SAVE THE SEA EVENT SUPPORTS CORAL REEF RESTORATION AT PHI PHI ISLAND VILLAGE BEACH RESORT

Tuesday 08 November 2016 09:48
KOH PHI PHI, THAILAND: As part of the resort's continuing mission to implement innovative, eco-friendly, environmentally sustainable initiatives, Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort is breathing new life into the severely diminished coral reef population in the waters surrounding Koh Phi Phi.

In October, the resort held its regular 'Save the Sea' event, where guests and staff team up to clean the local environment and give the local flora and wildlife a helping hand to counter environmentally damaging practices which have a negative impact on the habitats of Thailand's stunning marine life.

A particular focus was placed on an innovative new method to reinvigorate the coral reef population in the waters surrounding Phi Phi Island using 'Coral Reef Nurseries'. A team of staff and guests took over 70 pieces of infantile staghorn coral, and planted them in specially designed nurseries, developed to provide the perfect foundation for coral growth. The aim is to leave the corals to grow for 10 months to one year and then replant them in the surviving reefs offshore where they then have a better chance to thrive and reproduce.

The staff team at Phi Phi Island Village Beach resort already considers this initiative a success as the coral specimens planted in previous months have grown faster than expected and will soon be ready to be planted back into the natural reef. Scuba Divers have already reported an increase in the types of fish known to frequent the local waters around Koh Phi Phi, including sightings of the Butterfly fish, Angel fish, Lion fish and many more. The Save the Sea green activity day also included a 1km ocean 'clean-sweep' starting from the beach at Phi Phi Island Village Island Beach Resort.

A large team, including volunteer guests and trained Scuba Diving staff took to the ocean searching for any litter that was being swept into the local area. The volunteer guests took care of floating garbage while the professional divers removed any litter from the ocean floor.

The staff at Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort take the monthly clean up events very seriously. They understand the need to ensure that other people's litter does not wash up on Phi Phi's beaches or harm the indigenous marine life.

"We are incredibly pleased with the results we have already seen from our coral nursery programme and the efforts of our monthly 'Save the Sea' event," said Mr. Chao Treenawong, General Manager of Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort. "We can only hope this success continues and soon we will see the nearby coral reefs return to the full splendour and beauty they were once known for."