An unusually dense plankton bloom off the eastern coast of Thailand is creating an aquatic “dead zone”, threatening the livelihood of local fisherman and resulting in large quantities of dead fish washing ashore on beaches in the Chon Buri region.

Published 7 months ago

Source:  The Nation Thailand

Marine scientists say some areas in the Gulf of Thailand have more than 10 times the normal amount of plankton, turning the water a bright green and killing off marine life.

Plankton blooms happen one or two times a year and typically last two to three days. Blooms can produce toxins that harm the environment, or kill off marine life by depleting the oxygen in the water and blocking sunlight.

While the cause of the intense plankton bloom remains unclear, scientists believe pollution and the intense heat caused by climate change are to blame.

“This is the first time that I’ve seen it so bad,” said marine scientist Tanuspong Pokavanich. “It is very severe.”

“El Niño causes drought and higher sea temperatures,” said Tanuspong. “Everything will get worse if we don’t adjust how we manage resources, water waste and how we live.”

The Chon Buri coast, a region famous for its mussel farms, has suffered significantly from this recent bloom. Over 80% of the nearly 300 plots in the area have been impacted.

Local officials have reported finding large quantities of dead fish along a 1,500-metre stretch of shoreline on the popular beaches in Chon Buri as a direct result of the bloom. Despite the decrease in oxygen levels due to the bloom, officials have reassured the public that the seawater in the area remains safe for recreational activities and for the surrounding communities, reported The Pattaya News.

Earlier this year, a plankton bloom caused thousands of dead fish to wash up along a stretch of beach in Thailand’s southern Chumphon province, with experts blaming climate change for stimulating the natural phenomenon.

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Related News:

• Extreme Plankton Bloom threatens Marine Life, Fisheries (The Nation Thailand)
• Dense Plankton Bloom Threatens Fisheries in Chonburi (The Pattaya News)
• Plankton Bloom Dyes Thailand Seas Green (ABC News)

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