February 23rd, 2006, 08:29
"Coral reef found off coast of Phang Nga
A new coral reef discovered in Phang NgaтАЩs Tai Muang area covers some four square kilometres and accounts for about 5 per cent of all the coral areas in the Andaman Sea. Lying around five kilometres offshore are more than 30 genera of hard corals providing home to 12 species of fish from 56 families, said Songpol Tippayawong, head of WWF ThailandтАЩs Marine and Coastal Conservation Unit, which discovered the coral site. тАЬThe fish living there include such rare species as the parrot fish Chlorurus rakaura, which was first discovered in Sri Lanka and has never before been seen in Thai waters. The reef also has a species of the sweetlips fish, the Plectorhincus macrospilus, which was previously known only from the Similan Islands,тАЭ he explained.
The Thai chapter of the leading international environmental group first heard about the coral reef from local fishermen, Songpol said. тАЬWe discovered [the new reef] after talking with local fishermen while we were conducting a survey for our Green Coast project,тАЭ he said, referring to the groupтАЩs tsunami recovery project for indigenous marine life and local fishing communities. тАЬThe discovery helps us understand why sea turtles in the Andaman Sea use the Thai Muang area as their major nest site: the reef is a source of food for turtles and their offspring,тАЭ Songpol said. Nearby Had Tai Muang is known as the only beach in Thailand where sea turtles living in the Andaman Sea lay their eggs. As many as four species of sea turtle lay their eggs on a 14km long stretch of the beach.
Yet the discovery of the new coral reef poses conservation challenges, Songpol said. It is feared it will draw hordes of tour operators peddling visits to the untouched reef to scuba-diving tourists. As a result, the WWF is keeping the precise location of the newly discovered site a secret for the time being...."
Complete article on www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/02/23/national/national_20001410.php (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/02/23/national/national_20001410.php)
A new coral reef discovered in Phang NgaтАЩs Tai Muang area covers some four square kilometres and accounts for about 5 per cent of all the coral areas in the Andaman Sea. Lying around five kilometres offshore are more than 30 genera of hard corals providing home to 12 species of fish from 56 families, said Songpol Tippayawong, head of WWF ThailandтАЩs Marine and Coastal Conservation Unit, which discovered the coral site. тАЬThe fish living there include such rare species as the parrot fish Chlorurus rakaura, which was first discovered in Sri Lanka and has never before been seen in Thai waters. The reef also has a species of the sweetlips fish, the Plectorhincus macrospilus, which was previously known only from the Similan Islands,тАЭ he explained.
The Thai chapter of the leading international environmental group first heard about the coral reef from local fishermen, Songpol said. тАЬWe discovered [the new reef] after talking with local fishermen while we were conducting a survey for our Green Coast project,тАЭ he said, referring to the groupтАЩs tsunami recovery project for indigenous marine life and local fishing communities. тАЬThe discovery helps us understand why sea turtles in the Andaman Sea use the Thai Muang area as their major nest site: the reef is a source of food for turtles and their offspring,тАЭ Songpol said. Nearby Had Tai Muang is known as the only beach in Thailand where sea turtles living in the Andaman Sea lay their eggs. As many as four species of sea turtle lay their eggs on a 14km long stretch of the beach.
Yet the discovery of the new coral reef poses conservation challenges, Songpol said. It is feared it will draw hordes of tour operators peddling visits to the untouched reef to scuba-diving tourists. As a result, the WWF is keeping the precise location of the newly discovered site a secret for the time being...."
Complete article on www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/02/23/national/national_20001410.php (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/02/23/national/national_20001410.php)