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Yeemin, Thamasak; Sutthacheep, Makamas; Pettongma, Rattika (July 2006) “Coral reef restoration projects in Thailand” // Marine Biodiversity Research Group, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ramkhamhaeng University, Bangkok 10240, Thailand //

All of the authors are biologists at Ramkhamhaeng University in Thailand. They are also in a marine biodiversity research group. In this text the writers write mostly about coral reef restoration. In Thailand, there have been many projects to restore the devastated reefs. These include: “coral transplantation and translocation, reattachment of coral fragments and the provision of artificial substrata for natural recruitment.” There is also a short segment on the threats, such as, in tourists, and anchor damage. Before the main topic is introduced there is a section on threats like garbage accumulation. The main topic is then distinguished through a description of the projects achieved there. A youth group once saved coral fragments by attaching them to PVC frames.

“However, poorly managed tourism affects coral reefs through anchor damage, garbage accumulation, diver damage and wastewater discharge from coastal hotels and resorts”

“The first attempts at coral restoration involved monitoring the survival rate of small pieces of coral mounted on concrete blocks.”

“A total of 260 massive coral colonies, 40 coral branches and three soft coral colonies representing 13 genera were removed by hand from reef sites degraded by high sedimentation and transported by navy boats from the collection site to the transplantation site.”

The article explains what steps have been taken to restore Thai coral reefs. This research clearly shows that relocation, transplantation, etcetera all can help bring coral back into abundance.

Brendan: Maybe some of the coastal development, which is hurting the reefs, is for the promotion of sports.