The Arrangement of Man-Made Dive Site for SCUBA Diving Activities at the EX-HTMS Sattakut, Koh Tao, Surat Thani Province

Abstract

This study was investigated under a team of Marine Science Department, Faculty of Fisheries, Kasetsart Univeristy. The aim of this study was to arrange a man-made dive site for scuba diving activities at the EX-HTMS Sattakut, Koh Tao, Surat Thani Province. The study took place over a thirty one-month period from June 2011 until January 2014. For this purpose, the site was surveyed to pinpoint the appropriate patterns of ship settlement for the advantage, sessile benthic organisms and fish observations. As a result, the EX-HTMS Sattakut was set at the west coast of Koh Tao, the south of white rock at a marine water depth of 27-28 metres. The results from 100 questionnaires indicated that divers who visited at the site were satisfied. There are more than 100 visitors per day. In case of marine diversity, 6 phylum 19 species of sessile benthic organisms were found. The important dominant species at the site is Antipathes sp which has risen more than 15,000 branches. 15 families and 27 species of fish were also found, especially pelagic fish (Caesio teres) and demersal fish (Neopomacentrus cyanomos). The evidence from this study suggests that painting ships should be avoided and precedence to vertical surface of ship should be given. Observing sessile benthic organisms after three-year period of ship settlement is another suggestion as well as keeping observing and assessing.