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Chaloklum Diving facing the end?
The diving centre with diving school has been established on the island of Koh Phangan in the Gulf of Thailand for over 26 years. Many thousands of people from all over the world have learned to dive here and have taken their first breaths under water. Lots of them have returned again and again to enjoy their holidays and relaxed, safe and ecological diving in the unique underwater world of Thailand's east coast. For good reason, Chaloklum Diving has occupied top positions in the relevant travel portals for years. But now the dive centre is on the verge of closing. This is bad news for the dive centre and its customers, but also for the local reefs. Why this has consequences not only for the operators, but also for the environment, will be explained in detail later. But first: How did it come to this?
The global crisis hits hard
The global COVID crisis has brought tourism to a standstill worldwide since the beginning of last year. Thailand responded with a mix of sometimes harsh restrictions on daily life such as curfews and temporary closures of shops, as well as an entry ban. As a result, the country was able to bring infection rates almost entirely to zero. But it came at a high price. The entire tourism industry has been in the doldrums ever since and has not recovered to this day. It is possible to travel to the country again, but the two-week quarantine deters most people willing to travel. Just when the situation seemed to be easing, the so-called third wave hit the country hard. Since December last year, the domestic infection figures have been rising. Again there are curfews and business restrictions....
Chaloklum Diving, like all other tourism-dependent businesses, has been hit hard and the number of people who can dive with Chaloklum Diving or learn to dive here is limited to those who live in the country anyway. Too few to survive.
Crisis management
The owner and manager Nick Chapman has responded to the crisis with a whole series of measures. With a heavy heart, the location of the dive centre was given up a few months ago to save on rent. Since then, the dive centre has been run from his family's home in the centre of Chaloklum. Wages were cut, and some staff even had to be laid off. When it still looked as if the crisis was foreseeably over, loyal customers and friends of the dive centre helped by booking and paying for diving trips in advance. After it became clear that the crisis was not expected to end quickly, customers and friends were asked for advice on what could be done now. The vast majority advised to start a funding campaign.
What does this have to do with the reefs?
Ecological activities have always been an essential part of Chaloklum Diving's operations. Over the decades, Nick Chapman has built up an extensive image database on the tropical underwater world and the reefs of the region, which even attracts international scientific attention. The team has been carrying out regular reef cleaning campaigns and inspections for years. These actions have ensured that the "house reef" at Chaloklum Bay is in a more than acceptable condition. This is despite the fact that it is heavily polluted by factors such as land development, rubbish and rising temperatures. If Chaloklum Diving does not survive, there will be no one left to look after the reefs. That is the sad truth.
Why are the reefs so important?
Coral reefs are also called the "rainforest of the seas". They are the largest structures on earth created by living creatures. Coral reefs are complex marine ecosystems. They are the habitat for a community of plants and animals, for example worms, molluscs, sponges, echinoderms and crustaceans. Coral reefs are of great importance as "nurseries" for pelagic fish.
"Worldwide, the livelihoods of about half a billion people depend at least in part on the existence of coral reefs. In addition, it is assumed that about 30 million people, mainly inhabitants of atolls, are completely dependent on such reefs. In addition, corals protect beaches from erosion and storm damage. Tourists appreciate the reefs for their beauty. Coral reefs are also home to a variety of marine life and are vital to their existence." [wikipedia]
Reefs in danger
In addition to factors that cannot be influenced locally, such as climate change with higher water temperatures, there are a number of immediate threats to the reefs. Rubbish damages the reefs in different ways: Rubbish bags and so-called ghost nets cover the corals and virtually "suffocate" them by shielding them from sunlight. Metal scrap can lead to an increase in metal levels in the water. Copper, for example from old cables, is particularly dangerous: "Excessive copper levels from about 20 µg/l can cause partial death of corals. This starts with a clear brightening of Acropora (later Seriatopora, Pocillopora and Montipora) and soft corals. First, molluscs such as mussels and snails die, as well as shrimps. Typically, the onset is gradual before the symptoms increase dramatically at some point." [faunamarin]
In action for the reefs
The Chaloklum Diving team has been carrying out regular (weekly) reef cleaning campaigns for years. Each time, dozens of kilograms of rubbish, nets and metal scrap are removed from the reefs. Over the years, several tonnes of rubbish have been brought ashore. The reefs are grateful. The team have realized that the "maintained" areas of the reefs recovered much faster from the regular coral bleaching than comparable areas that the team can only inspect rarely for logistical reasons.
What are the donations used for?
Running a dive centre is not cheap. It starts with the required licences, some of which have to be renewed annually. Taxes are flat and compulsory. The dive boat needs diesel, maintenance and a reliable captain. Dive tanks need to be filled and equipment regularly serviced. Dive instructors and divemasters are paid by the job, as is customary in the industry, and reef cleaning activities are voluntary and unpaid.
The target sum is calculated for the operation for another year.
What happens if more money comes in than needed?
The old location of the dive centre had to be closed down a few months ago for financial reasons. If enough additional donations come in through this funding, the team will start looking for a new location. If there is still something left over, it will be given to charitable organisations on the island. Chaloklum Diving is not alone in being affected by the crisis and would be happy if other meaningful activities can be helped with this campaign.
Support Chaloklum Diving now
Any donation is most welcome and Chaloklum Diving will dedicate an exclusive entry in their Marine Life database to donors of 50 €/Dollar or more. This way your generous commitment will be visible and preserved for all time.
Example of a sponsored page :
Histoire en français
Chaloklum Diving facing the end?
The diving centre with diving school has been established on the island of Koh Phangan in the Gulf of Thailand for over 26 years. Many thousands of people from all over the world have learned to dive here and have taken their first breaths under water. Lots of them have returned again and again to enjoy their holidays and relaxed, safe and ecological diving in the unique underwater world of Thailand's east coast. For good reason, Chaloklum Diving has occupied top positions in the relevant travel portals for years. But now the dive centre is on the verge of closing. This is bad news for the dive centre and its customers, but also for the local reefs. Why this has consequences not only for the operators, but also for the environment, will be explained in detail later. But first: How did it come to this?
The global crisis hits hard
The global COVID crisis has brought tourism to a standstill worldwide since the beginning of last year. Thailand responded with a mix of sometimes harsh restrictions on daily life such as curfews and temporary closures of shops, as well as an entry ban. As a result, the country was able to bring infection rates almost entirely to zero. But it came at a high price. The entire tourism industry has been in the doldrums ever since and has not recovered to this day. It is possible to travel to the country again, but the two-week quarantine deters most people willing to travel. Just when the situation seemed to be easing, the so-called third wave hit the country hard. Since December last year, the domestic infection figures have been rising. Again there are curfews and business restrictions....
Chaloklum Diving, like all other tourism-dependent businesses, has been hit hard and the number of people who can dive with Chaloklum Diving or learn to dive here is limited to those who live in the country anyway. Too few to survive.
Crisis management
The owner and manager Nick Chapman has responded to the crisis with a whole series of measures. With a heavy heart, the location of the dive centre was given up a few months ago to save on rent. Since then, the dive centre has been run from his family's home in the centre of Chaloklum. Wages were cut, and some staff even had to be laid off. When it still looked as if the crisis was foreseeably over, loyal customers and friends of the dive centre helped by booking and paying for diving trips in advance. After it became clear that the crisis was not expected to end quickly, customers and friends were asked for advice on what could be done now. The vast majority advised to start a funding campaign.
What does this have to do with the reefs?
Ecological activities have always been an essential part of Chaloklum Diving's operations. Over the decades, Nick Chapman has built up an extensive image database on the tropical underwater world and the reefs of the region, which even attracts international scientific attention. The team has been carrying out regular reef cleaning campaigns and inspections for years. These actions have ensured that the "house reef" at Chaloklum Bay is in a more than acceptable condition. This is despite the fact that it is heavily polluted by factors such as land development, rubbish and rising temperatures. If Chaloklum Diving does not survive, there will be no one left to look after the reefs. That is the sad truth.
Why are the reefs so important?
Coral reefs are also called the "rainforest of the seas". They are the largest structures on earth created by living creatures. Coral reefs are complex marine ecosystems. They are the habitat for a community of plants and animals, for example worms, molluscs, sponges, echinoderms and crustaceans. Coral reefs are of great importance as "nurseries" for pelagic fish.
"Worldwide, the livelihoods of about half a billion people depend at least in part on the existence of coral reefs. In addition, it is assumed that about 30 million people, mainly inhabitants of atolls, are completely dependent on such reefs. In addition, corals protect beaches from erosion and storm damage. Tourists appreciate the reefs for their beauty. Coral reefs are also home to a variety of marine life and are vital to their existence." [wikipedia]
Reefs in danger
In addition to factors that cannot be influenced locally, such as climate change with higher water temperatures, there are a number of immediate threats to the reefs. Rubbish damages the reefs in different ways: Rubbish bags and so-called ghost nets cover the corals and virtually "suffocate" them by shielding them from sunlight. Metal scrap can lead to an increase in metal levels in the water. Copper, for example from old cables, is particularly dangerous: "Excessive copper levels from about 20 µg/l can cause partial death of corals. This starts with a clear brightening of Acropora (later Seriatopora, Pocillopora and Montipora) and soft corals. First, molluscs such as mussels and snails die, as well as shrimps. Typically, the onset is gradual before the symptoms increase dramatically at some point." [faunamarin]
In action for the reefs
The Chaloklum Diving team has been carrying out regular (weekly) reef cleaning campaigns for years. Each time, dozens of kilograms of rubbish, nets and metal scrap are removed from the reefs. Over the years, several tonnes of rubbish have been brought ashore. The reefs are grateful. The team have realized that the "maintained" areas of the reefs recovered much faster from the regular coral bleaching than comparable areas that the team can only inspect rarely for logistical reasons.
What are the donations used for?
Running a dive centre is not cheap. It starts with the required licences, some of which have to be renewed annually. Taxes are flat and compulsory. The dive boat needs diesel, maintenance and a reliable captain. Dive tanks need to be filled and equipment regularly serviced. Dive instructors and divemasters are paid by the job, as is customary in the industry, and reef cleaning activities are voluntary and unpaid.
The target sum is calculated for the operation for another year.
What happens if more money comes in than needed?
The old location of the dive centre had to be closed down a few months ago for financial reasons. If enough additional donations come in through this funding, the team will start looking for a new location. If there is still something left over, it will be given to charitable organisations on the island. Chaloklum Diving is not alone in being affected by the crisis and would be happy if other meaningful activities can be helped with this campaign.
Support Chaloklum Diving now
Any donation is most welcome and Chaloklum Diving will dedicate an exclusive entry in their Marine Life database to donors of 50 €/Dollar or more. This way your generous commitment will be visible and preserved for all time.
Example of a sponsored page :
Co-organizers (7)
Guy Neuschwander
Organizer
Onex, GE
Frank Zaharia
Co-organizer
Michael Reichlmayr
Co-organizer
Marc Eulitz
Co-organizer
Chris Telford
Co-organizer