Coral Reef Management After the Tsunami

Introduction

The Andaman Sea is one of the special places around the world that are the most important areas for nature conservation on our planet. Within the Andaman Sea, in India, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands; and in Myanmar parts of the Arakan Coast and Islands, as well as the Mergui Archipelago, are key areas.

In Thailand, a 12,000sq.km block including a 200km stretch of the Andaman coast from Ranong to Northern Phuket and extending 60km out to sea includes the Similan Islands, the Surin Islands and Phra Thong island.

This part of Thailand is important for the conservation of some of the world's most diverse coral reef ecosystems, home to at least 600 species of coral reef fish in 22 families; and for the conservation of 4 species of marine turtle.

In addition this area contributes significantly to the Thai economy through tourism activities, including such world famous dive sites such as Richelieu Rock, renowned for its whale sharks, as well as many others.

Impacts of the tsunami on coral reefs in Thailand and Myanmar
The Tsunami has been a terrible tragedy for all those involved, and a shock for people all over the world. Although we must be careful not to appear cruel and insensitive, from an environmental perspective, the Tsunami has provided Thailand with a golden opportunity - a second chance to start all over again with tourism development and try to do it better.

While those who have lost loved ones may find this hard to accept, there may be some small amount of comfort in the thought that these deaths may not have been completely in vain, if the rebuilding of coastal tourism in Thailand is achieved in a more sensitive and equitable manner, which over the longer term provides a better quality of life and more sustainable fishing and tourism based livelihoods for local people, and a better tourism experience for their surviving relatives for generations to come.

As tourism in the Andaman Sea relies on healthy marine ecosystems such as coral reefs, an important first step is to assess the actual damage to coral reefs caused by the Tsunami, and decide what action needs to be taken as a response.

There are two major sources of information regarding Tsunami impacts on coral reefs in the Andaman Sea of Thailand and some neighbouring parts of Myanmar. The first is a set of informal surveys conducted by some members of the Dive Operators Club of Thailand.

The second is a set of formal surveys conducted by academics from 8 educational institutes, involving over 100 researchers and 120 divers, coordinated by the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR). Although the methods used and level of detail differs, the results from both sets of information show a high level of similarity.