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Walailak University was honored to welcome delegates from Charles Sturt University, Australia, for an exchange of knowledge on sustainable fisheries, focusing on securing food supplies and preserving marine biodiversity.

The event, held today at the Spark Meeting Room, Academic Building 1, Walailak University, was attended by over 100 lecturers, researchers, and students. It was a collaborative effort between Walailak University, Charles Sturt University, the Australian Embassy in Thailand, and the Regional Universities Network (RUN) from Australia. This initiative aimed to foster academic and research partnerships, strengthening efforts toward sustainable fisheries management.

The distinguished delegation included: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ivor Stuart, Fisheries Ecologist, Gulbali Research Institute, Charles Sturt University; Ms. Chelsea Schlink, Director of Business Development, Gulbali Research Institute, Charles Sturt University; Mr. Alec Webb, CEO, Regional Universities Network, Australia; Ms. Freya Kaine, Counsellor (Education and Research) for Vietnam and Thailand, Australian Embassy in Thailand; and Ms. Watinee Kharnwong, Director of the Department of Education, Australian Embassy in Thailand.

During the session, Dr. Ivor Stuart provided a global perspective on the significance of fisheries, highlighting their critical role in human nutrition and economic stability. He emphasized that over 3 billion people worldwide depend on freshwater and saltwater fish as a primary food source. Within Thailand, fisheries contribute approximately 1.8% of the national GDP.

However, despite their importance, fisheries are declining due to environmental changes. This decline threatens not only global food security but also the livelihoods of millions who rely on fisheries as their primary source of income. In response, innovative solutions and sustainable management practices are essential to reversing this trend.

 

 

Providing a local example of successful fisheries restoration, Assistant Professor Dr. Amonsak Sawusdee, Director of the Center for Academic Services and Head of the Restoration of Blue Crab Population Project at Walailak University, introduced the Crab Bank Initiative - a collaborative conservation effort supported by Thai government agencies, including the National Research Council of Thailand, the Department of Fisheries, and the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, along with private sector partners and universities.

This initiative aims to increase blue crab populations in Nakhon Si Thammarat and Surat Thani provinces through a sustainable stock enhancement strategy. Previously, fishers were catching less than 5 kilograms of blue crabs per boat per day. However, by implementing key conservation measures - such as encouraging fishers to release egg-bearing female crabs into controlled rearing conditions, allowing them to spawn before their larvae and juvenile crabs are released back into the sea and avoiding catching crabs smaller than 10 centimeters to prevent the harvesting of immature crabs - these efforts have led to a significant increase in crab populations, enabling fishers to now catch up to 15 kilograms per boat per day.

Since its establishment in 2017, the project has transformed Thailand’s blue crab fisheries. By 2018, it had elevated the country’s blue crab fishery standard - as assessed by the Marine Resources Evaluation Group - from C-level to A-level, a ranking it continues to maintain today. The project has also brought substantial economic benefits, contributing over 1.5 billion Baht in blue crab exports, while securing the livelihoods of local fishing communities. 

This knowledge exchange between Walailak University and Charles Sturt University underscores the importance of international collaboration in sustainable fisheries research. By combining scientific expertise, policy development, and community engagement, such partnerships can drive long-term solutions for marine conservation and food security.

 

 





News by Settaboot Onphakdee, Division of Corporate Communication