Navy-led dive teams remove 125kg of marine debris off Racha Noi
Navy-led dive teams removed 125kg of marine debris, including discarded fishing gear and general waste, from the seabed at Koh Racha Noi off Phuket during a conservation campaign on May 31.
Dive teams led by Royal Thai Navy Region 3 removed 125 kilograms of marine debris from the seabed at Koh Racha Noi off Phuket’s southern coast during an environmental conservation campaign held on May 31.
According to the source, divers collected 90kg of discarded fishing gear and 35kg of general waste during the main underwater cleanup operation.
The campaign was held under the direction of Vice Admiral Veerudhom Muangchin, Commander of Royal Thai Navy Region 3 and Director of the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Centre Region 3. Senior naval officers, members of the Royal Thai Navy Region 3 Wives’ Association and representatives from government agencies joined the opening ceremony before taking part in a series of conservation activities.
Participants included personnel from Royal Thai Navy Region 3, Maritime Security Command Region 3, Task Force 642, the Upper Andaman Sea Marine and Coastal Resources Research Center, the Phuket Association, the Marine Foundation and volunteer divers.
As part of the initiative, teams also installed mooring buoys around the island to help reduce anchor damage to coral reefs and other sensitive marine habitats.
Related activities were also carried out in Phuket, including an educational programme at the Phuket Aquarium for students from Ban Laem Panwa School on marine ecosystems and coastal conservation, and a beach cleanup at Laem Panwa.
Royal Thai Navy Region 3 said the project was aimed at raising awareness of the value of Thailand’s marine resources and underwater ecosystems, while encouraging young people, local communities and government agencies to support long-term conservation efforts.
Officials said the activities also support conservation initiatives promoted by Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya focused on protecting, restoring and sustainably managing Thailand’s marine and coastal resources for future generations.
