Picture courtesy of The Pew Charitable Trust

 

Thailand's Minister of Natural Resources, Chalermchai Sri-on, has issued an urgent plea for collective action to combat the conservation crisis threatening seagrass and dugongs. Speaking at a turtle release event in Phuket, Chalermchai highlighted the dire need for collaboration among government, private sectors, and volunteers to safeguard these endangered marine species.

 

At the heart of the initiative is the Royal Thai Navy's significant progress in dugong conservation, although further efforts are crucial to rehabilitation due to ongoing habitat damage. Innovative approaches, such as developing food capsules for dugongs, are underway. Chalermchai urged fishermen to exercise caution when navigating seagrass habitats to avoid harm.

 

A reduction in accidental dugong deaths signals progress, but misconceptions about their tusks persist, requiring public awareness. Chalermchai emphasized that boosting feeding grounds could support population growth and called for public backing of conservation efforts.

 

The event, in honour of His Royal Highness Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti, included advanced conservation techniques like satellite tracking of green sea turtles. Two turtles were equipped with transmitters for long-term research on feeding grounds and survival rates, enhancing marine life understanding.

 

 

 

Notable attendees, including Vice Admiral Suwat Donsakul, witnessed Chalermchai lead the release of rehabilitated turtles, Poseidon and Phrommin, underscoring successful conservation efforts.

 

Drones showcased marine monitoring techniques in action, while exhibitions highlighted sea turtle conservation and biodiversity. Local citizen scientists were recognised for their contributions to dugong and seagrass monitoring, revealing Thailand's community-driven conservation efforts.

 

Chalermchai reaffirmed the government's commitment to safeguarding marine biodiversity, urging continued partnership among all stakeholders to protect Thailand's vital marine ecosystems, reported The Thaiger.

 

 

-- 2025-03-17

 

 

Thailand does do a good job with animal conservation.

Wild monkeys, elephants, tigers, panthers, bears etc found living freely in national parks.

It is an amazing place. 
 

1 hour ago, MalcolmB said:

Thailand does do a good job with animal conservation.

Wild monkeys, elephants, tigers, panthers, bears etc found living freely in national parks.

It is an amazing place. 

 

They are doing a good job on the land. 

It is the fishing that is doing a lot of damage to the seagrass.

With fish stocks dwindling, many boats are now dredging.

This rips up the seagrass and the dugongs starve. 

That includes the illegal fishing boats from other countries.

They do not care about the ecology, they just want fish at any price.