Divers Remove Fishing Net From Damaged Coral

This reef off the coast of the small Thai island of Koh Losin was being choked by a 2,750-square-meter fishing net. 42 divers made up of volunteers, members of the Coastal Resources Research Center, and members of the Royal Thai Navy came in for a 2-day operation to remove the net and plant young coral in damaged areas.

Divers had to carefully cut the net and then tie plastic bags filled with air so that they would float to the surface. Most of the damage was from bleaching, but the net had also broken and scratched parts of the reef and hurt other marine organisms. The reef is expected to recover in 2 to 3 months. Fishing nets are prohibited in the waters off Koh Losin, and police are looking for the boat responsible.

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