exceeding one month or fine not exceeding 1,000 baht or both of punishment and fine.
Announced for all tourism operator have to strictly conduct according to this announcement when the situation back to normal the National Park will be announced to the next occasion.
For other areas, the National Park is still open for the tourists as ordinarily."
The complete letter can found here
Here at Wicked Diving we strongly support the wisdom of this decision and applaud the head of Thailand's Forestry Department - Parnumart Saamseeniam - for his decisive action. It is very comforting to see such forward thinking in those that oversee the natural resources of this region.
-Similan Diving
Showing posts with label similan islands marine park. Show all posts
Showing posts with label similan islands marine park. Show all posts
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Wicked Diving, Thailand Supports the protection of our local reefs
Following some potentially misleading media coverage on the recent dive site closures in Thailand - Wicked Diving, Khao Lak would like to state the following:
The recent global weather patterns that are responsible for the recent flooding in Australia and Sri Lanka have created higher than normal sea water temperatures in 2010 which has affected some reefs in our region. Coral bleaching has occurred at a limited number of dive sites throughout Thailand and beyond. The government of Thailand has taken some steps to reduce the possible impact of SCUBA diving and snorkeling on the areas where bleaching has occurred.
Thailand is home to more than two dozen Marine Parks and has some of the most highly rated dive sites in the world. Of these Marine parks, 7 have dive sites that will be closing. Of these 7 parks, a total of 16 dive sites will close. In the most famous of all these marine parks - The Similan Islands - only two dive sites are closed. In an are covering 140 sq. Km and having dozens of named dive sites - this has had very little impact on visitors.
We as a dive operator are passionate about the environment in which we live and work. Therefore we are deeply concerned about the condition of the reef. It is proven that there is virtually no connection between diving and coral bleaching, but we strongly support the decision to limit any potential stress to the coral as it recovers.
Ourselves, and a majority of dive operators in this region, fully support the National Parks decision and will continue to enforce our strict philosophy of "no impact diving". We do not allow contact with the reefs, harassment of any marine life or the feeding of any marine species. Further, our operation will continue to use phosphate free cleaning agents, biodegradable shampoos and conditioners as standard practice.
Khao Lak, Thailand, January 23rd, 2011
Wicked Diving is a small, boutique center focused on safety, service and responsible tourism in the diving industry. We cater to guests seeking a sense of adventure and wishing to experience the ecosystems we visit while assisting those communities we interact with.
The recent global weather patterns that are responsible for the recent flooding in Australia and Sri Lanka have created higher than normal sea water temperatures in 2010 which has affected some reefs in our region. Coral bleaching has occurred at a limited number of dive sites throughout Thailand and beyond. The government of Thailand has taken some steps to reduce the possible impact of SCUBA diving and snorkeling on the areas where bleaching has occurred.
Thailand is home to more than two dozen Marine Parks and has some of the most highly rated dive sites in the world. Of these Marine parks, 7 have dive sites that will be closing. Of these 7 parks, a total of 16 dive sites will close. In the most famous of all these marine parks - The Similan Islands - only two dive sites are closed. In an are covering 140 sq. Km and having dozens of named dive sites - this has had very little impact on visitors.
We as a dive operator are passionate about the environment in which we live and work. Therefore we are deeply concerned about the condition of the reef. It is proven that there is virtually no connection between diving and coral bleaching, but we strongly support the decision to limit any potential stress to the coral as it recovers.
Ourselves, and a majority of dive operators in this region, fully support the National Parks decision and will continue to enforce our strict philosophy of "no impact diving". We do not allow contact with the reefs, harassment of any marine life or the feeding of any marine species. Further, our operation will continue to use phosphate free cleaning agents, biodegradable shampoos and conditioners as standard practice.
Khao Lak, Thailand, January 23rd, 2011
Wicked Diving is a small, boutique center focused on safety, service and responsible tourism in the diving industry. We cater to guests seeking a sense of adventure and wishing to experience the ecosystems we visit while assisting those communities we interact with.
Similan Islands - Not Closed!!!!
Local resorts, dive operators shocked to read false reports of park closures - costing jobs and affecting a local economy that is only just starting to recover from the Boxing Day tsunami and the recent global downturn.
Khao Lak, Thailand.
Some National Marine Parks of Thailand have been affected by the recent El Nina weather pattern but nowhere near as badly as Australia, Brazil or Sri Lanka. However - false media reports about the parks being closed has had a much more severe impact on local businesses. Misleading articles stating that several Marine Parks are closed in Thailand are based upon false information. The truth being that small areas within 7 of Thailand's 21 Marine Parks have been closed to recreational activities - these dive sites make up only a fraction of each parks total area (similar to closing a camp site within a park, rather than the whole park). The already precarious tourism industry in the region is fearing that these articles will cause a rash of cancellations, triggering closures and job loss in a region only just recovered from the devastating tsunami of 2004.
Often referred to as the Crown Jewel's of Thailand's National Park system - the uninhabited Similan Islands are home to the most famous diving and snorkeling in the country with many tours departing from nearby Khao Lak and Phuket. With many thousands of jobs dependent on tourism, employers and staff alike are very sensitive to rumors - like the recent prediction from a popular fortune teller of a second tsunami over Christmas which caused a 10% drop in bookings, but nor tsunami.
Many potential and current visitors have expressed concern over the rumor of park closures and are considering changing their vacation plans, reports co-owner of one local dive center - Koen De Wit. "With the tour operators cheering such decisive actions by the National Park Service such as closing these dive sites, we are very frustrated by the misinformation that is being passed along as factual. The Marine Parks of Thailand are vast - the Similan Islands Marine Park is more then 140 square kilometers and home to dozens of dive sites. To say an entire marine park is closed when it's only a single dive site is like saying the Grand Canyon is closed when, in fact, only a single campground is."
One local association - Khao Lak Dive Operators Forum - has offered support for strict policies of sustainable tourism and are offering assistance to the National Park with enforcing these standards. The Similan and Surin National Parks close every year from May 1st until October 31st and it is hoped that this year the no-fishing policy will be vigorously enforced to encourage further development of healthy reefs.
Media Contact:
Paul Landgraver
Wicked Diving, Khao Lak
pland@wickeddiving.com
+66 (0) 84 333 1522
http://wickeddiving.com
Khao Lak, Thailand.
Some National Marine Parks of Thailand have been affected by the recent El Nina weather pattern but nowhere near as badly as Australia, Brazil or Sri Lanka. However - false media reports about the parks being closed has had a much more severe impact on local businesses. Misleading articles stating that several Marine Parks are closed in Thailand are based upon false information. The truth being that small areas within 7 of Thailand's 21 Marine Parks have been closed to recreational activities - these dive sites make up only a fraction of each parks total area (similar to closing a camp site within a park, rather than the whole park). The already precarious tourism industry in the region is fearing that these articles will cause a rash of cancellations, triggering closures and job loss in a region only just recovered from the devastating tsunami of 2004.
Often referred to as the Crown Jewel's of Thailand's National Park system - the uninhabited Similan Islands are home to the most famous diving and snorkeling in the country with many tours departing from nearby Khao Lak and Phuket. With many thousands of jobs dependent on tourism, employers and staff alike are very sensitive to rumors - like the recent prediction from a popular fortune teller of a second tsunami over Christmas which caused a 10% drop in bookings, but nor tsunami.
Many potential and current visitors have expressed concern over the rumor of park closures and are considering changing their vacation plans, reports co-owner of one local dive center - Koen De Wit. "With the tour operators cheering such decisive actions by the National Park Service such as closing these dive sites, we are very frustrated by the misinformation that is being passed along as factual. The Marine Parks of Thailand are vast - the Similan Islands Marine Park is more then 140 square kilometers and home to dozens of dive sites. To say an entire marine park is closed when it's only a single dive site is like saying the Grand Canyon is closed when, in fact, only a single campground is."
One local association - Khao Lak Dive Operators Forum - has offered support for strict policies of sustainable tourism and are offering assistance to the National Park with enforcing these standards. The Similan and Surin National Parks close every year from May 1st until October 31st and it is hoped that this year the no-fishing policy will be vigorously enforced to encourage further development of healthy reefs.
Media Contact:
Paul Landgraver
Wicked Diving, Khao Lak
pland@wickeddiving.com
+66 (0) 84 333 1522
http://wickeddiving.com
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