Start-Up Support for Fishing Communities

Start-Up Support for Fishing Communities

Blue Swimming Crab2025, Outreach and Engagement
Outreach and Engagement Many local start-ups producing fishery products do not have access to knowledge in developing packaging to increase more income. WU has undertaken an innovative initiative in 2024 to uplift the fishing communities of Nakhon Si Thammarat. This ambitious project focused on supporting the start-up of financially and socially sustainable businesses by equipping local groups with relevant education and resources, such as mentorship programs, training workshops, and access to university facilities. Tailored Support for Fishing Communities WU collaborated with 12 fishing groups to address specific     needs, including branding, packaging design, and production improvements. The "LayKhon" online platform was introduced to help local businesses expand their reach. Ban Koh Phet Seafood Processing Community Enterprise: Developed a closed-system facility for Halal and FDA certification. Muslimah Fishing Group: Created…
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Collaborations with Local Community in Efforts to Maintain Shared Aquatic Ecosystems

Collaborations with Local Community in Efforts to Maintain Shared Aquatic Ecosystems

Blue Swimming Crab2025, Outreach and Engagement
Outreach and Engagement Walailak University (WU), in collaboration with local fishing communities and multiple partners, has spearheaded an innovative initiative to restore the blue swimming crab population along Thailand’s coastal waters. This initiative, known as the Crab Bank Project, represents a vital effort to promote sustainable fisheries in response to the rapid decline of marine resources. As blue swimming crabs constitute one of Thailand’s most valuable seafood exports, their depletion has posed serious challenges to national food security, economic stability, and the livelihoods of coastal fishers. Through scientific research, stakeholder engagement, and community participation, WU’s project seeks to protect shared marine ecosystems and ensure a sustainable future for Thailand’s fishery sector. Thailand’s coastal zones are rich in biodiversity and provide essential income and nutrition for millions of people. However, intensive…
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Free Educational Activities to Raise Awareness about Overfishing and Destructive Fishing Practices

Free Educational Activities to Raise Awareness about Overfishing and Destructive Fishing Practices

Blue Swimming Crab2025, Outreach and Engagement
Outreach and Engagement In 2024, Walailak University organized free outreach activities for local and national communities to raise awareness about overfishing, illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, and destructive fishing practices. These outreach activities were organized for local fishermen, students, youths, and the general public as part of Walailak University’s initiatives on the promotion of sustainable fishery in Nakhon Si Thammarat and Thailand. Public Seminar on Partnership Promotion for Sustainable Coastal and Marine Resources and Fisheries Management Walailak University has long collaborated with local fishermen in Tha Sala District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, to promote sustainable fisheries and the conservation of marine resources. Through continuous outreach and academic service activities, the University has aimed to enhance local awareness of environmentally friendly fishing practices and encourage the responsible use of marine resources…
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Free Educational  Outreach Programs on Sustainable Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Tourism

Free Educational  Outreach Programs on Sustainable Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Tourism

Blue Swimming Crab2025, Outreach and Engagement
Outreach and Engagement In 2024, Walailak University offered various outreach programs on the sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture, and tourism for local and national communities. All of the outreach programs were provided to the communities freely without any cost to ensure access to educational opportunities among local agriculturists, aquaculturists, and the general public. The outreach programs include both marine biodiversity and freshwater biodiversity. Sustainable Management of Blue Swimming Crab Fisheries and Aquaculture Sustainable Blue Swimming Crab Fisheries In 2024, Blue swimming crab resources in Nakhon Si Thammarat and Surat Thani were still a predominant issue in the local fishery, as it has served as an economic aquatic animal, contributing to the local fishermen’s income and grassroots economy. Additionally, each year, there are new groups of fishermen who still do not…
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Sustained International Collaboration and Research for Best Practices Development on Blue Swimming Crab Resources

Sustained International Collaboration and Research for Best Practices Development on Blue Swimming Crab Resources

Blue Swimming Crab2025, Outreach and Engagement
Outreach and Engagement Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs) are collaborative, multi-stakeholder initiatives designed to enhance fishing practices and management systems, ensuring the long-term sustainability of marine species, ecosystems, and the livelihoods of fishing communities. These projects leverage the influence of the private sector to drive positive changes in fisheries and aim to solidify those improvements through the development of new government policies. In Ban Don Bay, Surat Thani, Thailand, blue swimming crab populations faced a significant decline prior to the implementation of the FIP, largely due to overfishing in heavily exploited inshore areas, the harvesting of undersized crabs and gravid females, and the absence of effective management plans, harvest strategies, and enforcement mechanisms. In response, the Thailand Blue Swimming Crab Fishery Improvement Project (Thailand BSC FIP) was established as an international…
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Local Education and Campaign on Climate Change for Ban Nai Tung Community

Local Education and Campaign on Climate Change for Ban Nai Tung Community

Blue Swimming Crab2025
2 July 2025, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand — Walailak University, led by Asst. Prof. Dr. Panatda Pibul, along with fourth-year students from the Environmental Health Program, School of Public Health, visited the Ban Nai Tung Community to provided local educational outreach program and campaign to raise awareness on the impacts, risks, mitigation measures, and adaptation strategies related to climate change. During the session, participants engaged in discussions, brainstorming, and analysis of the current climate change-related impacts and risks faced by the community, as well as possible approaches for mitigation and adaptation.Through this activity, faculty members and students shared and exchanged knowledge on the impacts of climate change, mitigation, adaptation, and disaster preparedness planning. The initiative aimed to raise public awareness about the importance of engaging in proactive measures to…
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CAS Empowers Local Fishermen with Free Workshop on Packaging Design and Accounting Skills

CAS Empowers Local Fishermen with Free Workshop on Packaging Design and Accounting Skills

Blue Swimming Crab2025
THA SALA, NAKHON SI THAMMARAT, 28 May 2025 — Walailak University, through the Center for Academic Services (CAS), organized a free workshop aimed at enhancing the competencies of local fishermen in Ban Nai Thung Community. The activity was conducted by Mr. Songpan Janthong, Lecturer from the School of Languages and General Education, Mr. Suchart Chansamran, Lecturer from the School of Accountancy and Finance, along with staff from the Center for Academic Services.This workshop formed part of the Center’s social engagement projects in the area of career development and livelihood enhancement. It provided participants with essential knowledge and skills in product development, packaging design, online marketing, business administration, financial management, and local enterprise operation.During the session, Mr. Songpan Janthong shared strategies for product and packaging development tailored to customer preferences. His…
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A New Alternative: “Low-Carbon Tourism” Boosts Community Economy in Koh Samui

A New Alternative: “Low-Carbon Tourism” Boosts Community Economy in Koh Samui

Blue Swimming Crab2025
The Center for Academic Services, led by Asst. Prof. Dr. Amonsak Sawusdee, Director of the Center and Head of the Project, along with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Laksanara Khwanchum, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Onanong Cheablam from the School of Management, Chairperson of the Business Network for Community and Society, and the working group from the Fisherfolk Network of Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat Provinces, conducted a field activity under the project “Low Carbon Journey Samui” to promote sustainable and low-carbon tourism. The event was held at the Ban Tai Blue Swimming Crab Bank, Maenam Subdistrict, Koh Samui District, Surat Thani Province.The training aimed to enhance knowledge on sustainable tourism management and to promote low carbon tourism practices among local tourism operators, community-based tourism groups, and relevant agencies. The initiative is a…
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CAS Director Joins Partners to Promote Sustainable Blue Swimming Crab Management in Support of SDG 14

CAS Director Joins Partners to Promote Sustainable Blue Swimming Crab Management in Support of SDG 14

Blue Swimming Crab2025
Asst. Prof. Dr. Amonsak Sawusdee, Director of the Center for Academic Services, Walailak University, participated in National Committee Meeting on Sustainable Mud Crab Management (Meeting No. 1/2025) to present research findings related to the management of blue swimming crab resources. The presentation included an analysis of LB-SPR values in Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat provinces. The meeting was conducted via Zoom Cloud Meetings and was chaired by Mr. Prathet Sorrak (Deputy - Director General of the Department of Fisheries).The meeting agenda included updates on the progress of the 2024 Fishery Improvement Project - FIP, and monitoring of the second-year implementation (12-month cycle) of the 2023–2030 National Action Plan for Blue Swimming Crab Fisheries Management.During the meeting, reports were presented on:The assessment of blue swimming crab stock status in Surat Thani ProvinceThe progress of impact studies on bycatch ofETP species (Endangered, Threatened,…
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Mobilizing SDG 14: CAS Drives Marine Ecosystem Restoration for Sustainable Resource Use

Mobilizing SDG 14: CAS Drives Marine Ecosystem Restoration for Sustainable Resource Use

Blue Swimming Crab2025
THA SALA, NAKHON SI THAMMARAT, 18–19 April 2025 — The Center for Academic Services (CAS), Walailak University, in collaboration with the Ban Nai Thung Local Fishery Association, a non-governmental organization supporting the fishermen’s society in Tha Sala District, and its partners, organized the project “Artificial Fish Habitat Construction” at the Ban Nai Thung Blue Swimming Crab Learning Center.This significant initiative was launched to raise public awareness of the importance of conserving marine food resources and preserving refuge areas for young aquatic animals. It also aimed to enhance aquatic biodiversity, promote community-based tourism, and increase local fishermen’s income.The event was officially opened by Mr. Bancha Sukkaew, Director of the Department of Fisheries, with a welcoming address delivered by Asst. Prof. Dr. Amonsak Sawusdee, Director of the Center for Academic Services. The…
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