Thailand's Dugong Conservation Efforts: Successes and Concerns

Strategic Insights -

Thailand's coastline is home to an estimated 282 dugongs, a significant increase from 200 recorded in 2014. However, this growth is overshadowed by the alarming rate of deaths, which has sharply worsened since 2019. The mortality rate has nearly doubled, with 25 deaths recorded in 2021, 19 in 2022, and 40 in 2023, before exceeding 13 deaths by early 2025.

Key Takeaways:

  • The establishment of National Dugong Conservation Day on August 17 is a significant step towards raising awareness about protecting endangered marine species and restoring the marine environment sustainably.
  • The Dugong Protection Command Centre was set up under Minister Chalermchai Sri-on's policy to address the degradation of seagrass beds and threats facing Thailand's dugong population.
  • Protective installations have been set up around Libong Island, and supplementary seagrass plots are being developed to expand food sources for the species.
  • Despite an increase in the dugong population, the mortality rate has worsened, with over 145 deaths recorded in the past five years.
  • The main causes of dugong deaths are illness, marine debris ingestion, marine accidents, and entanglement in fishing gear.
  • Coastal degradation, land reclamation, erosion, industrial wastewater, port construction, and dredging are key threats to dugongs, along with boating collisions and ingestion of marine debris.

Statistics:

  • 2004: 240 dugongs recorded
  • 2014: 200 dugongs recorded
  • 2017: 221 dugongs
  • 2018: 250 dugongs
  • 2019: 261 dugongs
  • 2020: 255 dugongs
  • 2021: 261 dugongs (229 in the Andaman / 32 in the Gulf)
  • 2022: 273 dugongs (242 in the Andaman / 31 in the Gulf)
  • 2023: 282 dugongs (250 in the Andaman / 32 in the Gulf)
  • 2016: 221 dugongs (gradual increase to 282 in 2023)
  • 2005-2018: 13.2 dugong deaths per year (average)
  • 2019-2024: 25.75 deaths per year (average)
  • Past 5 years: 145 dugong deaths (average 29.2 per year)
  • 2023: 32 dugong deaths (89% of strandings), with 8 deaths due to illness, 5 due to marine debris ingestion, and 5 due to marine accidents
  • 2023: 3 successful releases (75% of survivors) and 11 unknown causes of stranding

Sources:

  • Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment
  • Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation
  • Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR)