A baby Blacktip reef shark was rescued from being choked by plastic rings in Thailand.

The shark pups was found injured off the shores of Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park in Krabi province on June 19.

It was caught in thick plastic rings, believed to be from fuel or water gallon containers, with the rubbish constricting and cutting into its gills.

The Thai Sharks and Rays x Mnpoc 3 x DMCR x DNP team, under the Maya Bay Sharks Watch Project, rescued the shark pup off Ao Maya bay.

Wichyuth Limangkur Bunyanet, an officer of the Marine National Park, Maya Bay, said: 'It took almost two and a half hours to catch the severely injured shark due to poor weather conditions, including rain, heavy winds, and turbid water.

'The rescued baby shark was a male, with a body length of 60 centimetres and a weight of less than 2.5 kilogrammes.'

The shark quickly swam away after being freed.

Officers said they hoped to find it and identify it again from the scars on its body.

The team said that a mature Blacktip reef shark helps create balanced coral ecosystems stretching over several rai as it helps protect the reefs throughout its entire lifespan.

They added that more than 70 per cent of the harmful waste at Ao Maya bay has been collected.