BANGKOK, Thailand – The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) is closely monitoring coral reefs at Mu Ko Surin National Park in Phang Nga province after more than 1,000 rai of coral area showed signs of bleaching and paling. DNP Director-General Athapol Charoenshunsa said the greatest impact has been observed in staghorn coral, an unusual pattern compared with previous years, which is believed to be linked to rising sea temperatures. Recent surveys found varying levels of bleaching across several reef areas, affecting staghorn, cauliflower, wrinkled, and massive corals. Around 50 percent of the coral at Ao Suthep showed bleaching or paling, followed by 30 percent at Ao Phakkat, and 10 percent each at Ao Tao, Ao Mae Yai, and Laem Chong Khat, where bleaching remains relatively limited.
The DNP has instructed park officials to conduct coral reef surveys every 15 days, with inspections scheduled in the middle and at the end of each month, to closely monitor recovery while unusually warm sea conditions persist. The DNP will also install seawater temperature data loggers, monitor updates from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) coral reef monitoring program, and maintain a database tracking bleaching conditions in each affected area to support ongoing assessment and conservation efforts. (NNT)
