Educational Outreach Activities for communities: Overfishing management
In 2023, Walailak University continued to collaborate with the Fisheries Office of Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, the Association of Thai Fisherfolk Federation, the National Research Council of Thailand, and the Agricultural Research Development Agency (Public Organization) to conduct educational outreach activities at both local and national levels. These efforts aimed to raise awareness about overfishing, illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, and harmful fishing practices affecting blue swimming crabs. The activities targeted fishermen, local and national government officials, youth, NGOs, and the general public in Nakhon Si Thammarat and Surat Thani, fostering a broad understanding of sustainable fishing practices and marine conservation.
The educational outreach activities followed international fishing standards under the Fishery Improvement Project (FIP) and aimed to educate communities on sustainable catch sizes and the ecological damage caused by illegal fishing gear. Aligned with an ecosystem-based approach, these efforts were designed to help maintain or restore fisheries resources and related ecosystems in Nakhon Si Thammarat and Surat Thani Provinces in Southern Thailand, near Walailak University.
The activities also sought to educate communities on the importance of prohibiting the capture of immature animals, preventing unaccounted fishing mortality, and reducing ghost fishing. Participants learned about marine animal life cycles, the food chain within marine ecosystems, bycatch reduction, species growth and recruitment, survival rates, and the maximum sustainable yield for key economic species. This knowledge aimed to encourage more sustainable fishing practices among participants, ultimately supporting the health and balance of marine ecosystems.
In addition, in 2023, Walailak University collaborated with the Department of Fisheries and the Thai Sea Watch Association, and the Federation of Thai Fisherfolk Association, to organize forums to educate local fishermen on sustainable fishing practices. This free campaign aimed to discourage the capture, purchase, sale, and consumption of small aquatic animals caught using illegal fishing gear. The primary objectives of this outreach initiative were to raise awareness about the impact of overfishing and to create a platform for local fishing communities to exchange knowledge on sustainable fisheries and ecosystem management. Key topics included guidelines on the appropriate size of aquatic animals to harvest, the detrimental effects of destructive fishing tools that capture juvenile fish, and the damage these tools cause to seabed habitats essential for marine biodiversity.
The educational outreach programs provided measurable benefits, fostering improved awareness and adoption of sustainable fishing practices among local fishing communities, directly benefiting blue swimming crab populations and other crucial marine species. By learning about marine life cycles, sustainable yields, and bycatch reduction, participants demonstrated a deeper understanding of ecosystem preservation and sustainable fisheries management. Additionally, the forums fostered a sense of shared responsibility and community among fishermen, government officials, and youth, strengthening their commitment to marine conservation practices and promoting a more balanced and healthy marine ecosystem in Nakhon Si Thammarat and Surat Thani.
