Derelict fishing gears and other marine debris from coral communities on underwater pinnacles in Chumphon Province, Thailand

Abstract

Underwater pinnacles are necessary resources, while these have a complex structure and suitable habitat for marine organisms. This area has long been heavy fishing pressure resulting cumulative by derelict fishing gear (DFG). Almost all derelict fishing gear has been marine debris pollution. A volunteer group led a reef cleanup program to conserve Thai waters (Save Our Sea) and researchers in July 2019 at five underwater pinnacles in Chumphon Province. The cleanup activities showed that all marine debris were derelict fishing gears (145 units, Coverage area was 140.01 m²). The significant occurrence in most living corals areas can divide into four categories (Fishing nets, Ropes, Monofilament lines, Fishing cages). The most coverage by DFG was fishing cages, fishing nets, and ropes (77.93, 59.86, and 4.91 m², respectively). The impacts to coral reefs by 83.7%, with the most diverse effects including covered (34.8%), tissue loss (20.2%), diseases (10.1%), fragmentation (9.6%), bleaching (6.2%.), on corals and trapped (2.8%) with fish. Because the living coral areas were high fisheries potential and a large diversity of marine organisms that become targeted to the fishing industries, Hin Phum and Hin Thong Wo represent live coral are less than other substrates, but fishing gears were high. The clear evidence showed that most areas with high fisheries activities are marine debris accumulated more than stations that focus on tourism activities. Therefore, this study can apply to managing marine debris in the Gulf of Thailand.