Research News

Asst. Prof. Dr. Amonsak Sawusdee, WU CAS Director, as the project leader, together with representatives from the Thai Sea Conservation Association, the Blue Swimming Crab Bank Network of Nakhon Si Thammarat and Surat Thani provinces, and third-year students from the Marine Science Program, School of Science, conducted a field study to assess the potential of a restoration area for the clam at the Pak Nam Tha Muang Blue Swimming Crab Bank, Wang Subdistrict, Tha Chana District, Surat Thani Province. This activity is part of the project "Blue Swimming Crab Bank: A Tool for Integrated Coastal Resource Management for Sustainable Utilization", which is funded by the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) under the 2024 research and innovation grant.
 
Community-led marine and coastal resource conservation focuses on raising awareness about the importance of food sources and creating safe habitats for juvenile marine life. This includes setting up conservation zones, preventing illegal fishing, and encouraging community participation in monitoring and protecting natural resources.
 
"Enhancing Community Participation in Coastal Resource Conservation and Promoting Conservation Activities in Coastal Areas to Foster Collaborative Efforts and Prepare Coastal Ecosystems for Marine and Coastal Resource Restoration" aims to raise awareness among community members about the importance of marine and coastal resource conservation and restoration while providing safe habitats for juvenile aquatic species. This initiative also serves as a means of passing down traditional knowledge and wisdom from generation to generation.

Beyond conservation efforts, this initiative strengthens the involvement of coastal community organizations in resource restoration, leading to an increase in marine life populations. It also contributes to the development of key ecotourism sites, creating jobs and generating income for local communities. Additionally, the program includes the management and restoration of resources such as blue swimming crabs, clams, and other marine species.
 
The Blue Swimming Crab Bank Project (2018–2024) has established 62 banks, released over 50,000 berried female blue swimming crabs and returned zoea-stage crabs to the sea. Within a year, fishermen’s average catch increased to 8 kg per boat per day, reaching 10–15 kg after 3–4 years. Commercial fishing saw similar trends, with catches rising from 40–60 kg to 80–100 kg per boat per day, sometimes exceeding 100 kg. Fishermen in Nakhon Si Thammarat and Surat Thani agreed to designate a 500-meter no-fishing zone as a nursery for juvenile marine life. Research findings have supported national fisheries polici