Fishing nets, introduced species threaten Irrawaddy dolphins’ survival,
The last pod of 14 Irrawaddy dolphins in Songkhla Lake in southern Thailand could become extinct within eight years if a preservation plan is not implemented immediately, says the particular Department of Marine and Coastal Sources.
Pornsri Suthanaruk, the department’s deputy chief, informed the Bangkok Post the number of dolphins has been declining in the last 30 years due to the widespread use of large angling nets, causing regarding 60% of the dolphin fatalities.
The department quotes the fatality price of the Irrawaddy dolphin is three per year. However , the birth rate is unfamiliar.
The latest study carried out through aerial pictures and an traditional method found you will find just 14 from the animals left in the region, she said.
Conservation plan
Alarmed by the low amount, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-archa has ordered the department to draft a security and conservation plan.
This could also cover the issue of artificial breeding to improve the dolphin people and improve their genes to be more long lasting.
The particular Irrawaddy dolphins in Songkhla Lake would be the only ones in the nation living in a fresh water habitat.
With its rounded mind and short snub nose, the Irrawaddy dolphin is posted by the International Union for Conservation associated with Nature (IUCN) as an endangered species, yet those living in fresh water areas including the Mekong River, Ayeyarwady or even Irrawaddy River in Myanmar, and Chilka Lake in India are considered critically endangered.
Irrawaddy dolphins can reside in both freshwater plus coastal areas, particularly in brackish water, mangrove areas or river deltas.
The last pod of freshwater dolphins are believed to have swum from the Gulf of Thailand to Songkhla Lake in search of food. But for years the particular lake has experienced geographical changes which have effectively trapped the particular dolphins meaning they can not return to the sea, Microsoft Pornsri said.
Songkhla River is the largest freshwater lagoon in the country. This covers an area of just one, 000 square kilometres spanning 15 districts in Phatthalung, Nakhon Si Thammarat plus Songkhla.
“We calculate the dolphins in the river will vanish inside eight years whenever we do not have a plan to shield them.
“The major risk is fishing tools. We need to eliminate this threat to help the particular dolphins survive, inch she said.
The division will study associated with announcing a designated area, about one hundred sq km, as a protected dolphin habitat. The area may be situated on the northern part of the lake, between Songkhla and Phatthalung.
The area is known amongst locals as Thale Luang, covering regarding 458 sq mirielle and connected to the Thale Noi Non-Hunting Area in Phatthalung.
The department also needs cooperation from local fishermen to create awareness plus promote knowledge of Irrawaddy dolphin conservation, the girl said, adding that the patrol system will be set up to prevent unlawful fishing gear that may harm them.
Challenging task
Thon Thamrongnawasawat, deputy leader of the Faculty associated with Fisheries at Kasetsart University, who is furthermore the department’s group leader for its Irrawaddy dolphin recovery task, said the mission to increase the species’ population in the lake is a challenge.
The conservation policy will only get the assistance of locals when they see clear advantages from it, he mentioned.
“It is not easy to encourage fishermen to change their particular fishing tools to assist save Irrawaddy dolphins. We can reason with these that saving the dolphins can lead to more tourism activity which would eventually benefit residents living around the lake. But if the conservation plan is not successful, relocating the dolphins can be another option, ” Mister Thon said.
He stated the reduction of the numbers is also the consequence of poor marine life administration, with local authorities liberating alien fish varieties into the lake, especially giant catfish, to improve local incomes.
Fishermen setup larger and stronger nets in the river to catch the giant catfish, which also trap the dolphins. Mr Thon estimated there are around 30, 000 pieces of fishing equipment set up in the river to catch seafood.
Local people love dolphins
Meanwhile, Chalermchai Suwanarak, chief of the Department of Fisheries, said the division has been involved with Songkhla’s development plan given that 2003.
This focuses on increasing freshwater animal populations and controlling unlawful fishing tools within the lake. It also has measures in place to guard and preserve Irrawaddy dolphins.
He said the department has worked carefully with locals and it has been urging them to stop using giant fishing nets.
He said the department has profited from strong assistance with local communities.
He also insisted it has no policy to produce any more alien seafood species into the lake.
“As a Songkhla native, I could say the local people have strong connections with the dolphins. They will not want to do anything to damage them, ” he said.
“Their declining population is a result of inbreeding since there is only one pod within the lake. We need to conduct a study to deal with the issue to ensure their long-term survival. ”
He stated the department is ready to cooperate with the Ministry of Natural Sources and Environment to remove all fishing tools in the protected region if the Department of Marine Coastal Sources names it the protected zone for your dolphins.