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Maxwell (1911) conducted an extensive investigation of the “turtle-banks” of coastal Myanmar, as part of a review for the Burma Fisheries Act of 1902. At that time turtles nested on Thamihla Kyun (Diamond Island 15° 51' N 94° 17' E), an island at the mouth of the Pathein River, and Kaingthaung Kyun (15° 44' N 95° 04’ E) and Thaungkadun (15° 43' N 95° 18' E) at the mouths of the Ayeyarwady (formerly spelled Irrawaddy) and Bogale Rivers, respectively. These beaches were leased by the Colonial Administration to local businessmen, who harvested and sold eggs. About 1.5 million olive ridley turtle eggs and 1.6 million green turtle eggs were harvested annually. Based on this egg harvest and several assumptions regarding female fecundity, Maxwell estimated a nesting population of 5,000 green turtles and 3,750 olive ridley turtles.

The lower Ayeyarwady Delta has remained largely closed to foreigners for the last 20 years. We obtained permission to enter the region and conduct a general ecological reconnaissance in January and February 1999, with particular emphasis on determining the status of saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) and estuarine turtles (Batagur baska and Kachuga trivittata). We were also able to conduct a brief survey of the marine turtle nesting beaches in the lower delta. Additional information was obtained from Fisheries Department personnel.

Most of the small, recently formed islands off the mouth of the Bogale River are used by sea turtles for nesting. According to the Myanmar Fisheries Department, the total number of nests in the region is currently about 300 annually, indicating a drastic reduction in regional turtle populations during this century. Most nesting is by olive ridley turtles (70%), followed by loggerhead turtles (20%) and green turtles (10%).

At the time of Maxwell’s report, the only islands in existence were Kadonkalay Kyun (15° 49’ N 95° 13’ E), a recently formed sandbar, and Kaingthaung Kyun. Human settlement began around 1980, and today both islands are densely populated. A series of other islands have formed at the mouth of the Bogale River, but Kadonkalay Kyun remains the largest (ca. 2.6 km2) and is increasing in length at an annual rate of 150 m. Approximately 180 turtle nests are found each year along the eastern shore. About 80 turtle nests are found annually on Gayetgyi Kyun (15° 41’ N 95° 16’ E), a smaller island (ca. 1 km2) located east of Kadonkalay, formed 30 years ago and currently inhabited by 200-300 families. An additional 10 nests per year occur on Nga Mann Thaung, a small island some 300 m in diameter, which began forming east of Gayetgyi in the late 1980s. Less than 5 nests a year are deposited on Ma Sein Yon and Nget U Thin, which are sand islands formed during the last five years to the west of Kadonkalay Kyun.

Today only 1-2 turtles a year nest on Kaingthaung Kyun, and no nesting occurs at Thaungkadon Kyun. The largest concentration of nesting currently occurs on Thamihla Kyun (Diamond Island), a protected beach where according to the Fisheries Department about 20,000-30,000 green turtle eggs and 7,000-15,000 loggerhead turtle eggs are laid annually. However, there appears to be some confusion regarding the discrimination between loggerhead and olive ridley turtles and some of the reported loggerhead turtle eggs may, in fact be those of the olive ridley turtle

Prior to 1986, beaches were leased by the Fisheries Department to the highest bidder, and virtually all eggs were collected. From 1986 to 1996 the egg collection program was run through local fishing communities, who were required to leave one-third of the eggs to hatch. However, we were told by local fishermen that compliance with these regulations was almost non-existent. After 1997, the Fisheries Department fully protected all offshore turtle nesting beaches, and established a conservation program under the direction of U Cho Hla Aung. The program involves nest-monitoring, establishment of hatcheries to incubate transplanted nests that are threatened by flooding, and even the relocation of villages to reduce the impact on nesting turtles.

We observed the beach monitoring program and inspected the hatcheries during our visit to Gayetgyi and Kadonkalay. Marine turtle nesting biology is now the subject of a research project by Dr. Win Maung and a Master of Science degree student, Miss Kalyar from Yangon University. Despite very limited resources, the beach protection program is well organized and has been quite successful at reducing the collection of eggs from nests by local villagers. Fisheries Department personnel walk the beaches at night during the nesting period (September-March, with a peak in January-February) and mark the location of all nests found. Nests low on the beach, which may be subjected to flooding, are transplanted to higher ground. Fisheries personnel also worked with leaders of the fishing village on Gayetgyi to relocate houses away from the seaward nesting beaches. The substantial achievements of the program over a relatively short period of time are due to the efforts of U Cho Hla Aung and a very dedicated group of beach monitors.

Technical resources are extremely limited in Myanmar; even basic scientific literature is unavailable, and the Yangon University library receives no foreign journals. Parties interested in supplying technical assistance or needing further information regarding this project or other conservation issues in Myanmar are urged to contact U Saw Tun Khaing (contact details above).

MAXWELL, F.D. 1911. Report on the turtle-banks of the Irrawaddy Division. In: Reports on inland and sea fisheries in Thongwa, Myaungmya, and Bassein Districts and the turtle-banks of the Irrawaddy Division. Government Printing Office, Rangoon. pp. 1-57.