South China Sea
An Irrawaddy dolphin in the Inner Gulf of Thailand, part of the South China Sea.
© WWF-Canon / Roengchai KONGMUANG
© WWF-Canon / Roengchai KONGMUANG
The South China Sea comprises 1,500 km of coastal waters running along southern Cambodia, south-eastern and peninsular (eastern) Thailand, and western and southern Vietnam.
Some 15 cetaceans have been recorded many of which are data deficient. A further 35 shorebirds utilize the habitats for wintering and passage feeding grounds.
Species
Among the cetaceans, the Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris) is one of the most threatened inshore dwelling species, often trapped in fishing gear and targeted for the wildlife trade.
Among the wintering shorebirds, the endangered spoon-billed sandpiper (Eurynorhynchus pymaeus), Nordmann’s greenshank (Tringa guttifer) and Asian dowitcher (Limnodromus semipalmatus) are highly endangered. The endangered black-faced spoonbill (Platelea minor) also winters in the region.
Threats
The South China Sea region suffers from a wide range of serious threats. Unsustainable offshore and onshore fishing have depleted fish stocks throughout the coastal waters. Water pollution is serious, particularly close to urban and industrial centres.
Conversion of mangrove, particularly to shrimp farm aquaculture, has occurred at a frightening pace. Climate change, lack, weakness on institutional arrangement, legislation; wildlife trade; infrastructure: Gulf bridge, roads
