Sea turtle conservation management plan Phra Thong island, Thailand

Abstract

At Phra Thong (PT) island and its surroundings surveys have been carried out applying different methodologies by the Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC) since 1985. In 1996 the Sea Turtle Project (STP) was started on the island aiming to collect scientific data on the nesting population, to carry out an education program in the local schools and to conduct conservation awareness activities among tourists visiting the island. Due to its high concentration value as an important sea turtle nesting and foraging area, a comprehensive conservation management plan is herein presented to address the conservation needs of PT island. Baseline data collected concerning sea turtles is used to design the Sea Turtle Conservation Management Plan (STCMP). The document represents the first step toward a correct management of these reptiles which should be integrated in a wider conservation approach such as an Integrated Coastal Zone Management.