PUBLISHED: 23 May 2024 at 09: 58
TRAT- Underwater living in Thailand’s northeast coast coast, from coastal reefs to fish, is suffering as sea surface temperatures hit record highs this month amid a local heatwave, inquieting scientists and native communities.
The once vivid and lively coral, about five feet ( 16 feet ) underwater, have turned white in a trend known as coral bleaching, a mark that their health was deteriorating, due to higher water temperatures, researchers say.
Early this month, sea surface temperatures in the Eastern Gulf of Thailand reached 32.73 degrees Celsius (90.91 degrees Fahrenheit ), while underwater readings are a little warmer, with dive computers showing around 33 degrees Celsius, according to data.
After finishing a dive in the gulf coast, marine biologist Lalita Putchim of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources ( DMCR ) reported that she could not find even one healthy coral.
” Almost all of the species have bleached, there’s very little that’s not affected”.
Bleached corals are seen near bull and horse statues in a reef in Koh Mak, Trat province, on May 8, 2024. ( Photo: Reuters )
The Trat archipelago is home to over 66 islands, with over 28.4 square kilometres (2, 841 hectares ) of coral reef, where Lalita has found that up to 30 % of coral life was bleaching and 5 % had already died.
If water temperatures do not cool, more coral will die, Ms Lalita said.
” It’s global boiling, not just global warming”, she said.
Bleached corals are seen in a reef in Koh Mak, Trat province, on May 8, 2024. ( Photo: Reuters )
Other marine life and the livelihoods of local fishermen, including Sommay Singsura, were impacted by rising temperatures.
In recent years, his daily catch of seafood has been dwindling. Previously he had been able to make up to 10, 000 baht ( US$ 275 ) a day, but now sometimes he comes back empty handed.
” There used to be jackfish, short mackerel, and many others… But now, the situation is n’t good. The weather is n’t like what it used to be”, Mr Sommay laments.
Sommay Singsura, a fisherman, is seen close to bleached corals near Chao Lao Beach, Chanthaburi province, on May 10, 2024. ( Photo: Reuters )
According to scientists, coral reefs serve as both a food source and a habitat for marine life as well as as as natural barriers to coastal erosion.
If bleaching causes marine life to decrease, fishermen will need to spend more to get their catch, which could see selling prices rise, said Sarawut Siriwong, the dean of faculty of Marine Technology at Burapha University.
” While this ( coral bleaching ) would affect food security, at the same time, their ( community ) income stability is also at stake”, he said.
Bleached corals are seen in a reef in Koh Mak, Trat province, on May 8, 2024. ( Photo: Reuters )