Myanmar(Burma) Mergui Archipelago National Park Project

News,News, News (23rd of September 2006)

Dear Guests, Friends and Colleagues.

For many many years now, we have been the "EYES AND EARS" of the Mergui Archipelago, we have stayed on despite politics (the situation in Burma), zero support by NGO'S, Governments or other concerned Agencies. We have stayed on, despite the loss of money (as you all know, a Western sponsored boycott is in place, which leaves no bread on the table of the small poeple, but rest assured puts a BIG smile on the faces of the BIG players, namely China, India, Thailand, Singapore, Korea and Russia, who happily filled the Gap to take part in the wholesale destruction of Burma), the frustration, the endlessly slow process to get the Mergui Archipealgo protected, but today finally we have reason for Joy, (even if it came to pass in an totally unexpected way).

News, News, News, as some of you already know, the blast fishing in Burma has stopped as of 23 of September 2006, as a result of the coup in Thailand, the Thai police (who looked away for years and most likely cashed in on it) lost there Godfather, Mr. Thaksin and the military cracked down in Ranong arresting the Thai culprits responsible for years of blast fishing in Myanmar.

In any case it is great news that we were able (a few dive operators) through persistency and against all odds (that is, politics, politicians and the Thai/Burmes dynamite mafia) who couldn't care less for the environment in Myanmar.

Thanks to all for your help and keep up the fight.

Please contact us if you like to receive more information.
More good News, New dive site found ! (yep still actively searching despite the diesel costs)
http://www.burma-liveaboard.com/engl/mergui_archipelago_divesites/burma_dendros_peak.htm

Have a great day and best regards,
Michael

We received the following fantastic news

One Year after the Myanmar diving operators organized the

Mergui Archipelago Seminar

Today we are happy to announce that Burma has moved to protect the shrinking shark population in it's waters.

A shark protection zone was proposed late last month for Myeik (Mergui) archipelago, which comprises more then 800 islands stretching some 400km north to south along the peninsula shared with Thailand.

Source: Bangkok Post 10th of May 2004.

According to a Reef Check organization survey Myanmars's reefs boast a healthy 75% coral coverage which is very good news to all of us, for more information please visit their site.

But the current political situation in Myanmar including the international boycotts make the country easy prey for it's neighbors.

To preserve and counter any future negative trends

Myanmar Dive Operators recently formed the MDO committee currently a loose affiliation Phuket based companies.

Our common goal is to preserve the beauty of the Mergui Archipelago and the establishment of an Marine National Park.

COMPANY REPRESENTED BY:

Siam Dive ‘n Sail 1 Mr John Williams, Viking Liveaboards 2 Mr Mike Hjort, Kontiki 3 Mr Patrick Catellani, SEAL 4 Mr Adam Frost, Scuba Quest- Faah Yai 5 Mr Alain Merret, Chulalongkorn University Bangkok 6 Dr Thorn Thamrongnawasawat, Free Lance Conservationist 7 Mr Paul Foley, Seaworld 8 Mr Claude Maigrot de Crissey, Fantasea Divers – Ocean Rover Cruises 9 Mr Jeroen Deknatel, Aqua Sports – Aqua One 10 Mr Kasidith Snidvongse Na Ayudhaya, Santana 11 Mrs Andrea Hinrichs, Genesis Livaboards 12 Mr Pascal Laigle, Santana 13 Mr Horst Hinrichs, Private Dive 14 Mr Alexander Kroner, Divemaster 15 Mrs Pornchan Changkajorn, Seaworld 16 Mrs Phawadee de Crissey

Please consider to book with one of the above companies to support our goal.

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