Status of sea turtle conservation and research in Thailand

Abstract

Conservation attempts are being made for the four remaining species of sea turtles in Thai waters, which are the green turtle (Chelonia mydas), the hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), the olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea ) and the leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea). In the past, sea turtles and their eggs were harvested for commercial purposes. Awareness of declining sea turtle populations in Thailand has raised serious attempts to conserve sea turtles. Sea turtle conservation projects have been conducted at Phuket Marine Biological Center in the Andaman Sea since 1971 as part of the pilot project for the Queen's Project on sea turtle conservation at Man-Nai Island in the Gulf of Thailand. Recently, many Government Organizations such as the National Parks, the Thai Navy and NGO group are concerned with sea turtle conservation. The conservation activities are carried out in several nesting locations. In addition the Thai government has established laws and regulations to protect sea turtles and promoted education and campaign programs which are distributed to the public.