Andaman Sea

Andaman Sea

The Andaman Sea, historically also known as the Burma Sea, is a marginal sea of ​​the northeastern Indian Ocean. The name “Andaman” is derived from the Andaman Islands, which form an important geographical boundary between this sea and the Bay of Bengal.

Geographical Location and Adjacent Countries

The Andaman Sea lies south of Myanmar, west of Thailand, and north of Indonesia. It is bounded by the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to the west, which separate it from the Bay of Bengal. The Strait of Malacca forms the southern outlet of the basin. The countries bordering this sea are India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Thailand.

Major Cities on the Andaman Sea

Major cities on the Andaman Sea include Port Blair in India, Dawei, Mawlamyine, and Yangon in Myanmar, Ranong in Thailand, George Town and Penang in Malaysia, and Belawan in Indonesia.

Habitat and Biodiversity

The Andaman Sea is rich in biodiversity and is home to various marine ecosystems such as mangroves, coral reefs, seagrass beds, and marine algae beds. The coastal areas are covered with mangrove forests and seagrass meadows, which play an important role in the productivity of the coastal waters.

Rivers Flowing into the Andaman Sea

Major rivers flowing into the Andaman Sea are the Irrawaddy and the Salween (Thanlwin) rivers. These rivers bring significant amounts of sediment to the sea, contributing to the formation of mudflats and other coastal landforms.

Fish Species and Important Fisheries

There are about 280 edible fish species in the Andaman Sea, belonging to 75 families. Important fish species for the fisheries include tuna, shrimps such as the banana shrimp and tiger prawn, and several species of squid and shellfish. The sea is also home to vulnerable species such as the dugong, several species of dolphins and four species of sea turtles.

Biotopes

• Mangroves
  Mangroves cover more than 600 km² of the Thai coasts of Peninsular Malaysia. These forests are crucial to the high productivity of the coastal waters, as their roots trap sediments and provide shelter for fish and small aquatic organisms.
• Coral reefs
  Coral reefs cover approximately 117 km² in the Andaman Sea, although only 6.4 percent are in ideal condition. These reefs are important for biodiversity and serve as habitats for many marine species.
• Seagrass meadows
  Seagrass meadows cover an area of ​​79 km² and are important habitats for many marine species, including the vulnerable dugong. They also provide protection against erosion and improve water quality by trapping sediments.
• Mudbanks and Lagoons
  The mudbanks and lagoons along the coastal areas are rich in nutrients and provide habitat for many burrowing and benthic organisms.

Water Circulation

The water circulation in the Andaman Sea is strongly influenced by the seasonal monsoon winds and the inflow of fresh water from rivers. During summer and winter there is a strong outward flow of water, while during summer there is a strong inward flow of water. The sea also experiences waves that contribute to the water circulation and influence the depth of the temperature zones

Water Values

The salinity of the water in the Andaman Sea varies, with an average specific gravity (sg) of about 1.020 to 1.025. The water temperature also varies, the average depth of the 20°C limit is deeper in April and October, indicating the presence of downdrafts. The sea has a high degree of water transport through the straits, especially in April and October, which contributes to the variability of the water values.

In conclusion, the Andaman Sea is an ecologically rich and geologically complex sea, with diverse habitats and dynamic water circulation. Its biodiversity and different biotopes make it an important area for both fisheries and the conservation of marine ecosystems.

Below you will find the fish species that we have added to our database and that occur in the Andaman Sea.