Marine Endangered Species Research

     The research was conducted through a collaboration between the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Thailand, and the First Institute of Oceanography (FIO), State Oceanic Administration (SOA), People's Republic of China. It was certified as a sub-project under the Tropical Marine Ecosystem Collaborative Study (TiME) from 2012 to 2015. In 2016, it was promoted to be a main project under the China-ASEAN Maritime Cooperation Fund. The research focuses on enhancing the potential of the studies on the status of marine endangered species and their habitats, particular the major population of marine endangered species in Thailand by implementing advance technologies. Relevant activities include, for instance, a study on dolphin population on the Maiton Island using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs); a study on Irrawaddy dolphins in Songkhla Lake; a study on Bryde's whales in the Gulf of Thailand; a study on dugongs and coastal dolphins in Trang Province; a study on Indo Pacific hump-backed dolphins in Khanom Bay, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province; genetic analysis and heavy metal contamination assessment; sea turtles migration; a training program on marine endangered species rescues; and a development of regional marine endangered species database.

Objective

• To investigate biological characteristics of marine endangered species and their ecosystems by implementing relevant technologies.
• To develop knowledge on marine endangered species and to increase the capacity for conservation.
• To improve data and information on the status of marine endangered species, to conduct habitat assessments, and to investigate problems concerning extinction.

Expected benefits

• Enhanced knowledge on marine endangered species management in Thailand and the ASEAN region.
• Establishment of standard procedures concerning marine endangered species by implementing advanced technologies where relevant information is provided for facilitating marine protected areas management as well as rescue centers for marine endangered species.
• Improved capacity of officers on marine endangered species.
• Good collaboration among marine endangered species management networks.