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  Yahoo News 13 Sep 06
Fibreglass 'reefs' replace tsunami-damaged coral in Thailand

Wed Sep 13, 1:46 PM ET BANGKOK (AFP) - More than 100 fibreglass "reefs" have been planted in the seabed off Thailand's coast to replace tsunami-damaged coral and revive the area's diving industry, the government said.

The artificial reefs, sunk in coastal areas around popular tourist destinations such as Krabi, Phuket and Phangnga, have been sculpted into shapes including African elephants and a flock of birds.

"This project is designed to relieve the burden on the real coral reefs," said project coordinator Pinsak Suraswadi.

The aim is to draw divers away from the fragile living coral, which was badly damaged during the 2004 tsunami that devastated much of Thailand's southern coastline, the environment ministry said.

Some dive spots were closed after the tsunami to allow the coral to recover, forcing more divers into fewer sites.

Some 5,400 people, almost half of them foreigners, died in the tsunami in Thailand, which also caused a severe decline in the kingdom's tourism industry.
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