An oil spill originating from an unverified source, suspected to be a ship, contaminated the shores of Sirinat National Park and Koh Racha Yai. Authorities have already managed to clear up round three tonnes of oil.
The Deputy Director-General of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, Pornsri Suthanaruk, met yesterday with experts in maritime and coastal ecosystems, the director of Marine and Coastal Resources Research Centre, Upper Andaman Sea department, and deputy governor of Phuket – Amnuay Pinsuwan. The staff deliberated on clean-up measures to fight the Phuket oil spill.
The Phuket oil spill is projected to have begun off the coast of the neighbouring Phang Nga province last week, later making its method to Koh Racha Yai, Phuket by the weekend. Approximately two tonnes of oil were collected from the sandy beaches of Sirinat National Park, whereas the remaining one tonne came from Koh Racha Yai.
Experts are also taking into account the environmental influence. The colossal slick has put vulnerable undersea coral, spread throughout four,000 rai from Phang Nga to Phuket at risk. Along with Incredibly , authorities are unearthing details about marine life casualties brought on by the Phuket oil spill. Pornsri confirmed that authorities are keen on eliminating as much oil as they will, in haste, to prevent any seepage into the sand which could result in an enduring danger for shellfish.
The Department disclosed that the Phuket oil spill already claimed the lives of four sea turtles. Autopsies revealed oil remnants inside the stomachs of the turtles, indicating the chance of the oil originating from a tanker or cargo ship.
Authorities have additionally issued a warning to tourists against swimming or beachcombing within the contaminated areas. In addition, they had been inspired to report any oil sightings to the local authorities, reported Bangkok Post.
In the hopes of creating a link to the origin of this slick, the department has performed a sea present and wind speed simulation for the previous ten days. The evaluation indicated that the spillage may have happened around 90 nautical miles east of Phuket..