The ecosystem of the ocean is sensitive and constantly threatened as a result of pollution, overfishing and rising water temperatures caused by human beings. As you have certainly read coral reefs are endangered worldwide. The reefs are important: They are home to a a lot of sea creatures, serve as breakwaters and without coral reefs the Maldives would not exist. Fortunately, more and more people and projects support the preservation of the oceans and coral reefs. Today we take you to Thailand and introduce to you an exciting project in the region of Prachuap Khiri Khan.

Dangerous fishing

The island Koh Talu is located in the northwest of the Thai Golf. For years people fished too much, in the past even methods like dynamite fishing or Cyanide-fishing was applied. As the names indicate, dynamite fishing uses explosives for dazing or killing the fish – today this method is forbidden in almost all countries of the world. Cyanide fishing utilizes Natrium Cyanide for stunning the fish, the biggest problem is that the method is not accurate. One can easily imagine how big the damage for the ecosystem is.

Create consciousness and finding solutions

Besides the island itself also some resident resorts as well as the organization marine Science Activity Conservation Foundation (MSACF) are involved in the protection of the ocean. An important part is the realization of campaigns to create more consciousness for the topic within the population and to motivate them to act more environment-friendly.

In addition, on Koh Talu a coral reforestation project has been implemented some time ago. Here, corals are bred and then transplanted again to the reefs. If you are on the island you should check that out, often guests can help as volunteers with this project. Today – thanks to this reforestation method, you can enjoy a colored underwater world again while diving!

By the way, the Maldivian resorts Gili Lankanfushi and Reethi Faru have a similar approach to reforest the coral reefs. Read more on the topic coral reforestation. 

Of Manta rays and corals: greener tourism on the Maldives

A heart for turtles

At the Koh Talu Island Resort you find the island’s biggest turtle breeding station. Together with private and government organizations and the support of the islanders, the resort looks after the secure breeding of the newborn tortoises, as well as their release. Moreover, they control and protect the breeding places. As a Volunteer your help is much appreciated.

You want to learn more about sustainability in Thailand? Check out this article where we introduce some more initiatives: 

Green travel in Thailand – is that possible at all?

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