THE DEPARTMENT of Marine and Coastal Resources has decreed protective measures for tourist destinations Samui, Pha-ngan and Tao islands in Surat Thani province that will halt several routine practices and popular activities.
Department director Jatuporn Burutpat
signed the order in mid-August but it will not come into effect for 90
days after being published in the Royal Gazette. That puts it in effect
at the end of next month.
The department said certain activities taking place on and around the
islands had caused serious harm to marine and coastal resources, to the
point that, if they are allowed to continue, the damage to the ecosystem
could be irreparable.
“The protective measures are issued to cover areas of Tao, Pha-ngan and
Samui islands in order to limit or suspend some activities that have had
serious impacts on the resources there,” the decree says. “This is to
mitigate the impacts while preserving the natural resources there.”
.
.
The order aims to curtail four primary activities.
Boats will not be allowed to drop anchor on coral and must instead lash
their anchors to the stationary buoys that are available.
No one will be allowed to feed marine creatures for any purpose, including tourism.
“Sea walking” – an increasingly popular experience in which tourists don
weights and air-fed helmets to walk around on the sea floor admiring
the fish and coral – will be prohibited.
Also banned is the dumping of wastewater and rubbish into the sea.
The anchoring and fish-feeding rules do not apply to authorities on duty
or who are specially authorised by the department for work purposes.
The order will take effect at the end of November and remain in effect for two years.
Source - TheNation
