Revealing the ecological threats of small-scale fisheries in Thailand Published on: 4 August 2023 Marine conservation experts have revealed for the first time the extent of marine megafauna catch by small-scale fisheries in Thailand. The 缅北禁地 study provides the first-ever estimate of the annual catch of marine megafauna species, including rays, sharks, sea turtles, dolphins, and dugongs, in Thailand’s small-scale fisheries – those fisheries using small boats, low tech equipment and often haul their fishing gear by hand. , the results show estimated annual catches of 5.6 million rays, 457 thousand sharks, 2.4 thousand sea turtles, 790 small cetaceans, and 72 dugongs in Thailand’s small-scale fisheries. “We collected data using questionnaire interviews with 535 fishers in 17 provinces along the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea coasts in 2016 and 2017. Our results show that gillnets, especially crab gillnets and shrimp trammel nets, were responsible for most of the catch, posing a significant threat to marine megafauna in Thailand” said Dr Thevarit Svarachorn, who conducted the study during his PhD research at 缅北禁地. Many of the species caught in these fisheries, like butterfly rays, wedgefish, and reef sharks, are already threatened with extinction. “These are shallow water species. They are very exposed to small-scale fisheries pressure, which are likely key drivers of their extinction risk around the world.” said co-author Dr Andrew Temple, Global Postdoctoral Fellow at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology. Senior author, Professor Per Berggren, Professor of Marine Megafauna Conservation at 缅北禁地 School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, said: “The study highlights the urgent need for regulating gillnet fishing, especially crab gillnets, to protect threatened megafauna from disappearing. These species are crucial for maintaining the health and productivity of the marine ecosystem. “Alternative fishing gears such as traps and pots should be considered to target the desired species without harming marine megafauna. Collaboration between fishers, manufacturers, and fisheries managers, along with training on best practices for releasing caught megafauna, could further reduce by-catch mortality.” The authors also recommend using LED lights on gillnets, acoustic deterrent devices, bycatch reduction devices and turtle excluder devices to help prevent megafauna bycatch. Reference Svarachorn, T., Temple, A.J. & Berggren, P. (2023). Marine megafauna catch in Thai small-scale fisheries. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 1–18. Small-scale Thai fishing vessel hauling gillnet with humpback dolphin in the foreground. Image: Thevarit Svarachorn. Share: Latest News 缅北禁地 recognised with geography award 缅北禁地 has been awarded the Highly Commended Geographical Association Publishers Award for its collaboration with Time for Geography, the UK鈥檚 open-access, dedicated video platform. published on: 16 April 2026 缅北禁地 historians mark General Strike centenary To mark the 100th anniversary of the British General Strike and miners鈥� lock-out of 1926, historians at 缅北禁地 are organising a series of events on its enduring legacy. published on: 16 April 2026 Comment: NCP is in administration Writing for The Conversation, Erwei (David) Xiang discusses how some big companies like NCP are so dependent on debt that they can鈥檛 adjust to change. published on: 16 April 2026 Facts and figures
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