Walailak University’s Continual Collaborations with NGOs: Protecting Marine Resources for SDG 14

During this platform, Walailak University researchers presented Thailand’s progress, including successful initiatives like the Blue Swimming Crab Bank Project, fish habitat restoration programs, and community education on responsible fishing. These experiences informed wider discussions on practical, adaptable strategies that could be applied across the region.

Drawing from insights exchanged during the meeting, participating stakeholders collectively identified key best practices for crab fisheries management. These included the implementation of harvest control rules (HCRs) tailored to local ecological and socio-economic contexts, the establishment of minimum legal size limits and seasonal fishing closures to protect spawning crabs and juvenile populations, and the promotion of gear selectivity improvements to reduce bycatch and the capture of undersized marine animals.

To assess the effectiveness of these interventions, participating researchers and stakeholders measured key indicators, including crab population recovery, compliance with harvest control rules, and improvements in fishers’ adherence to sustainable practices.

Other recommended practices involved the development of community-led crab bank programs to enhance resource replenishment, the introduction of awareness campaigns and training initiatives targeting fishers, processors, and local communities, and the use of heat maps and spatial data tools to monitor fishing effort, habitat conditions, and crab stock distribution.