PHUKET ENVIRONMENT NEWS: Social responsibility group Pure Blue Foundation generated 400,000 baht (US$13,000) to rebuild damaged reef ecosystems off Phuket’s during its inaugural gala fundraising auction titled “Coral Couture”.
Artificial coral reefs to be placed off Phuket
Co-founded in 2010 by Aleenta Resorts and Akaryn Hospitality Management Services (AHMS) group, the innovative foundation aims to raise a total of 700,000 baht in the project’s first year.
However, the total cost of rebuilding damaged reefs, which has forced the closure of several dive sites in the Andaman region, is expected to reach 3 million baht over three years.
The coral restoration plan off Phuket includes working in collaboration with Coral Reef Creator (CRC), a Swiss-French company specialising in the development and creation of coral reefs based on artificial structures.
An artificial coral reef park will be constructed about 20 metres offshore from the Aleenta Resort & Spa Phuket-Phang Nga on Natai Beach.
It is hoped the artificial structures will encourage reef ecosystem growth, attracting schools of fish, crustaceans and shell species, which in turn will enable a new ecosystem to flourish.
More than 100 guests and VIPs attended and fund-raising event at Aleenta Resort & Spa Phuket-Phang Nga, which raised Bt250,600 in auction bids, plus a charitable private donation of 150,000 baht.