The event was led by Cherng Talay OrBorTor Chief Manoch Panchalad, joined by Watchara Songsi-on, Head of Sirinat National Park, and officers from the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR).
Joining the effort, and doing much of the actual work, were volunteers from a local diving network and members of the Ao Bang Local Fishing and Tourism Organisation.
Meanwhile, local volunteers helped clean the beach itself from trash and marine debris.
The aim of the event was to help preserve the marine ecosystem in Bang Tao Bay and for the local area to be ready to welcome tourists during the high season, Mr Manoch said.
“This helps to promote the standards of marine tourism and develop the potential of tourist attractions in the area to be sustainable,” he added.
The volunteer divers and officers from the DMCR installed the mooring buoys in the bay, and collected underwater trash and debris at various points off the coast, including near the Trisara resort, at Sai Kho Ma Bay, at ‘Dredger Point’, near the near Amanpuri resort, as well as at areas off Koh Waew and other areas known to be habitats for small fish and other marine animals.
“Bang Tao Bay is both a dive site and a tourist fishing attraction, and a source of income for the local fishing community. This will help to protect the coral reefs in Bang Tao Bay from boats dropping anchor on them, and they indicate the location of underwater coral reefs, altogether creating convenience and safety in navigation and mooring of tour boats or other vessels,” Mr Manoch said.
“Currently, the problem of marine garbage causes an impact on the marine and coastal ecosystems. Most of the garbage is found in the coral reef area. This project helps to preserve the marine ecosystem, for corals at natural and artificial reefs to grow, and increases awareness of conservation and promotes marine tourism,” he continued.
“This activity has been held for more than 10 years. From asking divers, it was found that most of the underwater trash collected over the years has been old garbage such as ropes and fishing nets, and each year the amount collected has increased,” Mr Manoch continued.
“It takes more than 40 minutes on each dive to bring the trash out of the sea. Therefore, I would like to ask tourists to help keep it clean and not throw garbage into the sea,” he said.
Of note, the amount of underwater trash and debris collected this year has yet to be reported.
“As for the atmosphere today, the weather is good, the sky is clear. The sea water is not very deep. It is suitable for snorkeling to see coral reefs and colourful underwater fish, because Cherng Talay is an area with beautiful natural resources for tourism, especially Surin Beach, Bang Tao Beach and Layan Beach, which are well known to both Thai and foreign tourists. Each year generates a large amount of income for local people and the nation,” Mr Manoch said.
“Currently, there are still trawlers and trawlers illegally entering [the area] to catch fish. This is considered a good activity to prevent coral reefs from being destroyed in Bang Tao Bay,” he concluded.