Thai officials have been forced to close 18 popular diving spots due to coral bleaching caused by rising water temperatures.
The 18 affected dive sites are spread over seven of the country’s marine national parks, including: Mu Koh Surin, Mu Koh Similan, Hat Mopparattara-Mu Koh Phi Phi, Mu Koh Chumphon, Hat Chao Mai, Mu Koh Petra, and Tarutao.
The warmer water causes the brightly-coloured algae to detach from the coral’s shell, turning the coral white. In the locations where diving has been banned, the coral is already over 80 percent bleached. If the bleaching is severe enough, it can kill entire reefs.
Thailand’s National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department is unable to predict how long the diving ban will last, but that it is expected to extend through the monsoon season to October.
Even if officials are able to reverse the bleaching, it will take the coral years to fully recover. In shallow water up to 10 m deep, it will take at least three to four years, while coral in deeper water will take even longer.