PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN CORAL REHABILITATION AT PHI PHI ISLANDS, KRABI

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1 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN CORAL REHABILITATION AT PHI PHI ISLANDS, KRABI

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3 Mid-water coral nursery as a source of coral seedlings to rehabilitate degraded coral reefs Site: Phi Phi Lae Island, in 2006 Marine Conservation diving club in Bangkok was request to do coral rehabilitation activity to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the reign of His Majesty the King. It will be better if we can control this activity by give supervision rather than let them do without any knowledge or any control.

4 From Red Sea to Andaman Sea Mid-water coral nursery was adopted from Israel in 2005 under the Developing Ubiquitous Restoration Practices for Indo-Pacific Coral Reefs (REEFRES), supported by EU.

5 Experiments at Cape Panwa and adjacent areas to find the most efficient way to use floating coral nursery technique for coral rehabilitation in the Andaman Sea 1. Appropriate techniques for mid-water coral nursery in turbid waters of the Andaman Sea coast, Thailand. 2. Preliminary study on growth rate of Acropora pulchra on floating nursery in turbid environment. 3. Preliminary study on survival and growth of coral fragmentation on mid-water rope nursery 4. Survival and growth of corals after transplantation at Cape Panwa Phuket. 5. Survival and growth of corals after transplantation in turbid water environment at Rad Island Phuket. 6. Survival and growth of corals after transplantation at Hae Island Phuket. 7. Survival and growth of corals after transplantation by different methods at Rawai Phuket.

6 Setting up a nursery could help disperse the volunteers to do different tasks at different places and time as the work was divided into 2 phases Preparing coral fragments for nursery : 1,050 fragments Acropora grandis 210, A. formosa 840,

7 staff of diving companies on the Island had been encouraged to participate in coral rehabilitation - preparing - Cleaning - Maintenance beginning 1 month 4 months Ex: Andrew Hewett, who suggested a suitable location for the nursery, and helped in preparing, cleaning up and maintaining the nursery

8 messing + kicking of sand. luckily, it just only concrete modules, no natural corals 90 divers could transplant seedlings on artificial reefs without destroying existing corals

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11 In January of each year, about 25 visiting students from the University of Missouri join a workshop organized by the Adventure Club to prepare coral fragments for the nursery

12 The hotel s can use this activity to promote their environmental responsibility to public PMBC also helped local businesses, such as the Phi Phi Island Village hotel, to organize and maintain their own coral nursery and transplant corals to degraded areas by giving their staff training and supervision.

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14 Every December since 2007, the PMBC arranges activities to promote public awareness as part of the celebrations for the King s birthday Cleaning up the beach Game& activites exhibitions Dissemination knowledge for public Cleaning up the reefs

15 Coral Transplantation Activity on 1 December 2009

16 Yung Island Pai Island Hin Klang Coral rehabilitation activities & experiments coral nurseries transplantation artificial reefs about 9,000 coral fragments, comprising 10 species, have been prepared in the nurseries and transplanted to 10 sites

17 Thousands- up to 10,000 visitors/day. Annual benefit from the recreational services of Phi Phi Islands was 8,216.4 million baht ( million US$) for both international and domestic visitors (Seenparchawong, 2003).

18 Islands shallow water bays with dense hard coral and sandy beaches are famous among tourists who visit by speed boat or long tail boat. Most of the boats try to get as close to the reef or beach as possible for the tourists convenience. Most of these tourist destinations either have very few buoys or none at all.

19 Most tour guides seem to neither inform the tourists how to behave nor how to treat the coral or snorkel properly. Some activities for tourists at Phi Phi are harmful to coral and environment and should not be allowed. some tour guides provide bread for tourists to feed the fish, catch marine animals, take coral as souvenir.

20 sediment caused by deforestation and land development, garbage disposal, untreated sewage, trespassing on mangrove/ public property are also major problems in many areas of Phi Phi Don Island

21 Trespassing on rocky shore area on top of the hill down to the sea mangrove area

22 Responsible authorities: Marine Park, local district administration, Governor Difficult to solve the problems in short term: -monetary gains many groups involved not (well) organized conflict -lack of strong community base -accumulate problems NEED -Sustainable coral reef management plan must be identified and implemented -Participation of policy makers and other responsible authorities from local & national authorities -Trusty & strong community base -good cooperation between community & responsible authorities

23 3 and 1/2 years after transplantation 3 and 1/2 years after transplantation 4 years after deployed 2 years after deployed Leopard shark

24 Acknowledgement All volunteer divers from Bangkok and Phi Phi Islands Marine Conservation Diving Club; The Adventure Club; Phi Phi Island Village Hotel; Project Abroad