Sensors installed to monitor coral reef temperatures in Phuket

Sirinat National Park has installed automated underwater temperature loggers at two coral reef sites in Phuket to monitor rising seawater temperatures and assess the risk of coral bleaching.

The devices were installed at the Khao Sai Kru and Koh Waew reefs on Wednesday in cooperation with the Marine National Park Research Centre 2 in Phuket. They will record underwater temperatures continuously, around the clock, to track changes in marine conditions.

Sirinat National Park chief Peerawat Khamlamloed said prolonged increases in seawater temperatures posed a major threat to coral reef ecosystems. He said accurate records would help officials monitor conditions and plan preventive measures or restoration work if a crisis developed.

Research centre chief Paisan Boonsawat said readings from the reefs would be analysed alongside satellite data from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Coral Reef Watch system. Combining the data sources is expected to improve assessments of marine heatwaves and forecasts of coral bleaching trends.

The agencies plan to expand the monitoring network to cover all major coral reefs under their responsibility. Long-term data will support an early-warning system and help guide conservation measures, including temporary diving closures and reef restoration, according to conditions.