PHUKET Sai Kaew Beach Mass death of red frog crabs

[dirtydog]

PHUKET
Mass death of red frog crabs at Sai Kaew

ACHATAYA CHUENNIRAN

Phuket _ Marine biologists are investigating the death of huge numbers of red frog crabs, or poo jakkajan, on Sai Kaew beach in Phuket's Thalang district.

Dead red frog crabs and other marine species were found scattered all over the 6km-long beach on Sunday.

The Phuket Marine Resources Research and Development Institute yesterday collected samples from the dead crabs, sand and sea. The cause of death should be known today, they said.

Locals said it was the first time they seen such mass deaths.

The crabs, known to scientists as Ranina ranina normally bury themselves in sand after being washed ashore. They are also known as spanner crabs.

Ukrit Gataphomin, acting director of the institute, said there were no reports of mass deaths on nearby beaches.

Jetsada Khunkaew, a dive superviser at the National Marine Park Operations Centre, said other species such as three-spot swimming crabs, or poo dao, and sea cucumbers were also found dead on the beach.
He suspected that poison used by fishermen might have been the cause of the deaths. Red frog crabs have disappeared from most parts of Phuket, except Sai Kaew beach.

Bangkok Post

[Spin]

He suspected that poison used by fishermen might have been the cause of the deaths

They really do that?

Whatever happened to using nets etc etc?

[Marmite the Dog]

Poison and dynamite are much more fun to 3rd world, inbred scumbags.

[dirtydog]

Phuket Dead red frog crabs ‘probably poisoned’

MAI KHAO: Hundreds of red frog crabs, or phu jakkajan, and other species of crabs and sea urchins were found washed ashore on Sai Kaew Beach on Sunday evening. Many of the sea animals were dead, possibly poisoned by fishermen, said Somkiet Khokiettiwong of the Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC).

“We’re not sure how many red frog crabs and other marine animals were found on Sai Kaew Beach. Local villagers said the red frog crabs and other animals were in groups scattered along the beach. Many of them had died, but not all,” K. Somkiet today told the Gazette.

“PMBC staff went to Sai Kaew Beach yesterday and collected samples of the seawater there and the remaining crabs that were still alive, but struggling. We put the crabs in seawater from in front of our office [at Cape Panwa], which we know is not contaminated with any chemicals, and the crabs started showing signs of recovering,” he said.

“We also put some crabs in seawater collected from Sai Kaew Beach and monitored them, and they seemed to recover just the same. We checked the seawater at Sai Kaew Beach and it tested normal, with no problems of oxygen levels or any other problems,” K. Somkiet added.

“Some local villagers said they had seen fishermen sprinkle harmful chemicals on the beach. This is one way of catching aquatic animals such as red frog crabs, which sell for quite high prices.”

“However, this is difficult for us to check because the chemicals might have dissipated before we have the chance to check,” K. Somkiet explained.

“We have yet to determine the true reason why the crabs and other animals died. We will continue to investigate further.”

“I would like to ask people who see any problems like this to please call us immediately – do not wait one or two days, as has happened in this case,” he urged.

“Also, people should not eat any dead marine animals they find on the beach because they might contain chemicals.”

Phuket Gazette