Rare turtles washing ashore dead at marine national park in Rathedaung Twsp

12 Oct 2023

DMG Newsroom
12 October 2023, Rathedaung

Rare, dead turtles have increasingly been washing ashore at the marine national park in Arakan State’s Rathedaung lately, according to those engaged in conservation of the park.

Turtles have been found ashore dead every month since January, said the Rakhine Biodiversity and Nature Conservation Association chairman U Yan Naung Soe.

“We notice that one or two turtles wash ashore every month. All of them were dead. It is not a good sign,” said U Yan Naung Soe.

Environmentalists blame fishermen for the deaths of rare species of turtles, while the Arakan State Fisheries Department says plastic pollution is to blame.

“Turtles are fond of jellyfish. Plastic is afloat in the sea. Turtles die when they mistake plastic for jellyfish and eat it,” said Dr. Tun Thein, director of the Arakan State Fisheries Department.

Plastic is not only dumped into waters in Arakan State by locals, but plastic waste from neighbouring countries also flows into Arakan State’s waters, according to the department.

“It is a pity that rare turtles are dying because of plastic. There is a need to use plastic responsibly,” said Rathedaung town resident Ma Khin Kyi.

Environmentalists have called on authorities to educate the public about the dangers of plastic pollution.

“When plastic is dumped into the sea, it negatively affects water resources, as well as water quality. Plastic pollution affects aquatic animals laying eggs,” said environmentalist Ko Myo Lwin from Ann Township.

According to research by the Norwegian vessel Fridtjof Nansen in 2018, plastic pollution is notably elevated along the Arakan coast.