Two female dugongs, likely a mother and her calf, were found dead on the shores of Koh Mak Noi, near the famed Koh Panyee in Phang Nga Bay recently, prompting swift action from Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Environment Minister, Police General Patcharawat Wongsuwan. The demise of these creatures has catalysed an urgent call for stricter protective measures of the endangered marine mammal.

 

The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) circulated the directive online, although the precise cause and time of the dugongs' deaths remain uncertain. Measuring 3.3 and 2.2 metres respectively, the adult and calf were found without visible injuries, disputing initial speculations of a boat propeller incident.

 

The MNRE minister stressed on the escalating need for protection as this incident brings the death toll to 20 dugongs since the beginning of this year. Declaring a stringent fishing ban in seagrass areas and strict speed limits for boats, Patcharawat made an appeal, "We need to jointly analyse and find ways to determine measures to care for, protect, and prevent injury and death of rare marine animals, especially dugongs”.

 

Global warming has led to dwindling seagrass beds, the primary food source for dugongs, necessitating their migration to new feeding grounds. However, these areas often teem with fishing activities, making them hazardous to the alimentary pursuits of these mammals.

 

Officialdom is now prioritising the marking of seagrass territories and potential risk areas in the migratory paths of these creatures. Pol. Gen. Patcharawat also directed an augmentation of patrols in protected seagrass locales to contain illegal fishing.

 

It's not just the responsibility of officials; the public has a role to play as well. Observations of illegal activities in these zones or of distressed dugongs can be reported via the DMCR Volunteer project hotline. These collective efforts illustrate the ambitious steps Thai officials and the community are taking in a bid to shield these charming creatures from further harm.

 

File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Google

 

-- 2024-05-13

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

12 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The MNRE minister stressed on the escalating need for protection as this incident brings the death toll to 20 dugongs since the beginning of this year. Declaring a stringent fishing ban in seagrass areas and strict speed limits for boats, Patcharawat made an appeal, "We need to jointly analyse and find ways to determine measures to care for, protect, and prevent injury and death of rare marine animals, especially dugongs”.

Not just Dugongs, sea grass areas are well known for the protection they offer to new-born fish fry, any sea fishing in these areas should be banned... but Thais will fish for everything in the oceans irrelevant of sustainability.

I wonder if these Dugongs were trapped in fishing net and drowned, to be released dead in the waters to be eventually washed ashore?

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

urgent call for stricter protective

That's typical.

A "call". Tomorrow forgotten.

No actions will come.

A shame🙏