Coral Fish Gong Grass @ the Blue Island Koh Mak: by Below the Tides
นาย อริณชย์ ทองแตงDonations for the project will contribute to the restoration and maintenance to the coral reef at the Koh Mak Island.200acre
Period of time
Jan 8, 2024 - Jul 5, 2024Location
SDG Goals
Beneficiary groups of the project
While Koh Mak has an area of approximately 12.3 square kilometers, its coral reefs cover as much as 9.7 square kilometers. Importantly, the northeastern part of the island features seagrass beds. Due to the effects of global warming, which impact coral bleaching, tourism without proper management, and illegal fishing activities, the coral reefs face damages.
Koh Mak is considered a tourism model that capitalizes on the rich marine resources. It emphasizes low carbon tourism due to limited government budgets for marine environmental conservation. However, the restoration and maintenance of coral reefs on Koh Mak are within reach as the local community is environmentally conscious, committed, and collaborative. The only hurdle lies in the lack of funding for the upkeep of the coral reefs. Swift restoration efforts are crucial to rejuvenate the coral reefs and enhance Koh Mak's potential for sustainable competitiveness in both fishing and global tourism industries.
Social issues
And this area has a rich seagrass ecosystem, acting as a valuable Blue Carbon source that effectively captures and stores carbon dioxide. It also serves as a crucial food source for endangered species like sea turtles and dugongs, which feed on seagrasses. Replanting seagrasses in this area is challenging due to the presence of coral rubble on the seafloor. Additionally, economically, Ko Mak is a prominent marine tourism destination. If marine resources decline, it could adversely affect its competitiveness in the tourism industry.
The Bank of Thailand has published an article mentioning that Ko Mak serves as a tourism model that capitalizes on its abundant natural marine resources. It focuses on a strategy that emphasizes low-carbon tourism, minimizing pollution, reducing energy and water usage in accommodations, and preserving the traditional way of life of the local community. This approach has successfully attracted high-quality tourists, with a 15% increase in the number of Thai and international tourists visiting Ko Mak in 2019 compared to 2012. The tourism revenue during the same period has also seen a nearly 50% increase.
Due to budget constraints for marine environmental conservation, there may be other areas or urgent events that require immediate attention more than Ko Mak. However, the coral reef restoration at Ko Mak is not considered difficult as the local community is well-aware and committed to the cause. The main challenge lies in the lack of financial support from the government for the maintenance of the coral reefs. It is crucial to provide funding promptly to restore the coral reefs, enhancing their competitiveness in both the fishing and global tourism industries.
Previously, coral reefs were protected under the Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act of 1992, prohibiting hunting, harmful activities, ownership, trade, and breeding without permission. The conservation efforts were neglected until Mr. Nopadol Sutthithornkul (Uncle Aung) and the community formed the Koh Mak Coral Conservation Group. This group aimed to legally conduct coral planting, obtaining permission from the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources. By the end of 2021, they had successfully received approval and started the conservation work.
Mr. Nopadol Sutthithornkul (Uncle Aung) founded the Koh Mak Coral Conservation Group to engage in coral reef restoration. The group utilizes the creation of Artificial Reefs made from sturdy materials such as bricks, steel frames, concrete pipes, cinder blocks, steel grates, adhesive, wire ties, and anchors. These materials ensure durability against sea currents, providing stability and minimal movement. The artificial reefs become attachment points for marine life, serving as habitats for various organisms. Additionally, they transform into a food source for larger fish in the form of a food web, contributing to the marine ecosystem.
The artificial reefs act as a starting point to facilitate the regeneration and expansion of the actual coral reefs, enhancing the overall biodiversity in the sea. To support Uncle Aung's efforts, Vinitai Thailand Company began by donating PVC pipes to create nurseries, resulting in approximately 150 nurseries. Each nursery can accommodate around 12 coral branches. Through this approach, the Koh Mak Coral Conservation Group has successfully planted around 1,800 coral branches to date.
Uncle Aung deployed the PVC nurseries around Koh Mak, extending to Koh Kood, placing approximately 5 nurseries at each location. This strategic placement aimed to assess the optimal water conditions. Uncle Aung explained that, after observing for about two years following the artificial reef planting, small fish started to appear, and larger fish would follow suit, circling outside the nurseries. The installation of artificial habitats effectively attracted marine life to inhabit, providing shelter and increasing the chances of reproduction. This led to a rise in both the quantity and diversity of fish species, ultimately improving the fishing conditions in the area. Without suitable hiding spots for small fish, larger fish would not frequent the area.
To enhance conservation efforts, the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) and the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Center (Thai MEEC) collaborated in overseeing the marine environment, monitoring illegal fishing activities, and evaluating the suitability of artificial reef installations. In cases where the planted reefs showed irregularities, state agencies would engage university experts, particularly from Kasetsart University, to provide guidance and assistance.
Approaches to addressing issues
"Koh Mak Coral Conservation Group," led by Mr. Nopadol Sutthithornkul (Uncle Aung), was established to initiate the restoration and conservation of coral reefs. The group focuses on implementing artificial reef structures as part of their efforts.
The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) and the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Center (ThaiMEC) collaborate to provide assistance and oversight in managing marine resources. Their joint efforts include monitoring and enforcing fisheries laws, as well as evaluating the suitability of artificial reef deployment.
Operational Plan
The remaining live fragments of coral reefs, even though broken, are carefully soaked in water, preparing them for transplantation. To avoid drying out, Uncle Aung utilizes PVC pipes to create nurseries measuring 60*120 centimeters. Each nursery is equipped with PVC pipes arranged in a grid pattern, allowing for the attachment of approximately 12 coral fragments. The coral fragments that have been soaked in water are then securely fastened to the PVC pipes before being inserted into the PVC bed, which serves as the nursery.
In the case of fragments from the Porites lutea coral, commonly known as "ปะการังโขด" or "boulder coral," concrete blocks with flat surfaces are employed to create artificial reefs. These blocks are placed underwater to increase the available surface area for marine organisms that need a substrate for attachment, such as coral, algae, and mollusks. The concrete blocks are attached using epoxy resin, providing a stable foundation for marine life. Another method involves using long iron nails, approximately 2 inches in length, driven into the seabed to serve as anchors. Coral fragments are then attached to these iron nails using straps or wires.
After that, it's essential to regularly check whether the coral branches are interconnected, both on the sides and on top. When the branches break, they tend to be interconnected, so it's necessary to inspect them every week. Additionally, each color or type of coral should not be placed closely together. If branches are too close, they may die, and the coral won't interconnect properly, resulting in lesions or peeling. For instance, green-colored coral should not be placed next to purple-colored coral, and attempting to attach green coral to Porites lutea coral won't work. Porites lutea coral grows faster, and if the green coral is attached, it will be shaded and eventually die. Therefore, following the natural pattern and spacing of coral is crucial for successful coral restoration efforts.
In February 2024, Uncle Aung predicts that it is time to start relocating the coral branches from the PVC frames before they fuse together. The plan is to carefully remove the coral from the PVC frames and use epoxy to attach them onto artificial corals made from cement. Additionally, some coral branches will be placed in sand-filled grooves where old coral structures exist in nature, enhancing their aesthetic appeal. The original PVC frames will be reused for subsequent coral nurturing efforts to ensure the sustainability and richness of the original coral reef.
Budget Plan
| Item | Quantity | Amount (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| The cost of rehabilitating artificial reefs involves various expenses associated with daily operations. Assuming activities are conducted daily, the estimated daily breakdown is as follows: Fuel Cost (Gasoline) Air Tank Cost Diving Equipment Cost Lunch Cost Other Equipment and Miscellaneous Expenses | 57times | 300,000.00 |
| Total Amount | 300,000.00 | |
| Taejai support fee (10%) | 30,000.00 | |
Project manager
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