Background
 Marine turtle conservation in Myanmar actually began before 1963. Today, marine turtle conservation activities are conducted in collaboration with and assisted by the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC). The Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation and Management of Marine Turtles and their Habitats of the Indian Ocean and South-East Asia was signed by Myanmar’s Department of Fisheries (DoF) in 2001. Since that year, turtle conservation activities have been enhanced as collaboration with international agencies and organizations has been extended.
To date, the Department of Fisheries (DoF) has identified at least 35 nesting sites in areas of the coastal region. Among them, six are closely conserved by undertaking monitoring and surveillance of turtle nests, clutches and number of hatchlings returning to the sea.
Thameehla (Diamond) Island, Ngaputaw Township, in Ayeyarwady Division, is one of the major nesting areas for Green turtles in Myanmar. It is situated between the Bay of Bengal and Gulf of Mottama (Gulf of Mattaban), at position 15°51.30’N and 94°17.30’E. The island is frequented by nesting marine turtles the whole year round. There are enriched and diverse fauna and foraging grounds for turtles in the vicinity of the island’s prime nesting sites.
Thameehla Island is one of the country’s protected areas and is the main focal point for the further extension of turtle conservation activities. The Department of Fisheries has taken responsibility and set up a Marine Turtle Conservation and Management Station on the island since 1986. The activities conducted there presently include: regular monitoring of nesting, clutches and hatchlings; onsite training; public awareness; extended research on population genetics (with the assistance of SEAFDEC); and tagging of turtles to try to identify migratory routes and feeding grounds.
Generally, Green turtles commonly nest and lay eggs on Thameehla Island. A gradual decline of the nesting turtle population and number of clutches are found to be significant in the conserved areas. For instance, out of four turtle nesting beaches originally existing on Thameehla Island, only two beaches remain suitable for turtle nesting and laying eggs. This is most probably due to the changes in environment such as soil erosion, mangrove deterioration, changes of water current, increase in heavy rains and floods, as well as the influence of increasing fishing pressures and less awareness of the people.
 Although the island’s beaches are comparably popular for the nesting of Olive ridley turtles, it can be assumed that less nesting of this species has occurred in recent years because of the deterioration of the mangroves. Olive ridley turtles generally prefer the enriched and fine sand found in the mangrove area. Thus the loss of mangrove is one of reasons for the decline of turtle nesting in the area, a phenomenon that could also happen in all remaining nesting areas in Myanmar.
Cyclone Nargis
On 2nd and 3rd May 2008, Thameehla Island was hit strongly by Cyclone Nargis. According to Nay Win Oo, in charge of Thameehla Marine Turtle Conservation and Management Station, the cyclone began at 12:20 a.m. on 2 May and lost its strength at 06:30 a.m. on 3 May, some 30 hours later. Tidal waves as high as four meters rose continuously during the cyclone and wind speed was extremely high. Heavy rain fell and rain drops tasted salty.
The hatchery constructed on the beach and 21 marine turtle nests were totally destroyed because of the high tide. The station’s office and staff houses were also damaged because of strong winds. Almost all of the large trees were uprooted and many trees were stripped of their branches.
The Department of Fisheries and Forest Department staff, Navy personnel and some fishermen, together with their families, took to the hills and sought refuge in the freshwater lake. Fortunately, there were no casualties or injuries.
After the cyclone, marine turtles came to nest regularly but they did not lay eggs because of fallen trees, logs and other debris littering the nesting beaches. Decomposing dead dogs, buffaloes, cows and pigs from neighboring villages landed on the beaches.
It is essential to undertake cleaning of the beaches to restore the environment to its former condition so that marine turtles can find their usual nesting sites. The Department of Fisheries is planning to launch a cleaning and rehabilitation program. A more comprehensive survey and collection of information is also needed to better understand the impact of the cyclone.
The author seeks support from the IOSEA constituency to conduct a mission to comprehensively survey the turtle population and to assess the cyclone’s impact on marine turtle conservation around Thameehla Island. In addition, there is an immediate need to reconstruct the damaged facilities and to procure necessary equipment to extend conservation-related research.
For further information and to offer assistance for the necessary reconstruction and survey work, please contact:
Mr. Maung Maung Lwin,
Senior Fisheries Officer
Department of Fisheries, Myanmar
E-mail: fisheries@myanmar.com.mm, akthar10160@googlemail.com
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