Hat Chao Mai National Park is to suspend water based activity, including snorkelling, near the coral reef off Kradan Island in Trang province, starting Wednesday, due to an increase in coral bleaching.
The suspension is out of concern that the activity could speed up the coral bleaching and will continue until the situation eases, according to the park’s administration. Tourists can still enjoy activities outside the areas in which such pastimes are being suspended.
Meanwhile, a Thai PBS team, together with environmental expert Thon Thamrongnawasawat, surveyed the coral bleaching off the southern coast of Man Island, in Rayong province, and found that more than 80% of the coral there is bleaching.
Thon said that the temperature of the seawater has continued to rise above 30oC and the rain only helps to reduce the temperature slightly. If coral bleaching continues, it will affect the marine ecosystem and fisheries, as corals are the habitats of numerous marine species, according to Thon.
