Hoping to restore the ecological balance after a traumatic oil spill, Rayong’s Fishing Department released more than 7 million shrimp, crabs and fish into the sea.
Department Director-General Vimol Janthrarothai hosted the animal release in Makhampom, Krum Kaleng Sept. 2. PTT Global Chemical Plc, the company responsible for the July 27 oil spill that blackened beaches on Koh Samet, sponsored the release of 2.5 million banana shrimp, 4.6 million tiger prawns, 230,000 blue crabs and 50,000 silver perch.
Rayong’s Fishing Department enlisted school children, local residents and local officials to help them release more than 7 million shrimp, crabs and fish into the sea.
The release was part of a larger plan to set free 50 million marine animals to restock fishing grounds in Rayong Bay.
Vimol said testing has shown that despite the nearly 100 tons of oil that was released into the sea, conditions including water salinity, acidity and dissolved oxygen had returned to normal levels. However, he said, more testing will be done to determine the long-term effect on the marine ecosystem.
