As part of our ongoing series of Similan Island Marinel Life, Similan Diving presents:
Four Main Species of Turtle make their homes here in the Andaman region
THE LEATHERBACK TURTLE
(Dermochelys coriacea)
In Thailand the leatherback is only known to nest on the Andaman Coast. The leatherback has been listed as globally endangered since 1970, and was confirmed as "Critically Endangered in Thailand" in 1996. It is listed in CITES Appendix I, and is also protected by Thai Law (WARPA 2535)
THE GREEN TURTLE
(Chelonia mydas)
In Thailand the green turtle is found in scattered areas in both the Andaman and South China Sea coasts, nesting in both areas. They are listed as globally threatened by the World Conservation Union (IUCN) and are protected by International Law (CITES Appendix I) and Thai Law (WARPA 2535)
THE HAWKSBILL TURTLE
(Eretmochelys imbricata)
In Thailand, they are found near of-shore islands in the coastal waters of the Andaman Sea, and the northern Gulf of Thailand. Given the worldwide decline in numbers, the Hawksbill is listed as "Critically Endangered" in IUCN's Red List. It is listed in CITES Appendix I, and is protected by Thai Law (WARPA 2535).
THE OLIVE RIDLEY TURTLE
(Lepidochelys olivacea)
In Thailand, the number of nests on three major nesting beaches has declined dramatically from 350 in 1985 to just 11 in 2000. Olive Ridley's are listed as "Endangered" by IUCN, are protected by CITES (Appendix I) and Thai Law (WARPA 2535)
THREATS TO MARINE TURTLES IN THAILAND
Sea turtles have lived on this planet for 130 million years, but egg poaching, habitat degradation, pollution, and over-fishing threaten to make them extinct.
The main threats to turtles in Thailand can be summarized as follows:
- Threats to marine turtles from fisheries
- Entanglement (mostly accidental) and drowning in long-line fisheries and shrimp trawling nets
- Much of both the coastal and open seas areas used by turtles is also used by fishermen. Because of this, each year, many turtles are killed (often unintentionally) by entanglement in fishing gear and drowning. Some injured and exhausted turtles are released from nets before they die, but their subsequent fate is uncertain.
- Threats to marine turtles from consumption and trade
- Turtle eggs are also easy to collect, and highly nutritious. In some cultures they are also suggested to have aphrodisiac properties. Turtles have also been hunted for their shells that are used for ornaments, sunglasses and in jewelery. Their hides are cured for leather. In Asia, there has been a long tradition of consuming turtle flesh and eggs for thousands of years. Historically turtle shell has also been traded in the region for hundreds of years.
- Threats to marine turtles from coastal development
- The construction of seawalls, hotels, marinas, and other infrastructure associated with coastal tourism and commerce, have destroyed large areas of turtle nesting beaches around the world.
- Disruptive activities on or near nesting beaches during nesting season, such as activity, noise, lights, etc.
- Turtle reproductive behavior evolved in an environment of deserted, intact beaches. Nowadays, light and noise pollution frequently deter or interrupt many females from successful laying. Hatchlings locate the water's edge by orienting themselves to the horizon, but house and street lights can disorient newly hatched turtles so that they actually crawl away from the sea.
- Pollution of the oceans, including chemical contamination
- The ingestion of plastic bags and other garbage
GOVERNMENT EFFORTS AND THE ROLE OF THE ROYAL FAMILY
Marine Turtles have been given legal protection in Thailand for many years. A Ministerial Decree for implementation of Article 32 (7) of The Thai Fisheries law of 1947 prohibited turtle fisheries, with a fine and/or imprisonment for offenders.
However, turtle egg collection was still allowed under a concession system, supervised by the Department of Fisheries, and export of turtle shell was not prohibited per se.
In the 1960s and 1970s, WWF funded turtle surveys in Australia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Western Indonesia. By this time, the situation in Thailand was already very worrying. Turtle eggs were being collected on a commercial basis. The harvest was in steep decline, and regulations to limit the harvest were largely being ignored. Even more threatening was the increase in the number of large commercial fishing vessels that were killing large numbers of adults.
With the proliferation of modern motorized fishing vessels, using trawls and push-nets, a further Ministerial Regulation of 20 July 1972 was issued to exclude certain kinds of fishing vessels and fishing gear (particularly push nets and trawls used by boats with engines) from a 3km zone around the entire coast of Southern Thailand. In addition, many coastal areas were subsequently protected as Marine National Parks. However, between 1976-78, Thailand still exported an average of 35,000 kg of turtle shell/year.
Her Majesty Queen Sirikit initiated specific turtle conservation activities in 1979, with instructions to the government of the day. On August 11, 1979, Her Majesty established Her Turtle Conservation project on Man Nai Island off the cost of Rayong in the Gulf of Thailand, donating the island to the Department of Fisheries for the project, with the objectives to:
- Promote effective and technically appropriate breeding of marine turtles
- Care for adult turtle breeding stock
- Disseminate technical knowledge of breeding and conservation of turtles
On November 19, 1980, in line with Her Majesty's wish to improve turtle conservation, the Department of Fisheries asked the Ministry of Commerce to prohibit further export of turtle shell.
In 1980, WWF provided boats to the Marine National Parks Division to undertake status surveys and combat nest poachers at Turatao National Park.
His Majesty King Bhumibhol Adulyadej initiated the Kung Krabaen Bay integrated coastal development research center, established in Chanthaburi 1982, to support and promote sustainable coastal fisheries and aquaculture development.
THE PRINCESS CHULABHORN 36 MARINE PARK PROJECT &
CHULABHORN MARINE PARK CONSERVATORY CENTER
The Princess Chulabhorn 36 Marine Park Project aims to protect coral and marine vegetation in the Andaman Sea, protect forests on Similan, Surin, Bon and Tachai islands, and create public awareness and appreciation of nature.
The Project was initiated by the Chulabhorn Research Institute, the Royal Thai Navy and government and private sector agencies including the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plants, the Department of Fisheries, Phang-nga Province, and the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Siam Commercial Bank, to honour the Princess on the occasion of Her Royal Highness's 36th birthday.
Marine patrols by Navy staff serve to discourage unsustainable fishing practices and prevent the capture of marine fish for the pet trade.
The naval unit also provides assistance to tourists such as in the case of medical emergencies arising in the course of their travels in the Andaman Sea.
Intensive 6-week dive training courses are provided to state officials with direct responsibilities for marine conservation. Each year a 14-day "Scuba Divers for Marine Resources Conservation" is offered to volunteers. Eight classes have been conducted since 1997. Graduates are involved in the deployment of mooring buoys and coral reef markers, and diving buoys to safeguard against damage to coral reefs.
With the coordination of international dive operators, almost 300 mooring buoys were set in 2002-3 with more planned for reefs in the provinces of Krabi, Trang and Satun. Maps featuring coral outcrops and locations of buoys and markers are drawn up.
The project also encourages officials in communities that benefit economically from marine resources to participate in ecotourism and conservation initiatives, so the resources are sustainable.
Finally, a sea turtle hatchery is managed by the Royal Thai Navy. An important nesting beach for Green turtles lies on Yu Yong Island (Similan Island No. 1). Eggs are harvested from the island, and hatched in controlled conditions, for later release at other degraded sites.
Established in 1993, the Project is based at the Third Naval Unit at Thai Muang, Phang-nga Province.
THE PRINCESS CHULABHORN 36 MARINE PARK PROJECT
(PHANG-NGA) &
CHULABHORN MARINE PARK CONSERVATORY CENTRE
Moo 5 Ban Taplamu, Amphoe Thai Muang, Phang-nga Province 82210, Thailand
Tel: Tel: 66-(0)-7659-5169 to 70
THE ROYAL THAI NAVY TURTLE CONSERVATION CENTRE (HATCHERY)
Third Naval Unit, the Naval Operations Unit, of the Royal Thai Navy
Phang-nga Naval Base
Tel: Tel: 66-(0)-7659-5169 to 70
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