A helpful list of the EU’s banned arilines…

It was brought up by that recent crash off the Comoros Islands.

2 years ago we had a bad plane crash here. It was from the only banned airline from Thailand. Using untrained pilots and landing against the advice of the flight tower in extremely bad weather.

http://ec.europa.eu/transport/air-ban/list_en.htm

However, flying in Indonesia is a concern. Not one Indonesian airline is allowed to enter EU airspace. At all.

However all US based airlines are allowed to fly.

Economic Solutions to Overfishing?

Here are Wicked Diving we are always looking for ways to get reduce the amount of fishing going on – particularly right here! The impact from overfishing is obvious on almost dive site in the world. Locally we can see the results. On the Similan Islands there is a certain amount of protection and the government enforces the no-fishing rule (sometimes)

However the greatest way to make changes is to make economic changes. AS areas are overfished – there is less money in the act. To replace that with something that pays more and is easier is definitely a great option.

An article In Dive Magazine Uk talks about the Shark Diving in Fiji on destroyed reefs. They not only generate a large amount of income – but they are a famous destination for those wanting to experience Sharks. Personally I am not a fan of feeding fish – but I am a fan of showing how there are many ways to generate income in small communities that create a viable alternative to fishing.

http://www.divemagazine.co.uk/news/article.asp?uan=5243

Great Alternatives are artifical reefs – either manmade of through shipwrecks. Here in Khao Lak, the local dives are done from converted fishing longtails. The drivers earn much more per day than at fishing, and do less work. We are working on some other options in the near future that will offer more alternatives to these fisherman.


-Similan Diving

When is the best time to dive the Similan Islands?

When is The best Time to Dive the Similan Islands in Thailand?

 

The Similan Islands are renowned as home to the best diving in Thailand. Great dive sites with sloping reefs, deep boulder sites and virtually untouched pinnacles abound. However the weather plays a much bigger factor in the diving there than almost anywhere else in Thailand.

 

The factors that make the Similan Islands such a pleasure to dive also make them off-limits for 5 months of the year. The deep ocean currents in the Indian Ocean can bring in nutrient rich waters – as well as the monsoons! While the Similan Islands have great diving almost year-round, the monsoons make them unsafe to visit from May to October of each eyar.

The Government of Thailand takes this into account by making all visits to the islands off-limits – and illegal – from May 15th to November 1st. There are some nefarious operators who will offer trips during this time frame – but they are not only breaking the law – but also risking YOUR life. It is unwise to take them up on these offers.

From November to May the Similan Islands are open to diving. As the whole Similan Islands National Park lies just shy of the continental Shelf, the coral is well-fed from the nutrient waters. In addition the Islands are far enough off-shore to avoid the pollution and damage from the mass tourism of Phuket.

The very best time to dive the Similan Islands is in February and March. There are virtually no winds, the seas can be like a mirror and many of the large pelagics (Manta Rays, Whale Sharks and others) are playing in the local waters.

If you do plan on visiting – please book early. The Similan Liveaboards, for which the region is famous are often sold out (or at least the popular and safe ones – be very wary of “Last Minute Specials”). Daytrips to the Similan Islands, Koh Bon and also Richelieu Rock depart from Khao Lak each day. Leaving by speedboat, the Similan National Park is only 1 hour away. However, Phuket is still 120 km south, so one day trips are not feasible or sensible.

-Similan Diving

Diving With Turtles in Thailand

Sea turtles have lived on this planet for 130 million years. Now the 7 global species of Marine Turtles are all in serious decline throughout most of their range. Habitat degradation, pollution, egg poaching and over-fishing threaten to make them extinct. Historically, five of these species have been found in Thai waters, although there have been no records of the loggerhead turtle in the last 15 years. The four species of marine turtles that can still be found in Thai waters are below

In Novmeber and December We will be offering an incredible opportunity to learn about and dive with Turtles on the Similan Islands

Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas)
The green turtle is found in scattered areas in both the Andaman and South China Sea coasts, nesting in both areas. They are listed as globally threatened by the World Conservation Union (IUCN) and are protected by International Law (CITES) and Thai Law. Seen occasionally at East of Eden

The Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)
Hawksbill turtles are found near off-shore islands in the coastal waters of the Andaman Sea, and the northern Gulf of Thailand. They are listed as “Critically Endangered” in IUCN’s Red List. It is listed in CITES, and is protected by Thai Law. Frequently seen on Breakfast Bend.

The Olive Ridley Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea)
The number of nests on three major nesting beaches has declined dramatically between 1985 and 2002. Olive Ridley’s are listed as “Endangered” by IUCN, and are protected by CITES and Thai Law. Not observed on Similan Islands many years

The Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)
The leatherback is only known to nest on the Andaman Coast. The leatherback has been listed as globally endangered since 1970, and was confirmed as “Critically Endangered in Thailand” in 1996. It is listed in CITES, and is also protected by Thai Law. While not seen on the Similans, they have been observed nesting on several beaches in the area.

The sea turtle is a reptile which spends all of its life in water. It obviously needs to go to the surface from time to time, to breathe air. Bear in mind they can actually drown if frightened by divers.
The natural longevity of the sea turtles is not entirely known, but they grow very slowly taking about 15 years to reach maturity.The sea turtle’s diet includes sponges, marine worms, corals and even jellyfish
The distribution of turtles in Thai waters is spread out along the fine sand quiet beaches of the coastline and islands in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. These two geographical areas also reflect different nesting times of the turtles.
In the Gulf of Thailand the most important nesting areas for green and hawksbill turtles are Khram and adjacent islands which are located in the inner Gulf, Chonburi Province. There are some islands along the east coast from Chonburi, Rayong and Trat Province and some islands in the middle Gulf of Chumphon and Surat Thani Province where sea turtles are occasionally found. In the Gulf areas, green and hawksbill turtles lay their eggs all year round with the peak from May to August.
In the Andaman Sea coastal areas of Thailand, the main nesting areas are north-west coast of Phuket, and Phang Nga provinces. In particular these areas include Thai Muang Beach and Phrathong Island, Maikhao beach Phuket, Tarutao Island and Adang-Rawi Islands of Satun Province . Olive ridley and (occasionally) Leatherback turtles are found in these areas. The green and hawksbill are found at the Similan Islands, Surin Islands and Tarutao Islands. The nesting season of sea turtles in the Andaman Sea region occurs only from October to March with a peak from mid-November to mid-January.

The females come ashore after dusk, but they have been observed nesting until just before dawn. They select their nesting site and dig a small pit 18 inches deep using their rear flippers. A clutch of between 40 to 180 eggs will be laid, after which the pit will be carefully concealed by sand before they return to the sea. The whole process usually takes about one hour. During the egg laying, the eyes of the turtle will be covered by a colrless mucus to prevent dehydration and keep out the sand grains.
After an incubation period of 60 days, the hatchlings dig their way up to the surface of the pit, usually at night when the sand is cooler. Hatchlings locate the water’s edge by orienting themselves to the horizon, but distant house lights can disorient the youngsters so that they actually crawl away from the sea.
Turtles are most commonly seen in shallow reefs on similan dive sites such as East of Eden or Breakfast Bend but you may see them deeper on rocky sites such as Elephant Head Rock or Deep Six. The usual sightings are Hawksbill and Green turtles.
At Thai Muang (National Park) beach, Leatherback and Olive Ridley are often seen nesting. There is an annual 7 day event here, usually during the first week of March, to release young turtle hatchlings, which have been raised by the Fisheries Department, back into the sea.

THREATS TO MARINE TURTLES IN THAILAND

Sea turtles have lived on this planet for 130 million years, but egg poaching, habitat degradation, pollution, and over-fishing threaten to make them extinct.
The main threats to turtles in Thailand can be summarized as follows:
* Threats to marine turtles from fisheries
* Entanglement (mostly accidental) and drowning in long-line fisheries and shrimp trawling nets
* Much of both the coastal and open seas areas used by turtles is also used by fishermen. Because of this, each year, many turtles are killed (often unintentionally) by entanglement in fishing gear and drowning. Some injured and exhausted turtles are released from nets before they die, but their subsequent fate is uncertain.
* Threats to marine turtles from consumption and trade
* Turtle eggs are also easy to collect, and highly nutritious. In some cultures they are also suggested to have aphrodisiac properties. Turtles have also been hunted for their shells that are used for ornaments, sunglasses and in jewelery. Their hides are cured for leather. In Asia, there has been a long tradition of consuming turtle flesh and eggs for thousands of years. Historically turtle shell has also been traded in the region for hundreds of years.
* Threats to marine turtles from coastal development
* The construction of seawalls, hotels, marinas, and other infrastructure associated with coastal tourism and commerce, have destroyed large areas of turtle nesting beaches around the world.
* Disruptive activities on or near nesting beaches during nesting season, such as activity, noise, lights, etc.
* Turtle reproductive behavior evolved in an environment of deserted, intact beaches. Nowadays, light and noise pollution frequently deter or interrupt many females from successful laying. Hatchlings locate the water’s edge by orienting themselves to the horizon, but house and street lights can disorient newly hatched turtles so that they actually crawl away from the sea.
* Pollution of the oceans, including chemical contamination
* The ingestion of plastic bags and other garbage

If you are interested in Turtles – why not join us in November & December for a our Similan Turtle Tour – Diving and snorkeling with turtles while learning about them and how you can help their continued survival?

-Similan Diving