National News Bureau of Thailand 9 Aug 13;
BANGKOK, 9 August 2013 (NNT) – Department of Marine and Coastal Resources officials have noticed adverse effects of the oil spill in Rayong on some coral patches to the south of spill site Ao Phrao.
Department director-general Nopphon Sisuk said experts who had visited Rayong to check on the condition of corals around Samet island reported that some colonies of coral to the south of Ao Phrao were bleached. The affected area covered about 50 square meters.
However, as the coral patches in other areas have been found to remain normal, the bleaching could have been caused by other stresses experienced by the coral colonies aside from the oil spill, Mr Nipon said.
Meanwhile, the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry has ordered its officials to deploy buoys in the sea to create a perimeter around the bleached corals in order to help reduce additional stresses that may affect the patches. The corals will also be able to rejuvenate faster with the buoy perimeter helping isolate them from disturbances.
PTTGC, the company that owns the pipeline which leaked crude oil into Ao Phrao, will take full financial responsibility for rehabilitating the corals until they return to normal.
