Villagers concerned over dead sea turtles

In the Gulf of Thailand there are a few different species of sea turtle, the beautiful green specimens emerge from the blue water to lay their eggs on the beaches and mangroves around Bangpakong. In an age where communities around the South of Thailand are up in arms about protecting their environments and natural heritage, the recent sightings of dead sea turtles in the mangroves has villagers very concerned.

The turtles found measured about 120 cm in length and the carapace was 65 cm. The turtle weighed in at 50 kg. This variety of green sea turtle lives in the deep waters in the Gulf and is comfortable at around 30 to 40 metres deep. They surface every winter to lay their eggs and finding multiple carcasses in Chachoengsao Province has locals petitioning authorities to act.

The fact that many locals feel that the buck is being passed from department to department is causing much stress for the people who are intent to keep their natural ecosystem in check. The turtles are thought to have swallowed pieces of plastic or become entangled in fisherman’s nets.

Vigilance must be kept up to protect the turtles, who without human intervention should have a natural life span of 100 years.