Coral Reef Restoration Plan of Thailand

Abstract

Data collection Secondary data of coral reef status and threats in Thai­ land were collected from different government agencies and university laboratories. Studies on coral reef restora­ tion both in Thailand and elsewhere were gathered relating to different issues including ecology, economic, social, law and regulation, and management. The data were then analyzed and synthesized into a meeting paper including data on (1) status and trend of coral reef (2) threats to coral reef (3) concept and guideline of reef restoration (4) measures and regulations to reduce threats (5) priority reef restoration areas. Stakeholders meeting Four stakeholder meetings were held in coral reef vi­ cinity areas around Thailand, two in the Gulf of Thailand and two in the Andaman Coast, including Bangkok, Trat, Surat Thani and Phuket. The meetings consisted of 20 participants from the tourism sector, fisherman, NGOs, and government agencies in order to discuss and give comment to the draft meeting paper, restoration concept and diagram. DMCR coral reef committee's meeting The coral reef restoration plan was then drafted from the past meetings and submitted to the DMCR coral reef committee which consisted of high level DMCR staff and reef managers in order to get additional suggestions and comments. Public consultation meeting A public consultation meeting was held in Bangkok with80 participants from various sectors such as regulated agencies, related national management committees and the private sector in order to finalize the draft coral reef restoration plan. Results Concept of coral reef restoration Due to a rapid growth in population and rapid devel­ opment in coastal areas, coral reef is in a degraded status. Thus reef restoration should be planned and acted fol­ lowing the 5 procedures below: 1) Restoration site selection Coral reef should be prioritized for restoration by their status, level of threat and type of use. Coral reefs in Thai­ land are categorized into 4 stages: Stage 1: coral reef is in poor to very poor condition, and is threatened by tourism activity. Stage 2: coral reef is in moderate, good and very good condition, and is threatened by tourism activity. Stage 3: coral reef is in poor to very poor condition, and has no tourism activity. Stage 4: coral reef is in moderate, good and very good condition, and has no tourism activity. Coral reef site that should be first prioritized for re­ storation are those in stage 1 due to its high influence from human threats, high trend to be more degraded and high influence on the country's economy. Coral reef sites that should be second prioritized for restoration are those in stage 2 due to its high influence from human activities, high trends to be more degraded and high influence on the country's economy. 2) Evaluate reef restoration potential Coral reef restoration potential in the target area has to be evaluated by considering environmental conditions and whether they are suitable for coral growth or not, if not suitable measures and regulations for improving en­ vironmental conditions have to be applied. If conditions