Songkhla adds to artificial reefs
Project aims to restore marine life, writes Patpon Sabpaitoon
Hundreds of households whose livelihoods depend on fisheries in Songkhla’s Sathing Phra district are expecting a better quality of life after 1,000 concrete frames were dropped into the sea last week to form the skeleton of an artificial coral reef that will later attract marine life.
This marked the launch of a marine resources conservation project aimed at tackling dwindling fish stocks off Songkhla and Pattani.
Each of t he frames measures 1.5 square metres.
It is expected to help rehabilitate the marine environment and make coastal fisheries more sustainable. Adisorn Promthep, director-general of the Department of Fisheries, said more than 800 households are expected to benefit from the artificial reef.
The project was launched in response to concern by local fishermen in Sathing Phra over the scarcity of fish resources in their hometown.
The 1-kilometre reef line was installed 3 nautical miles away from the shore and 10 metres below sea level.
Fishermen requested the frames be sunk as a barrier to deter commercial fishing vessels, many of which use harmful fishing tools such as trawl nets, from coming too close to areas that locals have depended on for generations.
Nopporn Nilapong, a local fisherman, said fish stocks have been decreasing due to the degradation of the environment and overfishing but artificial reefs should help repopulate them.
“Based on my estimate, fish stocks have fallen 10-fold over the last decade,” he said.
“Now fish are scarce, whereas before we used to catch many. These artificial reefs help. Without them, there wouldn’t be any fishermen here any more as the areas around the reefs are the only places we can find fish these days.”
Locals claim they can’t compete with big commercial fishing vessels — which can catch up to 300kg per trip — because the size of their boats limits how far they can travel from the shoreline.
Thailand began using artificial reefs in 1978 in Rayong. They gained widespread support after Her Majesty Queen Sirikit initiated the Coastal Resources Rehabilitation Project which saw reefs installed in the coastal areas of Pattani and Narathiwat in 2001.
They have proven effective in increasing marine resources.
Mr Adisorn and Supachai Chearavanont, CEO of Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group, which sponsors the royally endorsed project, said they have now installed over 500 artificial reefs nationwide.
As overfishing is the main culprit behind these dwindling marine stocks, the public needs to be better educated on the importance of sustainability, said Athip Aswanund, CP’s head of sustainability development.
Fishermen and entrepreneurs in the industry must also be persuaded to refrain from activities that would exacerbate the situation, he added.
Following last week’s drop of 1,000 frames in Sathing Phra, another 1,500 will be sunk in the districts of Ranot and Sathing Phra in Songkhla, and Panare in Pattani this year, officials said.
The project may also cover Muang district in Narathiwat, they said.
Organisers said they will monitor and evaluate the project before deciding on adjustments.