Diving Liveaboard in Burma with Andaman Scuba

BURMA BANKS & MERGUI ARCHIPELAGO

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In 1997 Myanmar (Burma) was opening up to foreigners for the first time in over fifty years.

Diving was along this time exceptional, and few reportages was published. Ranking of this destination increased with the possibility of hundred exciting unexplored dive sites.

During the same time dynamite fishing become more popular through the fisheries community, and some dive sites became desert as the Burma Banks where sharks were abundant before.

The 4 last years, the highest destroying fishing technical become very well organized, and fisherman operating with by fleet

In 2003, on each cruise, we have encountered the same disaster and the horrible spectacle of dead fish carpet bottom. Many species who were the highlight of this destination are now very rare.

In 2004, we have boycotted the destination, but have continued to regularly earned dynamite explosions from Richelieu Rock (northern point of Thai waters). As we know sound propagation underwater are 5 time better than surface, and explosion can be feel until more than 50 km. We have also recorded video and sound to prove that fact.

Today most of the best diving sites in South of Mergui have been dilapidated; millions and millions fishes, pelagic as well as sedentary, has been bombed.

The remain preserved area and dive sites are located now far north Mergui Archipelago, where some others operators have decided to go.

For this reason, and the high corruption of the local Burmese authorities who didn't take at that time any action against theses massacres we have decided to stop our diving cruises to this destination (southern Mergui), where the quality of diving is now poor, moreover with the higher price and visa fees.

Even we have a lot invested to promote and organize diving cruises there, your satisfaction remain our goal, and we have chosen honesty and passion instead of profit.

We have organized a petition, and hundred & hundred divers has joined us in our action. We tank you here all.

From few months ago, it's look like Burmese authorities start to be concerned by our decision, and are forced by tourism and financial interest to stop this massacre. Some good decisions has been taken : at first a Shark protection zone has been established, and special task force has been named et started to catch illegal fishing boats.

Beside this positive way, the local corrupted authorities remain unfortunately the same, and keep eyes close on some fishing operations: licenses and authorizations remain signed today even with well known "illegal" fishing business.

For this high point and of course the poor quality of South Mergui Archipelago Dive sites (damages need months and years to come back to a normal ecologic situation), we continue to don't organize cruises in Burma Waters.

We encourage you to join us in our petitions until the facts change totally (it's difficult to change a way and keep the same corrupted persons ...at the head ...)

Say no to dynamite fishing massacres!

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ANDAMAN SCUBA

PHUKET : 224/10 - Patak Rd - KARON BEACH - PHUKET 83100
Tel / Fax: + 66 76 398 331
KHAO LAK - 69/3 Moo 5 - BANG NIANG BEACH - KHAO LAK 82190
Tel / Fax: + 66 76 486 450

E-mail: info@andamanscuba.com