Association of ocean macroplastic debris with stranded sea turtles in the Central Gulf of Thailand

Jindarha Prampramote; Worakan Boonhoh; Sutsiree Intongead; Watchara Sakornwimol; Pimchanok Prachamkhai; Chalutwan Sansamur; Orachun Hayakijkosol; Tuempong Wongtawan

doi:10.3354/esr01182

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Endangered Species Research

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ESR 47:333-343 (2022) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/esr01182

Association of ocean macroplastic debris with stranded sea turtles in the Central Gulf of Thailand

Jindarha Prampramote^1,2, Worakan Boonhoh^1,2, Sutsiree Intongead¹, Watchara Sakornwimol³, Pimchanok Prachamkhai³, Chalutwan Sansamur^2,3, Orachun Hayakijkosol⁴, Tuempong Wongtawan^1,2,5,*

¹Marine Animal Research and Rescue Centre, Akkhraratchakumari Veterinary College, Walailak University, Thai Buri, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
²Centre for One Health, Akkhraratchakumari Veterinary College, Walailak University, Thai Buri, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
³Marine and Coastal Resources Research Centre, the Central Gulf of Thailand, Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, Muang, Chumporn 86000, Thailand
⁴Division of Tropical Health and Medicine, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, 1 Solander Dr., Douglas, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia
⁵Centre of Excellence for Coastal Resource Management with Communal Participation, Walailak University, Thai Buri, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand

*Corresponding author: tuempong.wo@mail.wu.ac.th

ABSTRACT: The impact of macroplastic debris (>5 mm) on marine life is a global concern but has rarely been investigated in Thailand. This study investigated the relationship between stranded sea turtles and macroplastics in the Central Gulf of Thailand. Records of stranded turtles (n = 388) from 2017-2020 were analysed retrospectively to determine their interaction with macroplastics. In addition, macroplastics collected from the gastrointestinal (GI) tracts of 30 dead stranded turtles and 13 beaches (along a 100 m transect mid-way between high and low tide) between 2019 and 2020 were investigated. Types and composition of macroplastics were identified with the use of a stereomicroscope and Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer. Green turtles Chelonia mydas comprised the majority of stranded turtles (74%, n = 251), and macroplastics (entanglement or ingestion) were the leading cause of death (n = 152). Most stranded turtles were juveniles (65%), and their stranding was significantly correlated with macroplastics (p < 0.001). Juveniles were more prone than adults to become entangled (p = 0.007), while adults had a higher ingestion rate than juveniles (p = 0.009). Plastic fibres were commonly found in the GI tracts (62%, n = 152 of 244) and beaches (64%, n = 74 of 115). Most fibres from the GI tracts (83%, n = 126 of 152) and beaches (93%, n = 68 of 74) were fishing nets made of polyethylene or polypropylene. We conclude that fishing nets are a significant cause of sea turtle stranding in the Central Gulf of Thailand, and this issue requires immediate resolution.

KEY WORDS: Macroplastics · Stranding · Sea turtles · Thailand

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Cite this article as: Prampramote J, Boonhoh W, Intongead S, Sakornwimol W and others (2022) Association of ocean macroplastic debris with stranded sea turtles in the Central Gulf of Thailand. Endang Species Res 47:333-343. https://doi.org/10.3354/esr01182

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ESR 47:333-343 (2022) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/esr01182

Association of ocean macroplastic debris with stranded sea turtles in the Central Gulf of Thailand

Jindarha Prampramote1,2, Worakan Boonhoh1,2, Sutsiree Intongead1, Watchara Sakornwimol3, Pimchanok Prachamkhai3, Chalutwan Sansamur2,3, Orachun Hayakijkosol4, Tuempong Wongtawan1,2,5,*

Jindarha Prampramote^1,2, Worakan Boonhoh^1,2, Sutsiree Intongead¹, Watchara Sakornwimol³, Pimchanok Prachamkhai³, Chalutwan Sansamur^2,3, Orachun Hayakijkosol⁴, Tuempong Wongtawan^1,2,5,*