A dire warning from Thailand's shores: the gentle 'sea cows' are in crisis.
The Andaman Coast, a haven for these majestic creatures, has seen a devastating decline in its dugong population. Once home to a thriving community of 273 dugongs, experts fear the numbers may have plummeted by over half.
I ventured to Phuket, following the trail of filmmakers Mailee Osten-Tan and Nick Axelrod, who have been shedding light on this crisis through a new Guardian documentary.
But here's where it gets controversial: the very presence of dugongs in Phuket is a cause for concern. It points to a larger, global issue - a biodiversity crisis beneath the waves.
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In Focus:
For over a decade, I've witnessed the extinction crisis facing our planet's biodiversity. From forests to the Arctic tundra, I've tracked the vanishing species and the threats they face. But the struggles of marine life often remain hidden until their lifeless bodies wash ashore.
This is where people like Theerasak Saksritawee, known as Pop, become crucial. Pop, a local photographer, uses captivating drone images to document the plight of dugongs and raise awareness among his 26,000 Instagram followers. He aims to build a social movement for their protection.
"Many focus on sea turtles and dolphins when it comes to conservation," Pop says. "Some can't even identify a dugong's eyes!"
As I met Pop, I encountered an unexpected guardian - a territorial Chinese goose that had grown protective of him. This goose reminded me of Miracle, the lone dugong left in Tang Khen Bay. Once a thriving community of 13, Miracle's aggressive behavior towards the others left him solitary.
The presence of dugongs in Phuket worries environmental scientists. Normally, they reside in the waters of Trang province, known for its abundant seagrass meadows. However, much of this seagrass has died recently, forcing dugongs to travel further for food.
I've reported extensively on the fourth global mass coral bleaching event, which has devastated reefs worldwide. It made me wonder if elevated sea temperatures could have triggered Thailand's seagrass die-off. But the Andaman Sea experienced cooler temperatures in 2023, and by mid-2024, when temperatures rose, the dugong strandings and deaths were already rampant.
Scientists believe a combination of environmental factors is to blame: reduced sunlight due to silt, pollution, dredging, excess nutrients, extreme temperatures, and increased tidal exposure.
One glimmer of hope lies in the UN's high seas treaty, which aims to protect and sustainably manage marine life in international waters, covering two-thirds of our oceans. This treaty is a step towards the global goal of protecting 30% of the world's oceans by 2030.
As I left Tang Khen Bay, I ventured to Phuket's old town during the high season. Amidst the tourist crowds, I searched for dugong-themed souvenirs, hoping their cultural popularity could aid in their protection. I found just one pin featuring a cartoon dugong with visible eyes - a small victory.
Read More:
- UK urged to ratify the high seas treaty to participate in the Ocean Cop summit.
- The mystery of Thailand's missing dugongs: 'Looking for Miracle.'
- Vanuatu's dugongs: just how vulnerable are they?
