Mr Sunan said coral at the sites needed protection after his department reported huge areas being bleached by warmer water temperatures – a factor widely recognized as an effect of global warming.
The dive sites now closed were named as:
- Koh Chueak in Hat Chao Mai National Park, Trang
- Koh Bulon in Mu Ko Petra National Park, Satun
- Koh Takiang, Koh Hin Ngam, off Sai Khao Beach at Koh Rawee, and Koh Dong in Tarutao National Park, Satun
- Koh Maphrao at Mu Ko Chumphon National Park
- Hin Klang reef at Hat Noppharat Thara - Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park
- Ao Mae Yai, Ao Jak, Ao Tao, Koh Torinla and Ao Mang Kon in Mu Ko Surin National Park
- Ao Fai Wap and East of Eden at Mu Ko Similan National Park.
Nipon Pongsuwan, a fisheries technical specialist at the Phuket Marine Biological Center, explained, “It will take many years for the coral to recover; closing them for just a few months will not have any effect.
“In 2004, when 10%-20% of corals at the sites showed bleaching, it took at least five years for the coral to recover. This time bleached corals account for 70% to 100% of some sites, such as Ao Mae Yai in the Surin Islands,” he said.