A Summary of the CHARM Workshop held in Krabi June 28 – 30 th
<< you can download a detailed report here >>
This was CHARM Conference ...
Issues Under Discussion 1: Improving Individual Dive Sites Issues arising from participating Dive shops, Government offices, DMCR and other stakeholders such as Snorkeling Companies Too many Dive Shops - How to control the number of divers? (Businesses DO NOT want numbers controlled.) Too many boats adding to pollution Carrying capacity. (How will it be measured and who will enforce it?) Illegal fishing and coral collecting, long tail boats Rapid tourism development, construction, shrimp farming, resorts & hotels. Unregistered boats operating without regard for the law Zoning for divers of different skill levels Carrying capacity limits TAT should restrict dive businesses operating in different areas Too many tourists, too many snorkeling companies with too many customers, lack of trained guides. Coral damage Waste water discharge from snorkel boats No co ordination to work on environmental issues between different business sectors and government agencies. Not enough moorings and mooring maintenance Wrong installation methods for moorings Laws on Dive business sector a lot stricter than snorkeling resulting in snorkel activities having a far greater negative impact on the environment. Little or no enforcement on existing national park laws relating to dive sites / snorkel sites & double standards of enforcement when applied. 2: Improving enforcement and Information flow Problem clustering/ enforcement Business networking supporting enforcement through providing information Government officers don’t dare touch commercial fisheries Gaps in jurisdiction with respect to some dive sites No serious penalties Inconsistency in enforcing and using the law. Responsibility of the right government agency on issues such as fishing, tourist activities, boat safety etc. Double standards between foreign and Thai businesses regarding park fees for staff Outside the NPA there is no enforcement authority on marine tourism, where there is enforcement authority there is still no enforcement Problem clustering/ Information Poor inter-department communications- Not solution orientated Weak or no relation between some national park authorities and dive businesses resulting in lack of services and co operation Lack of relevant laws in English & late arrival of information. Unclear and confusing information from different govemental agencies regarding issues and policies and efficiency in providing said information Lack of co ordination among the diving business sector No single answer on issues, which supposedly have only one answer! It was declared that More discussion is needed about the mechanism to measure and enforce carrying capacity limits & zoning of any sort. Businesses are concerned about any new restrictions on the diving industry as these will affect the quality and possible survival of their businesses Manuals and all relevant laws to be made available in Thai & English Raise the awareness of all staff regarding marine & coastal ecology DOCT should continue to work on and foster better relationships with relevant government departments to the bolster the dive industry and marine conservation. Participating Agencies Governors Office Krabi province, Surin & Similan marine national parks, TAT Phuket, TAT Krabi, TAT Surat Thani, Environmental Office, Department of Fisheries, Office of natural resources and environmental policy, Wildlife Fund of Thailand, Phuket marine biological center, Department of marine 7 Coastal resources, TAO Ao Nang krabi, Patong Municipality, long tail operators club Ao Nang, Club Noppharat Beach & Club Ao Nam Mao, reef watch International, Phuket Eco tourism Association, Koh Phi Phi marine national park various dive and snorkel companies and last but not least the good old DOCT.