Survey of Marine Phytoplankton in Ship’s Ballast Tanks at Laem Chabang International Port, Thailand

Marine phytoplankton was investigated in ballast water of ships from 2010 to 2012 with a collection of 30 marine vessels that docked at Laem Chabang International Port in Chonburi Province, Thailand. The results showed that the dominant group of phytoplankton was diatoms. The amount of phytoplankton in the ballast tanks averaged less than 10 cells/ mL, which is less than Regulation D-2 of the Ballast Water Management Convention which requires that marine organisms between the sizes of 10 ≤ X <50 µm should be less than 10 cells/mL and size ≥ 50 µm should be less than 10 cell/m3 in ballast water. Alien species of phytoplankton was not recorded in this survey

Survey of Fouling Organisms at Songkhla Port in Thailand

The fouling organisms at Songkhla Port were investigated from November 2011 to December 2012. Samples were collected using PVC panels (10 cm x 20 cm) submerged for one-month and three-month periods. Analysis of fouling panels was carried out using PhotoGrid software. In addition to slime and silt, three types of fouling organisms, namely encrusting bryozoa, barnacles and calcareous polychaetes, were observed on the submerged PVC panels. Calcareous polychaetes and molluscs were the most diverse groups (ten species) on panels that were submerged for one-month and three-month periods. Barnacles (Balanus spp.) were most abundant on panels submerged for three-month periods, while calcareous polychaetes dominated one-month panels. The dominant species of mollusc was the mussel Brachidontes sp. The major polychaetes identified were Ficopomatus macrodon, F. enigmaticus and Hydroides norvegicus. A highlight of this study was the first record of the Caribbean tubeworm Hydroides sanctaecrucis in Thailand, which has previously invaded and established in Australian waters through hull fouling

An inter-site study of biofouling recruitment on static immersion panels in major ports of South East Asia and India

Limited knowledge of native marine biodiversity hinders effective biodiversity management to safeguard South and Southeast Asia’s marine coastal environment against the threat of invasive species transfer through shipping. In particular, sessile marine biofouling organisms in South East Asian ports are poorly known. Through the support of the ASEAN-India Cooperation Project on the Extent of Transfer of Alien Invasive Organisms in South/South East Asia Region by Shipping, a coordinated effort to examine diversity of biofouling organisms in major port areas in Southeast Asia and India was made using polyvinylchloride (PVC) panels as recruitment surfaces in a static immersion study for a period of 12 months. Not surprisingly, the study revealed that fouling patterns differed between ports possibly as a result of dissimilar hydrographic conditions. However, there were also underlying similarities that reflected a regional uniformity in the composition of fouling communities. At the same time, the alien Caribbean bivalve Mytilopsis sallei was detected in Manila Bay (Philippines), Songkhla Port (Thailand) and Singapore. This is a first simultaneous biofouling survey involving scientists and government stakeholders from India and ASEAN nations of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines and Vietnam

Marine Environments and Phytoplankton in the Area of the Locally Based Coastal Fisheries Management Project: Pathew District, Chumphon Province

Investigations on marine environments were carried out at 10 sampling stations in the area of the Locally-Based Coastal Fisheries Management Project, Pathew District, Chumphon Province from 2002 to 2006. The depth of the bottom of the area ranged from 3.4 to 19.3 meters. The environmental variables were measured and the data are as follows: transparency 1.2 - 4.3 meters, mean surface temperature 29.44 ± 0.47°C, salinity 31.08 - 33.53 PSU, pH 7.26 - 8.93 and dissolved oxygen 4.83 - 6.25 mg/l. Nutrients, total suspended solids (TSS) and chlorophyll a were analyzed and the results are: average nitrite 0.010 - 0.290 μg-at N/l, average nitrate 0.121 - 13.570 μg-at N/l, average ammonia 2.153 - 22.294 μg-at N/l, average orthophosphate 0.189 - 0.684 μg-at P/l, average TSS 25.18 - 53.75 mg/l. The biological index used was the average chlorophyll a at 0.116 - 2.201 mg/m3. Phytoplankton was investigated and 66 genera in 5 divisions were identified. Diatom was the most common. High density of phytoplankton was recorded in June 2004 and September 2005. In June 2004 the dominant species were Ditylum sole from 2.06 x 104 to 1.79 x 105 cells/l while in September 2005 Chaetoceros spp. was more pronounced from 3.45 x 105 to 1.79 x 106 cells/l. As experienced, this density level may cause the red-tide phenomena. Such phenomenon was observed when Noctiluca scintillans which almost entirely makes up the red tide, was dominant at Station 9 in August 2004. The water quality in the study area is suitable for coastal aquaculture. The physical, chemical and biological indices of Pathew Bay showed that the Bay is at risk from phytoplankton blooms and accumulation of nutrients. Therefore, limitation on aquaculture in terms of area and density of fish stocks should be considered to prevent environmental damage due to plankton blooms and eutrophication when the load of aquaculture waste exceeds the carrying capacity of the Bay

The Marine Environmental Condition of the Pakklong Sub-district Coastal Area and their Effect on Coastal Aquaculture

A baseline survey on the marine environmental condition of Pakklong sub-district, Pathew District, Chumporn province was conducted between January and October 2002. Physical, chemical and biological parameter data were collected at twelve stations at monthly intervals in the first half period and at bimonthly intervals in the last period. Weather data were obtained on diary basis. The water quality in the study area is suitable for coastal aquaculture, but with special care in the summer season. The physical characteristics of Pathew bay and the properties of the showed that the bay is at risk from blooms of plankton and the accumulation of wastages. Therefore, limitation of aquaculture area and numbers is necessary to prevent damage from plankton blooms or any other pollution events when the load of aquaculture waste exceeds the carrying capacity of the water