Thailand
Evaluating the Reefs, Providing Technical Assistance, Debris Removal, and Restoration
Dr. Deborah Brosnan, founder of the Tsunami Reef Action Fund, and Lisa Stzukowski went to Thailand where they evaluated several reefs, removed debris from coral reefs, provided scientific training and help to local scientists, and seeded projects to support local people in reef repair and restoration. The Fund continues to support several efforts, and plans to expand this effort. Among the current projects we are carrying out and supporting in Thailand are:
Phi Phi Island Reef Debris Clean Up & Restoration
Phi
Phi Island was badly hit by the tsunami. Andrew Hewett, a local dive operator
who lost his store and friends to the tsunami, is now coordinating a daily
dive camp of volunteers to remove debris from the coral reefs offshore
from Phi Phi Island. (Read
his report in PDF format.) We are providing
funds, scientific expertise, scientist volunteers, and directing recreational
divers in support of this important work. In four weeks, these tremendous
efforts have removed over forty tons of debris off the reefs! See
photos of the work on Phi Phi Island.
Khao Lak and the Similan Islands
Waves estimated at 49-feet-high came ashore in Khao Lak, and devastated a huge swath of land. Tons of debris were carried out to sea, some of it reaching the Similan Islands over 35 miles away. The area is devastated. We have carried out assessments and clean up on the coral reefs and have been helping local dive operators and volunteers with assessment, scientific expertise, and other support. Among those we are working with are Joe Hue of Similan Safari and Stuart Robbens, a volunteer coordinator with the tsunami volunteer network. See photos of the work .
Supporting Local Scientists
Shortly after the tsunami several local scientists began to assess and repair
the damaged coral reefs. We’ve been helping scientists at the Marine
Biological Center in Phuket, and other scientists by providing them with technical
assistance, supplies (marine epoxy), and sending scientists to assist in their
efforts. We will be carrying more work in coral reef and conservation work
with these scientists and local groups.
Sending Volunteer Scientists & Divers
When Dr Deborah Brosnan founded the conservation science network, she envisioned scientists providing their expertise to help all groups with key conservation problems. As part of this vision, SEI’s Tsunami Reef Action Fund has been sending volunteer divers to provide scientific help to groups involved with reef repair and restoration. Additionally, we have been providing support to other scientists in the area to help with projects and we have been directing volunteer divers through SEI's Tsunami Reef Action fund to specific projects where their help is needed. Among the scientists that we’ve sent are Eko Lapp, who was one of the first to respond to our call for volunteer scientists and has been working at Phi Phi since February 2005. A biologist and experienced diver, Eko has been one of the main coordinators of the reef clean up effort. Dwayne Meadows and Caroline Sachs are both scientists who responded to our call for volunteer scientists and whom we supported to go to Thailand and participate in clean up and survey efforts. Both are experience divers and were able to contribute to several projects that we’re supporting in the area. We have sent several other scientists and volunteers to the Andaman Coast in Thailand and continue to send others.
