Andaman Sea numbers have fallen alarmingly, especially in Phang Nga
Turtle populations in the Andaman Sea are at dire levels, with some species hovering on the brink of extinction because of natural and human causes such as tsunami walls.
Wildlife experts estimate that there are less than five leatherback turtles left in an area that once teemed with them, while hawksbill and olive ridley turtles each number less than 100.
One of the most important spawning sites for the four main species of Andaman Sea turtles that are critically endangered is the island of Phang Nga. As one of the worst-hit areas in the tsunami disaster, local authorities have now built a 2.5-kilometre-long and one-metre-high concrete wall to try to minimise the effects of any future sea disasters.
Instead, this wall is creating a disaster for the turtles.
"The area is the last site along the Andaman coast where all four of the Andaman turtle species can be found spawning. The concrete wall is causing them great problems in trying to lay their eggs on the beach," said Songpol Tippayawong, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Thailand's head of marine and coastal resource unit.
Sawakhon Sangkhorn, 52, from Tai Muang village which is nearest to the spawning site, said the wall had been constructed by the local tambon administrative organisation (TAO) without consultation with local villagers or park officials.
"At first the wall was not as long or as high. After the tsunami, the TAO received Bt4 million to restore it, but then they later sought Bt30 million to extend the length and height even though local villagers were opposed to it," she said.
"We have been seeing various kinds of turtle in this area for generations. Some were as big as a car roof and we could climb up on their backs to have our photographs taken. We even have a local tradition called dern tao [a walk to observe turtle spawning in the early morning]," another local villager said.
"The TAO tried to claim that turtles no longer spawn in that area anymore, but we saw one nest just two months ago with hundreds of eggs," Sawakhon said.
Wattana Phornprasert, chief of Khao Lampee-Had Tai Muang National Park, supported Sawakhon. He said the park had filed a lawsuit against the wall's construction on the grounds that the contractor had encroached on a park. Part of the wall, which is still being added to, is in a park area.
"The case is still being processed. Parts of the construction in the park were stopped temporarily. We don't know what is going to happen next," Wattana said.
Songpol said the wall should be demolished immediately in order to improve the survival rate of the endangered turtles.
"The situation with the Andaman sea turtles is getting worse and worse and needs an urgent action plan," he said.
But it is not only the Tai Muang wall that is threatening the Andaman Sea turtles. The wildlife experts say that spawning sites are growing fewer, fishing boats use equipment that trap and kill turtles, and many of the ancient creatures are hunted relentlessly for their eggs, meat, skin and shells.
As tourism grows, so the turtle populations decrease, Songpol said.
And of course in nature, the survival rate of baby sea turtles is only 1 per cent, he said.
"Turtles are among the species that seem to attract the least interest from state authorities in all aspects," he said.
In an attempt to reverse the crisis before it is too late, Songpol said WWF Thailand and the Department of Marine and Coastal Resource would draw up an action plan and guidelines to conserve the species. It will be ready in two months, he said.
At the international level, authorities throughout the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asian regions have declared 2006 as the Year of the Turtle.
Kamol Sukin
The Nation
http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/04/...s_30001789.php