According to Thailand’s Natural Resources and Environment Department, disused oil rigs are being repurposed to construct a new diving destination for visitors 7.5 nautical miles north east of Koh Pha Ngan island. According to Varawut, the metal structures will serve to create a new coral reef tourist sector by attracting diving tour operators and divers, and the artificial coral reef area may be expanded if it proves to be successful. Steel rigs that have been turned into artificial coral reefs as part of a marine ecosystem have three benefits: they attract divers, improve the environment for marine life, and help the fishing industry. Artificial coral reefs attract fish and a variety of other marine species as they spread, according to Supichai Tangjaitrong, managing director of Chula Unisearch, which is part of Chulalongkorn University. The project’s progress, which began in April 2019 and is being carried out in collaboration with Chevron, Chulalongkorn University, and the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, has delighted Varawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment. An underwater utopia inspired by Aquaman is being developed near Koh Pha Ngan island in Surat Thani province out of abandoned oil and gas rigs.
Since the start of the project, the number of species has increased from 15 to 47, and the fish population density has increased from 97 to 215 fish per 100 square meters. He went on to state that the site is currently mostly attracting fish, and that the coral reefs would need to mature before being utilised as a new diving destination. According to him, small invertebrates that feed a variety of marine animals have been discovered at the site, and local fishermen have reported the return of several unusual fish species such as African pompanos and torpedo scads after a long absence.
Decommissioned oil rigs are being used to build an underwater utopia
More from ThailandMore posts in Thailand »
- Wisut Chainarun Orchestrates Crucial Legislative Session for Pheu Thai Party
- Thailand Bolsters Cholera Defense with EOC Amid Rising Cases in Tak Province, 2024
- Udon Thani Traffic Police Bribery Scandal: Officers Suspended Amid Investigation
- Mahidol University Revolutionizes Medical Education with VR Facial Anatomy Training
- Thaksin Shinawatra and Anwar Ibrahim Set for Crucial ASEAN Summit in Langkawi 2024
- Phuket Commemorates 20th Anniversary of the 2004 Tsunami with Global Memorial Events
- Thailand Unveils Bold Road Safety Campaign for New Year 2025: Sasikarn Watthanachan on Drunk Driving Prevention
- Montien Kanasawadse on Thai Healthcare Inclusivity: Embracing Cross-Border Challenges
- Top 20 Cannabis Shops: Where to Buy Weed in Phrae Vol 1, 2024
- Top 20 Cannabis Shops: Where to Buy Weed in Nakhon Phanom Vol 1, 2024
- Top 20 Cannabis Shops: Where to Buy Weed in Ubon Ratchathani Vol 1, 2024
- Top 20 Cannabis Shops: Where to Buy Weed in Sukhothai Vol 1, 2024
Be First to Comment