Sea Turtles in Gulf of Thailand

The Thai Navy's Sea Conservation Centre Ensures Their Survival

Jun 26, 2009

Sea Turtles are recognized as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Natural Resources, and Thailand makes efforts to help their survival.

In Thailand, dozens of sea turtles come ashore every year on Khram Island, an isolated spot in the Gulf of Thailand, approximately 30 km. from the beach city of Pattaya. They come to lay their eggs in what is one of the biggest nesting sites for them in the area.

Both the survival of the turtles' eggs and the hatchlings which are a result of a successful nesting, are under constant threat from humans hungry for their meat and eggs. However, in Thailand, the Navy patrolling the Andaman Sea has been protecting them for nearly 20 years. Not only that but it is projected that the numbers of hatchlings released into the sea will increase this year.

Species of Sea Turtle Found in the Gulf of Thailand

Five species of turtles have been found along the Andaman sea coast. These are:-

Finding Nests on Khram Island, Near Pattaya, Thailand

Conservationists find the nests by looking for soft sand, then using a sharp metal tool they dig carefully to find the nests which they then encircle with nets. These nests are each tagged with an ID which gives the expected birth date (between 45 and 60 days from nesting) so that they know approximately how many hatchlings will start their unsteady walk to the sea.

After the Baby Turtles are Born

After birth, the baby turtles are moved to tanks where they are scrubbed to prevent infections and fed on a special diet of minced fish. Conservationists continue to protect them and keep an eye on them to make sure no diseases are being harboured. When they are strong enough, usually in 5-6 months, they are released into the sea to start their new life. It is estimated that some 15,000 green and hawksbill baby turtles are released into the sea each year.

Killing or Collecting Sea Turtles and Their Eggs is Prohibited

The meat of the sea turtles and their eggs are regarded as great delicacies in many parts of the world, but especially in Asia. Killing them and/or collecting their eggs is prohibited by law and carries a fine of up to $1,200 and jail. Nevertheless, there are still people prepared to risk both the fine and a jail sentence, to make the large sums of money available on the black market for these delicacies.

Thailand is to be praised for its efforts to protect these creatures and the future of their hatchlings, but visitors can also play their part by making sure they do not take any trips to the island to see the turtles coming ashore. Sometimes these trips are advertised as helping protect the turtles, but the island should remain their preserve and theirs only. Visitors carrying torches to see the “midnight run” as I have seen it advertised, are damaging the environment, the wild fauna of the Gulf, and our heritage.

The copyright of the article Sea Turtles in Gulf of Thailand in Thailand Travel is owned by Mari Nicholson. Permission to republish Sea Turtles in Gulf of Thailand in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.