REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, PHUKET -- Phuket province in the south of Thailand joined forces with the private sector to help revive the marine ecological system by planting over 120 artificial reefs at Pa Tong bay, aiming to use the man-made reefs to attract the spawning of new natural reefs.
Mr Paitoon said, Pa Tong Bay had once been well known for its beautiful coral reefs, which were used as habitats for large and small marine animals, as well as an income generator for local fish mongers and haven for tourists.
However, as the coastal reefs have started to decline, the number of marine life in the area have also dwindled.
He said the government has then decided to join forces with private sector to initiate a project to revive the coastal reefs, where 120 square and dome-shape artificial reefs have been planted in an area of 0.4 acres with an aim to increase the area for natural coral reproduction.
The project also entail the reviving of no less than 0.8 acres of existing coastal reefs back to their normal condition within the next 5 years, where artificial reefs planting would be carried out annually.