Thai tourist haven Ko Phi Phi sees return of baby bamboo sharks vital to ecosystem
- Marine biologists released four predatory fish – aged 9-10 months – on a coral reef off Ko Mah island; they are vital for the ecosystem and harmless to humans
- The population of the predatory fish is declining in Thailand due to overfishing and the destruction of their natural habitat – the coral reefs
In the picturesque Thai resort of Ko Phi Phi, bamboo sharks have been released into the wild after being bred for several months as part of an important environmental project.
The Save Our Sharks project aims to support the fragile marine ecosystem around the Hat Noppharat Thara -Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park in Krabi province, which is popular with tourists from around the world.
In March, marine biologists released four baby predatory fish (vital for the ecosystem, harmless to humans) aged 9-10 months on a coral reef off Ko Mah island.
“Most shark species play an important role in population control,” said marine biologist Kullawit Limchularat, who released the animals into the wild during a dive with colleagues. “They hunt the weakest prey. Stronger animals survive and can reproduce, which ultimately makes the ecosystem stronger and more diverse.”
For tourists, however, there’s nothing to be feared from these sharks. When they are young, the only thing that these small, brown-striped fish have in common with what most people think of when they hear “shark” is their streamlined shape.
They are often described as cute and shy. After opening the transport box, the divers have to knock against the walls several times to encourage the small sharks to swim out.
02:20
Thailand breeds baby bamboo sharks to save the species from extinction
Brownbanded bamboo sharks (Chiloscyllium punctatum) are classified as “potentially endangered” on the red list of the World Conservation Union (IUCN). The population of the predatory fish is also declining in Thailand due to overfishing and the destruction of their natural habitat – the coral reefs.
The Save Our Sharks project was launched last November by the Phuket Marine Biological Centre (PMBC) of the Thai Ministry of Environment in cooperation with the Marine Discovery Centre of the Saii Phi Phi Island Village resort.
So far, more than 20 bamboo sharks have been released, Limchularat says, with 30 to 40 expected to follow next year. “But that depends both on how many new sharks are born in our country and on our data on the state of the shark population,” he says. “Of course, we have to avoid overpopulation at all costs.”
Brown-banded bamboo sharks are among the egg-laying shark species. When they hatch, the babies are around 10 centimetres long. They grow up at the Marine Discovery Centre near the picturesque Loh Ba Kao Bay, first in aquariums and later in small tanks – until they are big enough to survive in the Andaman Sea. Males can grow up to 60 centimetres long as adults.
