PHUKET: The deaths of a dolphin, three turtles and a seven-metre whale shark at the weekend have illustrated the Phuket region's losing battle to save its marine environment.
The dolphins and the turtles died at the Phuket Marine Biological Centre at Phuket's Cape Panwa while the male whale shark washed onto a beach at Koh Lanta in Krabi.
"We did our best to save them [the dolphin and turtles]," said marine biologist Dr Patcharaporn Kaewmong. "We wil autopsy the dolphin to see what led to its death."
The 1.2 metre female spinner dolphin was taken to the Phuket centre on September 27.
A virus apparently caused it to become separated from its pod and it swam close to shore at Mai Khao, one of Phuket's quieter west coast beaches.
Turtles, many with flippers or carapaces severely damaged, have washed ashore in greater numbers than ever before at Phuket's west coast beaches this monsoon season.
Those with pierced shells are usually unable to dive to feed and need constant care.
The seven-metre whale shark became the latest marine creature to be beached yesterday at Klongnin, Koh Lanta. Locals and marine biologists buried the carcass after taking DNA samples.
Awareness of the threats to the Phuket region's marine inhabitants has never been greater. Hundreds of volunteers turmed out for a Go-Eco dive on September 30 that cleared dumped nets and trash from Phuket's surrounding coral reefs.
However, precise preventative action is required to stop the dumping and save the turtles especially. Turtles once hatched at all Phuket beaches, but no longer.
Local authorities mostly declare an interest in a "livable and sustainable" Phuket and sometimes even propose erecting more statues of dolphins to show they mean what they say.
Phuket update: Whale shark found dead on Lanta beach
PHUKET: A large whale shark was found dead on Koh Lanta on Sunday morning (October 14), washed ashore on Klong Nin Beach near the Lanta Nice Beach Resort.
Tanyaluk Sakoot The Phuket News 16 Oct 12;
Measuring eight meters in length and weighing about eight tons, the shark is thought to have been dead between five and seven days before being cast ashore.
The Phuket-based Andaman Sea Fisheries Research and Development Centre sent scientists to examine the carcass. They concluded that the animal might have been mortally wounded by a trawler.
Lanta Yai municipality organised an excavator to bury the dead shark under the beach.
Whale sharks are the largest fish in the ocean, growing to recorded lengths of more than 12 metres and weighing more than 20 tons.
Moving ponderously through the water, whale shark are filter feeders, living mainly off plankton. The species is considered “vulnerable” by the UN-affiliated International Union for the Conservation of Nature.
Phuket Talks Aim to Save Marine Life as Fisheries, Tourism Play Blame Game
Prasit Tarnsirisin Phuket Wan 16 Oct 12;
PHUKET: The Director of the Phuket Marine Biological Centre hopes to talk to authorities in the fishing and tourism industries with the aim of better protecting the Phuket region's marine life.
Ukrit Satapoomin made his comment after the burial of a seven-metre whale shark on a beach at Koh Lanta.
The large whale shark died on the same weekend that a sick dolphin and three maimed turtles died as marine biologists at the Phuket centre tried to nurse them back to health.
Marine deaths and maimings have prompted debate about what needs to happen to preserve Phuket's coral reefs and beaches and the creatures that inhabit the waters around them.
The growth in the tourism industry - with more boats and garbage going into the sea - and the fishing industry are blamed for the perception that more marine creatures are now being needlessly killed or maimed.
The Director Of the Phuket Provincial Fisheries Office, Kawi Saranakhomkun, said today that trawlers were well aware of the 3000 metre protected zone around Thailand's coast and did not fish within it.
''Our members operate within the law and every year we hold meetings to remind the captains that they must release endangered animals caught in their nets.''
Khun Kawi said he believed that tourism did far more harm to the Phuket region's marine life than fishing.
''Our industry causes minor damage compared to plastic trash that chokes the animals to death,'' he said. ''There are also more tourist vessels operating within the 3000 metre protected zone than ever before.
''This inevitably leads to propellors hitting the turtles.''
Biological Centre Director Khun Ukrit believes that businesses and local administrations on Phuket have to first take care of all bad water before releasing it into the sea.
''Once that is done, the coastal environment will improve,'' he said. ''Fortunately, Phuket is blessed in some ways by having strong currents that provide some relief.''
He says there are strong economic arguments why the fishing industry needs to be preserved and efforts to change the approach needed to be carried out within those limitations.
''I hope to be able to hold some talks aimed at reducing the toll on marine life,'' he said. ''But there is only so much we can do because the laws are plain.''
More local politicians are using the word ''sustainability'' without necessarily being empowered to achieve it.
Phuketwan has suggested that a Phuket Beach Authority needs to be created to protected all beaches from the rapid damage occurring because of privatisation and pollution.
Meanwhile, the whale shark has been buried on a beach on Koh Lanta. Once the bones have been stripped clean, marine biologists hope to dig up the skeleton for display.