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