Phangnga:Two beaches in Phangnga and Phuket have been declared protected turtle incubation sites following the return of turtles to nest there for the first time in more than six years.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Gen Surasak Kanjanarat, along with provincial officials and business leaders, signed a "Thai Marine Turtle Conservation Declaration [Phangnga-Phuket]" Wednesday, pledging to protect nesting turtles and their eggs.
The signing took place on Khuk Kak Beach in Phangnga's Takua Pa district.
Gen Surasak told those present that the recent return of leatherback turtles, or Tao Mafueng, to Khuk Kak Beach and Hat Mai Khao Beach in Phuket was the result of cooperation and ratcheted-up law enforcement to make both beaches safe for sea turtles to hatch their eggs.
Sea turtles used to lay their eggs on these two beaches from December to February every two years.
However, the turtles had failed to return to the beaches for more than six years until last December.
Pollution and increased tourism were blamed for keeping the sea turtles away.
On Dec 17, a large leatherback turtle measuring 1.25 metres in length reportedly laid 118 eggs in two nests on Khuk Kak Beach.
The event caused quite a stir, prompting surveillance cameras to be set up on the beach to broadcast the egg-hatching live.
On Feb 11, 49 baby turtles were hatched, while the eggs in the second nest are expected to hatch within the next 10 days.
Gen Surasak said effective law enforcement measures, such as a smoking ban to prevent butts being discarded on beaches, has left the shores much cleaner.
Local residents have also helped by reducing noise and lighting along the beaches, as well as other activities that could disturb the turtles.
Gen Surasak said he would increase efforts to reduce sea garbage around Thailand and the region.
At an Asean environmental ministerial meeting to be held in Thailand in May, the country will propose making the reduction of sea garbage a priority.
Rubbish in the sea has been blamed for an increasing number of marine creature deaths. Many turtles and whales have died after swallowing or becoming entangled in ocean garbage.
Kongkiat Kittiwattanawong, director of the Research and Development Centre for Marine and Coastal Resources, said sea turtles are close to extinction and conservation efforts are needed to save them.
The number of nesting sites globally has almost halved in the lpst decade, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) said.
Leatherback turtles are on the IUCN's red list as they are at serious risk of extinction.