Conservation and protection of marine life in fishermen’s villages in Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand

Overview: Conservation and protection of marine life in fishermen’s villages in Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand

The villages in Prachuap Khiri Khan in southern Thailand are inhabited by a community that is engaged in several projects to protect the environment and improve their standard of living. The region hardly receives any tourists. Besides the work in the project this region offers a great opportunity for a cultural exchange with the locals.

Description: Conservation and protection of marine life in fishermen’s villages in Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand

In this program you get the chance to protect and revitalize the environment and nature within four different projects. There are following projects:

Conservation of the Blue Crab

The Blue Crabs live in small waterways, creeks and rivers that flow into the sea. Due to overfishing these creatures are endangered. To help to protect them, you will be responsible to collect the eggs of the crabs as well as releasing the newborn crabs back into nature.

Coral Reef Rehabilitation

Due to incorrect fishing methods (i.e. large deep sea nets at the bottom of the ocean) a huge number of different fish species were decimated and coral reefs destroyed. These fishing methods have been banned for some time, but the coral reefs have already been damaged. To help restoring the coral, divers places dead corals in concrete about 4 meters deep in the ocean. A few month after placing them there, polyps start to live in the corals and create an environment that allows the corals to live again as well as the various fish species. And this is exactly where you come in. You will prepare the concrete with the dead corals and bring them to shallow areas in the sea. Those who already have a diving license can dive in the deeper water and observe the progress of the concrete blocks placed there.

Mangrove Tree Planting

Together with to locals you will plant mangrove trees. For a long time the coast was covered with mangrove forests. However, in the last few years the amount of trees declined due to deforestation. The planting of new trees has a positive effect on the flora and fauna as well as on the surrounding population.

Create environmental awareness

Apart from the practical work in the village, it is also important to create awareness of the issues that are affecting this area to prevent further damage. Together with the locals and teachers, you will teach children at school how to live an environmentally friendly life. To achieve this goal you will do beach cleanings with them, show them how to separate waste and teach them the basic units to create environmental awareness.

Daily schedule:

You will work from Monday to Friday. Your daily schedule will vary depending on the time of the year you will be there and the activities that are particularly important during this time. However, the local coordinator will try to involve you in all projects.