BANGKOK — 17 August 2026, Thailand’s Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) has stepped up measures to protect dugongs after recording 209 strandings over the past decade, warning that the country’s population could fall below 100 by 2030 if current losses continue.
DMCR Director-General Pinsak Suraswadi said the department is expanding its “SAVE OUR DUGONG” programme under Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin’s policy to protect rare and endangered marine species and reduce the impact of human activity on marine ecosystems.
The department has identified 12 high-risk areas across five Andaman coast provinces where dugongs face threats from boat strikes and fishing gear. Two urgent measures will be introduced, covering vessel routes and speeds as well as changes to fishing equipment.
Six areas have been identified as being at particular risk from boat collisions:
- Rassada Pier, Phuket
- Bang Rong Pier, Phuket
- Koh Yao Noi–Koh Yao Yai channel, Phang Nga
- Nopparat Thara Beach Pier–Ao Nam Mao Pier route, Krabi
- Pak Meng Pier–Koh Muk, Trang
- Koh Libong Pier–Hat Yao, Trang
Buoys and other markers will be installed to define navigation routes, while speed limits will vary according to distance from shore. Boats travelling within one kilometre of the coast will be limited to 5 knots, within two kilometres to 10 knots and within three kilometres to 20 knots.
Speeds will also be limited to 5 knots over seagrass beds and 3 knots over seagrass areas inside national parks.
Another six areas have been identified as being at risk from fishing gear:
- Koh Chang–Koh Phayam, Ranong
- Koh Ra–Koh Phra Thong, Phang Nga
- Pa Khlok–Tang Khen, Phuket
- Noppharat Thara, Krabi
- Koh Sriboya, Krabi
- Koh Muk–Koh Libong, Trang
The department plans to modify fishing practices to reduce the risk of dugongs becoming entangled or injured.
Single crab traps, using one trap per buoy, will not be allowed in seagrass areas. Buoy lines are to be changed to 5mm braided rope to reduce the risk of severe entanglement injuries, while “weak links” will be added at connection points to give dugongs a better chance of breaking free.
Excess rope will also be shortened, particularly near the surface and along routes commonly used by dugongs.
For strings of 15 to 20 crab traps attached to a single buoy, weights such as rocks or lead will be used to keep ropes straight.
Bottom-set crab nets will be prohibited in seagrass areas. Where they are permitted, fishermen will be required to closely monitor the nets after deployment to reduce the risk of dugong entanglement.
Large-mesh drifting gillnets, including those used for barramundi, will also be banned from seagrass areas and must be placed at least one kilometre away from the edge of seagrass beds.
“Our goal is to reduce dugong deaths caused by human activities to zero,”
Pinsak said.
He said the measures were not intended to restrict fishing livelihoods or marine transport, but to better organise the use of marine areas so that economic activity could continue alongside dugong conservation.
The department will also work with boat operators, fishermen and other stakeholders to explain the measures and support changes to fishing gear. Both measures are expected to be implemented within six months.
DMCR figures show that 209 dugongs were found stranded during the 10 fiscal years from 2017 to 2026.
The cause could not be determined in 78 cases. Of the remaining 131, natural causes accounted for 97 deaths, while 34 were linked to human activity.
Seventeen were attributed to marine accidents, 16 to fishing gear and one to marine debris.
In fiscal 2026, 15 dugongs have been found stranded. Five cases were linked to human activity, including two marine accidents, two involving fishing gear and one involving marine debris.
The department warned that if the population continues to decline without effective action to reduce threats, Thailand’s dugong population could fall below 100 by 2030 and below 50 by 2035, significantly increasing the long-term risk of extinction in the country.
Officials said the SAVE OUR DUGONG measures are intended to reduce those threats and make high-risk habitats safer.
Members of the public who find a dugong entangled in fishing gear, injured or in danger are urged to immediately contact authorities through the 1362 hotline.
