Promoting the Sustainable Use and Conservation of Marine Resources, and Cultivating Awareness of Legal Compliance in Fishing Practices among Local Youth and Communities

“Chulalongkorn University conducts free educational outreach activities for local fishing communities and youth raising awareness about overfishing impacts, Illegal Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing practices including permit violations and unreported catches, and sustainable fishing alternatives. The programs include awareness-raising on destructive fishing methods such as cyanide fishing, blast/dynamite fishing, trawling in sensitive habitats (coral reefs, seagrass beds), use of illegal gear (electrofishing, poison nets), and bottom trawling impacts on ecosystems. Educational initiatives inform fishers and youth about illegal fishing practices that violate regulations, provide training on legal compliance and proper fishing permits and documentation, establish reporting mechanisms for IUU fishing, and educate communities about penalties for unreported fishing and international trade violations (e.g., CITES compliance).”

In the past year, Aquatic Resources Research Institute together with Department of Marine Science, Chulalongkorn University, Thai Island and Sea Nature History Museum, Busrakham Oil (Thailand) Ltd. and Valeura Energy have conducted educational programs for national and local communities on aquaculture and sustainable management of coral reef ecosystems.  During 2023, more 300 students from 6 schools and local children in fishing villages from Sattahip area attended these 7 camps.   During the camps, they also had hands on experiences on how to conduct aquaculture and tourism activities with environmental friendliness for sustainability.  In addition, the lessons and activities at the camps included raising awareness on overfishing and illegal fishing practices, and how the local can involve in monitoring and reporting the illegal activities to the governmental offices.