(Photo by Methee Muangkaew)TRANG: Marine officials and local residents have geared up to protect dugongs or phayoon by installing buoys off Koh Libong to demarcate the zone where tourists can safely view the rare sea mammals. The floating devices were deemed necessary because too many boats offering trips to view the dugongs were getting too close to their fragile habitat. Residents and authorities were worried that noisy boat engines might disturb the animals and sharp propellers could endanger them further. Mr Chaipreuk said the demarcation of a special zone was aimed at conserving seagrass areas and protecting dugongs. Boats that take tourists to see dugongs are now required to moor outside the area where the buoys are installed, and to turn off their engines, he added.

Source: Bangkok Post May 17, 2019 12:00 UTC