 The
Reef Ball Foundation Begins Project in
Thailand
Posted by:
Cindy on Apr 12, 2005 AD - 01:26 AM
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The Reef Ball Foundation with
support from the government of Thailand’s Ministry of
Natural Resources, Reef Ball Thailand and Racha and
Racha Sea Masters are jhrad at work in the Phuket Coral
Rehabilitation project. This volunteer diver
post-tsunami work is designed to aid in the
environmental and economic recovery of the Phuket
region. The Reef Ball Foundation sent a team to Racha
Island for the Coral Restoration Project beginning April
4, 2005. This project is underway and will be completed
in just inder one month with the dedicated work of 31
volunteers from 11 different countries.
This
restoration project is economically feasible and can be
done in a short period of time because of the advanced
technology incorporated into the Reef Ball design. In a
month, our team can help the natural environment recover
more quickly as well as aid the area on the way to
economic revitalization,” explains Kathy Kirbo,
Executive Director of the Reef Ball Foundation.
Reef Balls are made by pouring concrete into a
fiberglass mold containing a central Polyform buoy
surrounded by various sized inflatable balls to make
holes. Additives are used in the concrete to give the
Reef Balls high strength and to make the concrete
suitable for marine life growth. They are designed so
that over half of the weight is in the bottom near the
sea floor. All sizes of Reef Balls have withstood,
without movement, heavy tropical storms in as little as
20 feet of water.
“Damaged and imperiled corals
will be stabilized onto the Reef Balls. By using unique
fragmentation methods we will make hundreds of coral
fragments that will be planted onto the Reef Balls.
Juvenile fish whose natural habitat was destroyed in the
tsunami can also find their homes rebuilt on these new
reefs,” explains Kirbo.
The five new Reefs will
also be used for educational purposes and to create new
dive locations. Since the tsunami damaged the
infrastructure on most of the other outer islands, the
Racha Island Bay has become even more popular. The five
new Reefs will relieve the pressure on these damaged
natural reefs and create new locations for tourists and
residents to enjoy.
To learn more read the full
story at: http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/GD08Ae04.html
Source:
Asia Times
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