subject: Damaged Coral Reef in Bang Tao Beach, Phuket Revived in an Extensive Restoration Project [print this page] Damaged Coral Reef in Bang Tao Beach, Phuket Revived in an Extensive Restoration Project
Bang Tao Beach in Phuket, Thailand, is immensely popular for its natural coral reef; reports Castlewood Group, a Singapore based commercial Real Estate company who are building a luxury Hotel in Phuket. But as the tourism increased and monsoons hit, the coral reef was damaged which was devastating news.
In plans to maintain the reef, different organizations banded together to build an artificial reef which experts agree is essential to ensure the future of the corals. The main damage is in the shallow waters and without help, will take years to recover. Tighter controls are expected over dive boats and dive sites in an attempt to increase the speedy and healthy return of the reefs, while still encouraging tourists and divers to come to this beautiful part of Phuket to enjoy the peace and tranquility that Bang Tao Beach has to offer.
To make the new artificial reef, they unloaded 1630 concrete blocks onto the ocean bed at a cost of 7.996 million baht, each block weighing one ton and measuring 1.5 m2. The artificial reef will be in two sections, one off Bang Tao and the other towards Kamala at the southern end, both of which will extend to around 1.5 km.
As currents go against these concrete blocks, corals and algae will attach which will in turn create food for the sea creatures. Experts agree that the artificial reefs will attract fish within 1 month which will be a boost for local fishermen and divers alike.
Phuket's Bang Tao Beach is famous for its beauty; deep Blue Ocean, villas and 6km of sand; it is a tourist's dream location.
A new luxury hotel, 8over8, will be situated minutes away from Bang Tao Beach, and will reap the benefits of the reefs improvements.
Cedric De Souza, Marketing Manager of Castlewood Group, which owns the 8over8 Hotel, commented, "Bang Tao Beach is an ever-popular tourist destination within Phuket. We at Castlewood Group are happy to hear that the coral reef is being reconstructed and maintained to continue providing tourists with entertainment."
Castlewood Group, a commercial real estate company based in Singapore, will be opening their luxury 8over8 Hotel late 2012 to early 2013.
