Corals in lower Gulf of Thailand in great condition, survey shows
The condition of corals in the lower Gulf of Thailand ranged from medium to perfect, the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources said on Saturday.
The department made the observation after studying the situation in Koh Lao Pi and Kong Hin Lao Pi in Pattani province and Kong Hin Bra Ware Stone and Kong Hin Leaw Karang Lo in Narathiwat province.
The corals that were found to be in perfect condition were: Porites lutea, Pavona decussata, Montipora sp, Pavona varians, Cyphastrea serailis, and Leptastrea pruinosa, and other benthic organisms such as Spongesm Sea fan, sea anemone, found at a depth of 20-23 metres in 30 degrees Celsius temperature.
The most common fish found during the survey were Pterocaesio chrysozona, Chromis tematensis, and Neopomacentrus cyanomos while Synapta maculatathe was the most common invertebrate found, the department said.