Volunteer Conservation - THAILAND Project Information for Volunteer Conservation in Thailand

Our Volunteer Conservation Project in Thailand

Projects Abroad send volunteers to Thailand's stunning West Coast. Based in the town of Ao Nang in the Krabi Province, volunteers, diving regularly in the Andaman Sea, come into contact with some of the world's most spectacular marine life. The aim of the project is to involve willing volunteers in the preservation of local marine life and biodiversity while giving them the opportunity to experience a new and diverse culture.

Projects Abroad work in partnership with Kontiki Dive Centre which employs fully qualified instructors and dive masters. Kontiki are a 5* PADI dive centre and have been operating in Thailand since 1989.

As well as gaining diving qualifications, and having the opportunity to observe a wide variety of marine life including turtles, rays, reef sharks and countless multicoloured tropical fish, volunteers also learn how to best protect marine life from the dangers of tourism and human negligence.

The role of the Volunteer

Volunteers generally work a five-day week and follow a schedule which varies depending on the time of year, the weather and the number of volunteers. Projects Abroad are currently involved in the following projects:

Reef surveys

Volunteers participate in a reef monitoring training programme developed by the Projects Abroad staff in Ao Nang. During this programme they develop their marine life observation skills and buoyancy control, which is essential for working up close to the reef. As they progress, they also collect reef information for the project's database, with the aim of monitoring the general health of the reefs from season to season.

Additionally, once volunteer's survey skills are considered satisfactory, they participate in 'Reef Watch'; a worldwide survey system developed to monitor coral reefs around the world. We work on the Green Fins scheme, collecting information from the reefs to go into a global database which is used across the world by experts in this field. Tasks include the collecting of information on the development, deterioration and overall condition of coral reefs and fish populations in the area.

Artificial reef monitoring

The popularity of diving in the region has recently led to the creation of four artificial reefs within the local Andaman Sea, in the form of concrete blocks. Remarkably quickly corals, plants and animals attach themselves to the concrete and fish become attracted to the area. We are observing how quickly the areas undergo these changes, and looking into whether there are other sites that would be suitable for reef rehabilitation.

Beach clean-ups

Marine pollution is a worldwide problem as man-made litter is washed down rivers into the seas, where it can then be transported by ocean currents hundreds of miles from its original source. There are a number of beaches on the mainland and the surrounding islands littered with natural and man-made debris which can be harmful to both land and sea creatures. Teams of volunteers work either with the local community and local schools, or independently to clear these areas of rubbish, ensuring that these beautiful beaches remain pristine.

Salvage Diving

It is not only on land that clean-up work is necessary; in the water around the reefs there are large volumes of litter which have been discarded from fishing and diving boats. While diving, small groups of volunteers are regularly involved in the removal of debris from local reefs. Debris often includes damaged fish nets and fish traps which can be highly detrimental to coral and fish populations. Once removed, the waste is then correctly disposed of on land. Both the beach clean-ups and reef salvage work are very satisfying and rewarding activities that allow the volunteers to actively contribute to the preservation of the marine environment and the cleanliness of the local area.

Mangrove monitoring and reforestation

Mangrove forests are one of the most productive and bio diverse wetlands on earth and are a key source of nutrients for the local community and environment. Unfortunately these unique coastal tropical forests are among the most threatened habitats in the world due to man made and natural damage. They may be disappearing more quickly than inland tropical rainforests, and so far, with little public notice. Healthy mangrove forests are key to a healthy marine ecology, providing safe breeding and nursery grounds for a great many marine species that are found on the coral reefs and further out to sea. Additionally, mangrove forests provide a multitude of other important services to the environment and goods to the local communities. So, in conjunction with local officials and communities, Projects Abroad have set up a project to replenish these forests by targeting areas for regeneration, preparing the areas, collecting seeds, developing nurseries of young mangrove saplings and planting them, and then monitoring the progress.

Environmental awareness-raising

In addition to the scientific and practical conservation activities the volunteers carry out, educating the local communities on the importance and fragility of the local reef and mangrove ecosystems is vital. The most effective method of increasing local environmental awareness is by educating children. Consequently, volunteers may take part in presentations and workshops at local schools.