#Urogymnus polylepis

[cilginfizikcilervbi]

Şimdiye Kadar Yakanmış En Büyük Tatlı Su Balığı

Şimdiye Kadar Yakanmış En Büyük Tatlı Su Balığı

Şimdiye Kadar Yakanmış En Büyük Tatlı Su Balığı Kamboçya’da balıkçıları, şimdiye kadar yakalanmış en büyük tatlı su balığını yakaladılar. Yaklaşık 4 metre uzunluğunda ve 300 kilogramlık ağırlıktaki dev tatlı su vatozunun (Urogymnus polylepis) doğal yaşam ortamında davranışı pek bilinmiyor. Takip cihazı takılıp doğal yaşam alanına serbest bıraklılan vatoz, cihaz sayesinde bu tür hakkında bir çok…

[uncharismatic-fauna]

Uncharismatic Fact of the Day

Surprisingly enough, mammals aren't the only animals that provide their young with milk! The giant freshwater stingray is one of several species of cartelaginous, live-bearing fish that sustain their young to term through a form of maternal care called histotrophy, in which the mother provides her embryo(s) with nutritional, milk-like secretions known as trophonemata while they're in the uterus.

(Image: A giant freshwater stingray (Urogymnus polylepis) caught and released by Cambodian fishermen, by Chhut Chheana)

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[asterwild]

headline round-up! here's some recent positive and/or peculiar news that crossed my feed:

Hawaiian monk seal population surpasses 1,500! (via NOAA Fisheries, May 2022) Thanks to diligent conservation work, this endangered species is at its highest population size in over 20 years.

Stingray sets new record for largest freshwater fish (via NYT and Guiness Word Records, June 2022) This 300kg giant freshwater stingray (Urogymnus polylepis) was caught in northern Cambodia.

150 southern fin whales observed feeding together (via Science Daily and Twitter, July 2022) Fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus quoyi) were hunted to near extinction before the commercial whaling ban in 1976. These feeding groups are the largest documented with modern methods.

Meet the K Pod's newest member! (via Center for Whale Research and Puget Sound Institute, July 2022) Designated K45, this is the first documented calf born in the K Pod of Southern Resident orcas since 2011.

A Greenland shark caught near Belize (via NPR, July 2022) Researchers tagging tiger sharks had quite the surprise when they found a Greenland shark, one of the longest-lived animals on Earth, typically found in the Arctic.

Albatrosses from space! (via British Antarctic Survey, September 2022) You can assist albatross conservation efforts by joining this citizen science project. "Albatross detectives" help search through thousands of satellite images to count birds as they nest on remote islands.

[typhlonectes]

Stingray Found in Cambodia Sets Record for World’s Largest Freshwater Fish

The enormous fish is 13 ft long and weighs 661 lbs

The world’s largest freshwater fish, a 13-foot-long, 661-pound stingray, has been discovered in the Mekong River in Cambodia. Scientists say the animal is a hopeful sign for the river, which faces threats from human encroachment and development, damming and climate change, per a statement from FISHBIO, a fisheries and environmental consulting company.

The giant freshwater stingray (Urogymnus polylepis) was caught on June 13 by a local fisherman, who alerted scientists from the Wonders of the Mekong project, a joint Cambodian-U.S. research and outreach initiative.

The Mekong River, which runs through China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, is home to several giant fish species. This particular section—south of Stung Treng in northeastern Cambodia—may be an important breeding ground for the stingrays; four females of the species, including this one, have been caught in the area recently, per the AP. Last month, a group of local fishermen caught a 400-pound female stingray in the same stretch, writes Mongabay’s Carolyn Cowan...

Read more:  https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/stingray-found-in-cambodia-sets-record-for-worlds-largest-freshwater-fish-180980288

[ubu507]

A Urogymnus polylepis, or giant stingray, was fished out of the Mekong River

Credit...Chhut Chheana

[davidwfloydart]

A giant freshwater stingray (Urogymnus polylepis) caught and released by Cambodian fishermen. #marinelife #cambodia #cambodian #fishermen #stingrays #giantfreshwaterstingray #amazingnature (at Catalina Foothills, Arizona) https://www.instagram.com/p/CjJq59dpHEKeW7ds-UzVer8jjkuoK9j6hk_XSU0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[kriznews]

For 17 years, Zeb Hogan, a biologist, has been shopping for the enviornment’s largest freshwater fish. On June 13, his personnel chanced on it — a huge freshwater stingray, or Urogymnus polylepis. The ray, hauled out of the dusky waters of the Mekong River in Cambodia, measured 13 toes in length sooner than it turned into returned to the river. And at 661 kilos, it turned into 15 kilos heavier than a Mekong huge catfish caught in Thailand in 2005. Hogan acknowledged he had beforehand established that freshwater fish because the generous ever caught. In an undated image equipped by Zeb Hogan, UNR Global Water Center, A suited catfish caught on the Tonl Sap River in Cambodia. In the Mekong River in Cambodia, fishers and researchers chanced on a 13-foot-prolonged, 661-pound stingray — a make a selection for conservation efforts in the gap. (Image credit: Zeb Hogan, UNR Global Water Center by map of The Unusual York Times)While this species of huge stingray has an extraordinarily unhealthy venomous barb that can reach nearly 1 foot in length, they aren't veritably a possibility to folk. Extra continuously, they lastly cease up in the market as a supply of low-price protein. Fishers in Cambodia first alerted Hogan and his personnel at Wonders of the Mekong Venture, which works to give protection to the Southeast Asian river’s aquatic range and is subsidized by the U.S. Company for Global Model, that they had caught a stingray better than anyone had ever considered. Crew contributors rushed to the little river island, called Koh Preah, and lined up three industrial scales. The utilization of a tarp, they hoisted the stingray out of the water and onto the scales to advise its weight. The invention comes not as a lot as a month after one other huge stingray — that one weighing 400 kilos — turned into caught and released shut by. Two diverse tall rays possess additionally been caught this 365 days. “The reality that the enviornment’s largest freshwater fish turned into caught in the Mekong is distinguished,” Hogan acknowledged. “This is a heavily populated space, and the river faces a ton of challenges, in conjunction with a total lot fishing.” In a single other first, Hogan’s personnel turned into in a location to suit the stingray with an acoustic label to trace the animal for as a lot as one 365 days with an array of 36 underwater receivers that were additionally not too prolonged ago place in in a stretch of the river. “This is the major fish that we’ve tagged since having the array deployed,” acknowledged Hogan, who is additionally a learn affiliate professor on the University of Nevada, Reno. In the months ahead, they concept to label a total lot of extra fishes. With so many huge stingrays caught in recent months and all of them female, Hogan believes this stretch of the river and the deep pools it incorporates are a important breeding ground for the species. The distance is additionally dwelling to freshwater dolphins, huge soft-shell turtles, huge catfish and big barb, which is in the carp family. “So it’s a extraordinarily queer location and in actuality understudied,” he acknowledged. North American and European river programs earn far extra scientific consideration. While breaking the enviornment file turned into not scientifically vital, Hogan acknowledged that the existence of this fish is a hallmark for the nicely being of its ecosystem. He additionally hoped the invention reminds the local of us how particular this river is and the map in which powerful it’s in need of saving. Attributable to a combination of components, in conjunction with dam building, overfishing and local climate switch, huge freshwater fish populations are veritably in decline. And heaps of species of huge fish are inclined to disappearing forever. “In 2020, one of many contenders for the enviornment’s largest freshwater fish, identified because the Chinese paddlefish, turned into declared extinct,” Hogan acknowledged. “That turned into very unhappy news, and it had me feeling bask in we were going to survey extra extinctions of those huge fish, slightly than files being broken.” Happily, the huge stingrays are not the generous huge fish tales of unhurried. In 2021, a file-setting 240-pound lake sturgeon turned into caught and released in the Detroit River. And in Can even, a nearly 300-pound alligator gar will possess broken the Texas impart file for the freshwater fish, though the angler chose to commence the animal slightly than raze it and produce it in to be weighed. “In the event you hear tales about file fish, that’s a lawful signal,” Hogan acknowledged. This text in the starting up regarded in The Unusual York Times.

[mondonews]

A Giant Stingray May Be the World’s Largest Freshwater Fish

A Giant Stingray May Be the World’s Largest Freshwater Fish

In the Mekong River in Cambodia, fishers and researchers found a 13-foot-long, 661-pound stingray — a win for conservation efforts in the area. For 17 years, Zeb Hogan, a biologist, has been searching for the world’s largest freshwater fish. On June 13, his team found it — a giant freshwater stingray, or Urogymnus polylepis. While this species of giant stingray has an extremely dangerous venomous…

[juniperpublishersoceanography]

A Review of Recent Status on Stingrays (Chondrichthyes: Dasyatidae) In Indonesian Waters- Juniper Publishers

Abstract

In this paper, the status of stingrays (family Dasyatidae) in Indonesian waters are summarized. There are 40 valid species of stingrays recorded here. Based on distribution of stingrays within seven faunal region of Indonesia, Kalimantan of Indonesian Borneo has 29 species, the largest diversity among other islands; following Sumatra (27 sepecies), Java (25 species), Sulawesi (14 species), Lesser Sundas (16), Mollucas (9 species) and Papua (17 species). According to the recent of Red List of Threatened Species of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's (IUCN 2017), there are 18 species are listed as threatened species (under Endangered and Vulnerable status), 2 as Near Threatened (NT), 3 as Data Deficient (DD), 5 s as Least Concern (LC) and 12 species are Not Evaluated (NE). Five species listed as Endangered should have high prioritize for conservation: Fluvitrygon oxyrhynchus (Sauvage, 1878); F. kittipongi(Vidthayanon & Roberts, 2005); F. signifer (Compagno & Roberts, 1982); P. solocirostris Last, Manjaji & Yearsley, 2005; and Urogymnus polylepis(Bleeker, 1852).

Keywords: Review; Dasyatidae; Indonesian waters; Diversity; Conservation

Introduction

The Indonesian archipelago is one of the richest marine biodiversity areas in the world [1]. The country has 4.720 species of fishes, making one the greatest diversity of fish fauna in the world [2]. Many iconic group of fishes known collectively as the 'ray' occur in Southeast Asia, particuarly in Indonesian waters [3-5]. One of 'ray' is stingrays (family Dasyatidae), groups of small to very large myliobatiform fishes (adults from 22cm to 260cm DW) and distinguished by the following combination of characters: body variably depressed with a well-formed oval, circular or rhombic disc that fully incorporates head; snout angular to obtuse and sometimes very elongate; nasal curtain well developed, skirt-shaped, rectangular or bilobed; five gill slits; oral papillae usually present on floor of mouth; tail moderately stout to slender-based and more or less elongated (sometimes very elongate and whip-like); dorsal surface variably covered with dermal denticles, thorns and/or tubercles, smooth to very spiny and often with a median thorn row and/or a median denticle band; no dorsal or caudal fins; 1-4 prominent caudal stings, positioned on tail well posterior to pelvic fins; skin folds variably developed on the ventral and sometimes dorsal midline of tail; dorsal surface plain to strongly patterned, usually darker than ventral surface [6-9]. Recent phylogenetic studies, supported by morphological data, have provided evidence that the Dasyatidae is monophyletic and consists of four major subgroups, the subfamilies Dasyatinae, Neotrygoninae, Urogymninae and Hypolophinae; and a morphologically based review of 89 currently recognised species [6]. In this review, we summary and update current knowledge of the stingrays in Indonesian waters.

Diversity of Stingrays in Indonesian waters

Table 1 shows 40 valid species of stingrays that occur in Indonesian waters. This checklist is compiled and shortlisted from recent major references [6-8]. The fishes were divided within seven faunal regions of Indonesia, where faunal regions match administrative boundaries and has no political significance [10]. Conservation status covering global threatened species follows recent International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Redlist 2017 [11].

Two species have been added recently for Sumatran waters [12,13], Fluvitrygon oxyrhynchus and Urogymnus polylepis (Figure 1 & 2). Based on distribution of stingrays within seven faunal region of Indonesia, Kalimantan of Indonesian Borneo has nine species of stingrays found in Mollucas, indicate the lowest 29 species, the largest diversity among other islands; following Sumatra (27 sepecies) and Java (25 species). There are only number compare to other islands in Indonesian waters.

Conservation of Stingrays in Indonesian waters

The status of most of the world's rays have been assesed using a standard international system to characterise the risk of extinction of species: the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species [14]. Following recent IUCN (2017), there are 18 species are listed as threatened species (under Endangered and Vulnerable status), 2 species listed as Near Threatened, 3 species listed as Data Deficient, 5 species listed as Least Concern and 12 species as Not Evaluated (Table 1). Five species having high prioritize for conservation because listed as Endangered: Fluvitrygon oxyrhynchus; F. kittipongi (Vidthayanon & Roberts, 2005); F. signifer (Compagno & Roberts, 1982); P solocirostris Last, Manjaji & Yearsley, 2005; and Urogymnus polylepis. Four of these species are inhabit freshwaters. To secure the status of stingrays locally and globally, in addition to the adressing the issue of data deficiency, accurate species identification is needed, the strict enforcement of fishing and protection of measures, a significant increase in scientific observer coverage to monitor catches, and increase research on gear modifications, fishing methods, and habitat identification aimed at itigating bycatch and discard mortality of rays [14].

Note:

I. IUCN global status, CR = Critically Endangered, EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable , NT = Near Threatened, DD = Data Deficient, LC = Least Concern, NE = Not Evaluated.

II. Distribution abbreviations, S = Sumatara, K = Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo), J = Java, S = Sulawesi, M = Mollucas, L = Lesser Sunda, P = Papua (West Papua, Indonesian Papua).

Conclusion

Recent status of stingrays (family Dasyatidae) in Indonesian waters are summarized here. This general review may give obvious diversity and conservation challenges. We supose that further research and monitoring are needed to clarify local status and distribution of stingrays in Indonesian waters, particularly in area where rarely explored.

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[wikiphuquoc]

Vinpearl Safari đăng cai tổ chức hội bảo tồn và phúc trạng động vật

Trong 4 ngày diễn ra hội nghị, từ 17/11 đến 20/11, các chuyên gia vườn thú đến từ Australia, Nhật Bản, Thái Lan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singrapore, Đài Loan (Trung Quốc) và Việt Nam… làm việc theo 5 chủ đề chính, gồm công tác chăm sóc và thuốc thú y trong vườn thú, công tác giáo dục và bảo tồn, thiết kế vườn thú và làm giàu chuồng trại, phúc trạng động vật và vấn đề đạo đức liên quan, công tác quảng cáo và truyền thông.

Hội nghị có nhiều nội dung đáng chú ý như tái thả vượn lông bạc, cứu hộ và phục hồi động vật hoang dã tại vườn thú Davao – Phillipines, huấn luyện hành vi của cá đuối nước ngọt khổng lồ (urogymnus polylepis) tại River Safari – Singapore, hoạt động “Sinh tố smoothie” cho sói bờm… Bên cạnh đó, các mô hình bảo tồn, phúc trạng động vật kiểu mẫu trên thế giới cũng được giới thiệu tại hội nghị, nhằm tối ưu những mô hình và phương pháp trong chăm sóc, bảo tồn và nâng cao phúc trạng động vật.

Đối với các vườn thú nói riêng và khu vực Đông Nam Á nói chung, bên cạnh những vấn đề giúp nâng cao phúc trạng động vật, duy trì tập tính hoang dã của loài, thì việc bảo tồn, nhân giống và tái lập đàn cho các giống loài động vật quý hiếm trên thế giới… luôn là mối quan tâm hàng đầu của các chuyên gia, nhà quản lý.

Riêng tại Việt Nam, Vinpearl Safari được cộng đồng quốc tế ghi nhận về công tác chăm sóc và nhân giống bảo tồn tê giác trắng tại Phú Quốc. Tháng 4, Vinpearl Safari Phú Quốc liên tiếp chào đón 2 cá thể tê giác trắng con chào đời, nhờ phương pháp ghép đàn và phối giống tự nhiên. Đây là sự kiện hiếm có đối với các vườn thú ở Đông Nam Á.

Trước đó, những trường hợp như cá thể hà mã sinh thành công tại Vinpearl Safari Nha Trang, bầy thiên nga đen quý hiếm có tỷ lệ sinh nở thấp được ấp nở hoàn toàn tự nhiên tại Vinpearl River Safari Nam Hội An… là những tín hiệu đáng mừng với công tác bảo tồn động vật tại Việt Nam. Với sự đầu tư quy mô, bài bản và tâm huyết, Vinpearl Safari hiện là hệ thống vườn thú hội tụ đầy đủ điều kiện tự nhiên, cơ sở vật chất và quản lý, môi trường sống… để các loài thú hoang dã, quý hiếm sinh sản, nhân tạo giống, đàn.

Với vai trò là một trong những vườn thú bán hoang dã có quy mô bậc nhất khu vực Đông Nam Á, Vinpearl Safari luôn tích cực và chủ động tiếp cận vấn đề nâng cao phúc trạng động vật, hợp tác với các đối tác có kinh nghiệm và thiện chí, như Tổ chức Phúc lợi động vật hoang dã – Wild Welfare, Hiệp hội Vườn thú Australia (ZAA)…

Vinpearl Safari cũng là một trong những vườn thú đầu tiên của Việt Nam phối hợp với Hiệp hội SEAZA thực hiện tập huấn, đánh giá để cấp chứng chỉ phúc trạng động vật quốc tế cùng với 4 vườn thú khác của Indonesia và Thái Lan trong năm nay. Chương trình hội nghị “Các vườn thú Đông Nam Á với công tác bảo tồn đa dạng sinh học và phúc trạng động vật” là sự kiện thường niên lần thứ 27 của SEAZA, và là lần thứ 4 được tổ chức tại Việt Nam.

Trong những năm qua, Vinpearl Safari bảo tồn, nhân giống và sinh sản thành công cho hàng loạt loài động vật hoang dã quý hiếm. Tính riêng tại Phú Quốc, trong 6 tháng đầu năm, có 239 cá thể mới ra đời, trong đó có nhiều loại động vật quý hiếm như hổ bengal, sư tử châu Phi, cầy mực, vượn cáo đuôi khoang, thiên nga đen, đà điểu, linh dương sừng thẳng Ả Rập, linh dương đen Ấn Độ… Vườn thú hiện có hơn 3.000 cá thể thuộc hơn 150 chủng loài, được sưu tầm, bảo tồn từ các động vật hoang dã quý hiếm địa phương, đồng thời quy tụ từ nhiều vùng địa sinh học đặc trưng trên thế giới như Nam Phi, châu Âu, Australia, Mỹ… như hổ bengal, bò tót, chuột túi, ngựa vằn, hươu cao cổ, hà mã, hồng hạc… Tại đây cũng có những động vật quý hiếm hàng đầu Việt Nam như tê giác, vượn cáo trắng đen, linh dương sừng kiếm Ả Rập…

source https://wikiphuquoc.com/vinpearl-safari-dang-cai-to-chuc-hoi-bao-ton-va-phuc-trang-dong-vat/

[mondaymorgue]

Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill, in Bangkok Post

Thailand: Enforcement needs sting to save the Rays 23rd October 2016;

After a preliminary examination showed that the spate of deaths of endangered Giant Stingrays (Urogymnus polylepis) was most likely linked to poisonous discharge from an ethanol factory, the relevant state agencies must now take action against the alleged polluter and work to prevent the problem from being repeated.

On Friday, the Pollution Control Department said the department presumed the death of the Stingrays was a result of high levels of ammonia from waste discharged from Rajburi Ethanol in late September.

The river led the discharged waste to Samut Songkhram which affected natural habitats in early October, causing hazardous effects. A number of Stingrays, along with other fish, were subsequently found dead in the Mae Klong River.

The incident shows environmental issues cannot be treated as isolated cases because they can affect all of us. Natural resources such as air and water are shared by everyone. Pollution in one location can be harmful to inhabitants on a much larger scale, as was the case here. The case cannot be dismissed or ignored simply because there have been no human casualties.

After the preliminary findings, the department said it plans to take legal action against the alleged polluter.

Let's just hope the incident isn't swept away from the spotlight any time soon. The case has to be pursued vigorously to set an example for other factories sprouting up as part of Thailand's quest for industrial growth.

The death of the Stingrays is only the tip of the iceberg. It exposes the bigger issue of insufficient control over waste discharge from factories. Public waterways should be preserved because they serve as the community's bloodline, an essential part of the agriculture-based society in Thailand.

The case also shows people's inability to balance economic development with environmental health. Industrial development does not necessarily come at the expense of nature but, as is the case here, it happens too often.

There is an old saying that goes: "In Thailand, there is rice in the field and fish in the river." Unfortunately, in this case instead of living fish, there are high amounts of ammonia waste in Thailand's rivers.

Regardless of what the industries may say, the incident shows they have not done enough to prevent it.

Even without this case, people have been unkind to nature far too long. Freshwater Stingrays have been rapidly declining in Thailand.

Stingrays can grow to two metres in length and can weigh as much as 600kg. The global population of Giant Freshwater Stingrays has declined between 60-80% in the past 30 years. Their habitats range from rivers in the Central region of Thailand, to the Mekong Delta and Borneo.

Thailand has lost 90% of its Freshwater Stingray population in those three decades. It would be shameful if we failed to preserve one of the world's largest cartilaginous fish.

There is now a 90% chance that the fish will become extinct in Thailand in the next 50 years if no serious protective measures are implemented.

The Central region's rivers have reportedly grown increasingly polluted, which would affect the Giant Freshwater Stingray. Animal health is an important indicator of the environment's well-being. However, past cases of mass fish deaths show that it's always difficult to pin down a culprit.

This time around, the Pollution Control Department and related agencies should show that they will forcefully address the matter.

There are hundreds of factories which could discharge toxic substances into public waterways or emit pollution into the atmosphere every day.

According to PCD's Thailand Pollution Report from 2015, 9.59 million cubic metres of community wastewater were produced each day at the national level. Only 26.9% went through wastewater treatment before being released into the environment.

Unfortunately, nearby communities currently do not have the power to examine these factories because there is no legal requirement for the factory to make data on pollutant levels available to the public.

Currently, factories are required to submit pollution-related information only to government agencies such as the Industrial Works Department.

Communities should be able to play a more active role in protecting their homes or in holding industry accountable for destructive environmental incidents. The community itself could also monitor activities to prevent waste dumping.

The government should provide supportive laws and requirements to strengthen communities while taking serious action against polluters to show that the destruction of the environment will not be tolerated.

Source: Bangkok Post

[mondaymorgue]

Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill, in Bangkok Post

Thailand: 70 Car-Size Stingrays Die Mysteriously The huge freshwater fish may have been killed by pollution in Thailand's Mae Klong River. By Brian Clark Howard, 10th November 2016;

More than 70 Giant Freshwater Stingrays (Urogymnus polylepis)—some of them nearly as large as cars—have been found dead in Thailand's Mae Klong River over the past few weeks, according to National Geographic explorer Zeb Hogan, who is currently in the country studying the fish.

The die-off is alarming because so few of the river giants remain. Giant Freshwater Rays are listed as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, and scientists say they need to learn more about their populations and biology.

Thai officials are currently studying the dead Rays with the goal of figuring out what killed them. They have reported that the river is slightly more acidic than typical around where the dead Rays were found, though it's unclear if that is related yet.

Some Thai environmentalists have suspected a recent spill from an ethanol plant could have poisoned the Rays. Others believe they may have been poisoned by cyanide, possibly intended to kill other more desirable fish.

Freshwater Rays are rarely targeted directly by fishermen because they are not considered good to eat. They are also so large and strong that they tend to break most fishing gear.

A Ray recently found alive in the Mae Klong River was 7.9 feet across and 14 feet long and weighed an estimated 700 to 800 pounds, says Hogan, a professor of biology at the University of Nevada, Reno, and the host of the series Monster Fish on Nat Geo Wild.

Even though they're not hunted, the Rays are occasionally entangled and killed as bycatch. They are also threatened by pollution, oil spills, and dams that have fragmented their habitat.

"One thing is clear: a reduction of pollution from surrounding factories is needed to improve the health of the river and save the Stingrays in the long term," Hogan says.

Freshwater megafish, along with freshwater marine mammals, are among the most threatened species in the world, Hogan notes, thanks to pollution, overfishing, and heavy human activity along rivers, from shipping to dams.

"I am hoping that international coverage will encourage more measures to protect this incredible fish," Hogan adds.

Source: National Geographic

[mondaymorgue]

A resident secures one of the 15 dead Giant Stingrays found floating in front of Wat Khu Thamsathit in Khlong Bangkantaek, which is linked to the Maeklong River in Samut Songkhram's Muang district. Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill

Thailand: No rays of hope here 13th October 2016;

After dozens of endangered Stingrays died and more aquatic animals went belly-up on the Mae Klong River, why is it that the Department of Pollution Control and related state agencies are still in the dark about what caused the deaths?

Probably frustrated at the apparent hopelessness of the situation, a black banner bearing a message: RIP Mae Klong River and Himantura chaophraya, the scientific name of the dying Giant Freshwater Stingrays (Actually it's Himantura polylepis Urogymnus polylepis), has been widely circulated among concerned citizens and environmentalists online.

Mae Klong River residents and aquatic culture farmers have every reason to feel let down by the pollution control authority, in particular, in this case. Also in the dark is the provincial industrial office which is authorised to regulate factories to ensure they comply with environmental protection rules. It has been almost two weeks since the Stingrays, a rare and magnificent creature that is considered among the largest freshwater fish in the world, started to die in large numbers on Sept 29.

The unusual deaths of the bottom-feeding large-sized Rays that are also classified as being endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature should have raised alarm bells with the pollution authority immediately. While it is possible that natural causes could be at play, a more likely explanation for the sudden deaths is that pollution is to blame.

Mae Klong River residents and conservation networks started to detect a possible surge in wastewater volume on Sept 27. There was no word from the authority at that time as to whether water quality in the river remained safe or whether there were any attempts to monitor the situation.

The pollution control authority failed to react even after the death toll of Stingrays increased to more than 20, or after commercially cultured fish and clams were found dead as well. It was only after the damage to the river and aquatic animals provoked an uproar from society that officials from the pollution control department went to collect water samples and sediment from the river.

Lab results of the water samples will not be available until tomorrow. The delay by the officials to react to the possible pollution problem is likely to result in it missing an opportunity to identify what exactly caused the sudden deaths of the Stingrays and other animals, and who should be held to blame.

But that is not the worst that the public can expect from the authority. While suspecting that wastewater discharged from factories located along the river's course is likely to be behind the sudden death of the endangered species and other animals, the department conceded in the same breath that even with its delayed lab findings, it will be impossible to single out the factory that polluted the river.

The Mae Klong River incident does raise a serious question: What is the use of the pollution control authority if it cannot effectively monitor pollution levels in public waterways, cannot prevent illegal dumping of toxic waste and cannot find any culprits in the event such irresponsible acts occur?

The deaths of the endangered species of Stingray, whose population may have come down to only a hundred or so and become too small for it to be viable in the future, and the damage to commercial aquatic culture industry is a reminder that selfish behaviour seeking personal benefits over the country's common good still exists.

A more worrying point that the incident has brought to the fore, however, is whether we have an effective mechanism to monitor the violations and to take those responsible for them to task. Considering what has happened in the Mae Klong River, the answer to the question seems bleak.

Source: Bangkok Post

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A resident secures one of the 15 dead Giant Stingrays found floating in front of Wat Khu Thamsathit in Khlong Bangkantaek, which is linked to the Maeklong River in Samut Songkhram's Muang district. Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill

Thailand: Stingray deaths spur checks Pollution dept orders toxic discharge tests By Apinya Wipatayotin, 12 October 2016;

Wastewater discharged from factories is likely to be behind a sudden spike in deaths of Giant Freshwater Stingrays (Urogymnus polylepis) in Samut Songkhram, but lab test results may not be able to provide a link to the culprits, says the Department of Pollution Control.

A lab test is needed to clarify the source of chemicals or toxic substances that killed the Rays and is expected on Friday, said Wicharn Simachaya, the department's chief.

His team collected samples of water and sediment from different spots along the Mae Klong River, from Samut Songkhram to Kanchanaburi, for tests to identify heavy metals and chemicals that might point to the cause of the unusual deaths.

At least 15 Stingrays have been found dead since Sept 29.

Even with the lab findings, it will be impossible to single out the factory that discharged the wastewater, he said.

"Most factories are using the same chemicals, so it's difficult to point to a wrongdoer," he added.

The high death rate prompted authorities to collect more samples from nearby Don Hoi Lot, a local source of Razor Clams (Solen sp.), which have also started dying.

Meanwhile, Nantarika Chansue, a vet from Chulalongkorn University who disclosed the spike in deaths of the rare species of Rays on her Facebook, insisted tests showed the cause of the deaths was not natural, citing findings by the Animal Health Institute that found toxic contamination in the livers and kidneys of some of the dead Stingrays.

Toxins were found at 20 times the normal level which showed the kidney had to work hard to get rid of the toxin from their bodies, she said.

Three survivors being nursed also showed similar symptoms of being paralysed, resulting from toxic contamination.

"We can't tell what kind of factory released the toxins, but it was clear the toxins were not from the farming sector because the amount of contamination was too high," she said. She also ruled out natural causes as too many of the Rays had died.

She was concerned the Stingrays kept dying, as there are only about 150 left in the river.

Local communities believed the death was caused by sugar and ethanol-producing factories in Ratchaburi's Ban Pong district.

An ethanol plant in Ratchaburi admitted that one of its waste water pipes broke, leading to wastewater discharges into the river. It is in the process of fixing it.

It said the incident happened on Sept 30, but the Stingrays started to die a few days before that. However, locals argued the leak started long before the factory claims.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered officials to find out the cause of the Stingrays deaths, saying the Rays should be conserved as they are an indicator of the condition of the river.

Officials were also instructed to look into the cause of the deaths of fish raised in baskets and take care of the fish farmers, the premier said.

Samut Songkhram governor Kanchat Tansatien said he instructed agencies to collect samples of water and sediment in four locations along the river to find out the cause of the deaths.

The locations which Stingrays regularly inhabit are near Wat Phet Samut Worawihan, Somdet Phra Buddha Loetla Nabhalai Bridge, both in Muang district, Somdet Phra Srisuriyendra Bridge in Amphawa district and Amarin Tharamat Bridge in Bang Khonthi district.

Referring to the mass deaths of Razor Clams in the province, Mr Kanchat said water quality was likely to be the cause. Tests would be conducted.

Source: Bangkok Post

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Thailand: VMARC reveals stingray deaths triggered by toxic waste 12th October 2016;

The Veterinary Medical Aquatic animal Research Center (VMARC) revealed that massive Giant Freshwater Stingray (Urogymnus polylepis) deaths in the Mae Khlong River in Samut Songkhram were caused by toxic waste.

VMRAC Director Nantarika Chansue said lab results revealed that it was likely that the fish were killed by toxic waste from factories. She claimed their deaths were not triggered by natural causes.

Dr. Nantarika said even though it was not clear what type of toxic waste was found inside the fish, it was certainly not the kind that could be found in the nature. At least 50 Stingrays were killed in the river.

Pollution Control Department Director General Wijarn Simachaya said authorities will be able to identify the origin of toxic chemicals when more test results are released this Friday.

Legal actions are expected to be taken against responsible factories. Samut Songkhram Governor Kanchat Tansatien has instructed relevant agencies to investigate the cause of Stingray deaths.

Mr. Kanchat also said the recent massive deaths of Razor Clams (Solen sp.) in Don Hoi Lot were caused by algal blooms, not the same toxic waste water that killed the Stingrays. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha ordered a quick probe into the problem as it is a direct threat to the ecosystem.

Source: National News Bureau of Thailand

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Thailand: Razor Clams dying at Don Hoi Lot; more dead Rays found By Chularat Saengpassa, 11th October 2016;

Razor Clams (Solen sp.) are dying off in the famous tourist attraction of Don Hoi Lot river delta in Samut Songkhram province, near the same area where dozens of Giant Freshwater Stingrays (Himantura polylepis) were recently found dead.

The number of dead Stingrays found in the Mae Klong River, which runs through Samut Songkhram and nearby Ratchaburi province, now stands at 45, Samut Songkhram's fisheries chief Utai Singtothong said, as three more carcasses were found yesterday.

Water pollution - the suspected cause of the Stingray deaths - already has taken a toll on the Don Hoi Lot river delta.

"Water has turned red and smelled badly during the past three to four days," Supap Kongraksa, a village head in Samut Songkhram's Muang district, said yesterday.

Her team has been inspecting coastal zones after the shocking reports of the Stingray deaths.

"At dawn, I found many Razor Clams climbing up to the muddy surface at Don Hoi Lot. When my team caught them, we found them to be very weak and dying," she said.

Don Hoi Lot is a famous seaside area that typically has a robust population of Razor Clams. Many tourists travel to Samut Songkhram specifically to visit the area.

"I am now worried that all the Razor Clams here will die," Supap said.

Bandhit Pansawat, a coordinator for the Self-Managed Samut Songkhram Group, said Blood Cockles (Tegillarca sp.) in the area had also died.

"We also noticed that many small fish had headed out of the Mae Klong River to a connected small canal since September 29," he said, adding that he was disappointed the authorities had so far said that the water quality was fine.

Utai said yesterday that his agency was in the process of examining samples from the river, as well as water from Don Hoi Lot. "Results should be available soon," he said.

Last Friday, the Pollution Control Department announced that the amount of dissolved oxygen in Samut Songkhram's Mae Klong River was sufficient to support life.

Weerakit Joerakate, who works with Kasetsart University's Samut Songkhram Fisheries Research Station, said his team had collected water, soil and plankton samples along the Mae Klong River yesterday from Samut Songkhram and Ratchaburi provinces.

"We believe we will be able to identify toxic substances, if any are there, within five days," he said.

Source: The Nation