Bangkok Post 4 Jun 11;
Veteran marine biologist Niphon Phongsuwan has expressed deep concern over the health of coral reefs in the Andaman Sea after they suffered their most severe bleaching on record last year.
Mr Niphon, a coral expert at the Phuket Marine Biological Centre, recently stressed that the situation with coral reefs -- often called the "tropical rainforests of the sea" -- in the Andaman Sea was dire. This was because bleaching had caused heavy damage to local reefs.
The phenomenon, which is caused by warmer ocean temperatures, has also devastated reefs in some areas of the Gulf of Thailand.
"It has yet to be assessed if any of those [bleached corals] which have died will ever grow back," Mr Niphon said.
"Recovery will take no less than four to five years."
More than 80% of the coral in the marine national parks in the Andaman Sea is believed to have been bleached since April 2010, according to the Marine and Coastal Resources Department.
However, Mr Niphon said a recent survey found that coral bleaching in several areas off the Andaman coastline is showing signs of easing.
He noted that if the seawater and underwater environment are not polluted, then bleached corals would have a chance to recover.
He called on all parties to take part in conserving coral reefs and also sea grass which is a source of food and provides a habitat for marine life.
Mr Niphon said coral reef-related tourism sometimes posed a direct threat to the corals and general marine biology.
Many shallow-water reefs had been destroyed by careless swimmers and snorkellers who stepped on them. Strict measures must be enforced to prevent tourist boat operators from discharging untreated waste water into the ocean.
Mr Niphon said many people were unaware or not educated enough about the fragility of coral reefs and their importance to the marine ecosystem.
When sea water receded from Phuket beaches such as Rawai, Nai Yang and Bangtao and underwater reefs emerged, some people tried to catch marine animals such as octopuses living among the branches of the corals. This sometimes broke the coral into pieces.
He warned people to leave the coral alone or they could harm the reef ecosystem.
Even dead coral lying on beaches should not be picked up as it is home to sea worms and other tiny living species which are invisible to the human eye. The marine scientist also urged those who wanted to create an artificial coral reef by dumping man-made objects to consult with his agency beforehand.
He said the objects must be strategically placed at appropriate locations to ensure they helped protect or revive natural reefs rather than harming them.
