World Oceans Day, observed annually by the United Nations on June 8, is an international day of remembrance that celebrates the oceans and raises global awareness about the impact of human activity on the seas. The oceans play a vital role: they produce at least 50% of the world's oxygen, provide habitat for the Earth's biodiversity, and serve as an important food source for more than a billion people. Humanity is taking more from the oceans than they can regenerate, threatening fish stocks and coral reefs. But our daily actions can help preserve this vital habitat.

Throughout Thailand, numerous nature conservation and preservation projects contribute to cleaning up our oceans and protecting the habitats of our diverse marine fauna.

Thailand is contributing to ocean conservation through projects like the Phuket Save the Sea Project. At Kata Beach in Phuket, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Phuket office is collaborating with local private and public organizations, dive centers, and artists to organize an underwater cleanup dive!

Diving saves hundreds of marine animals by removing trash from the ocean. This trash mostly comes from everyday life and is thrown into rivers and eventually into the sea. Sea turtles and fish often mistake it for prey. By sorting the trash and cleaning the ocean, we protect its inhabitants.

As part of the Phuket project "Save the Sea," dive centers and project managers meet with volunteers on the beach to get equipped and collect trash together free of charge. Diving is very popular throughout Thailand – not only to explore the underwater world, but also to contribute to the protection and preservation of the environment! The project also raises awareness within the tourism industry and among younger generations about the importance of marine conservation.

After each beach cleanup, everyone is invited to create beautiful works of art from the collected trash at the beach festival. Visitors, locals, and volunteers work together to create something beautiful from plastic and other marine debris.

Sea turtles are among the many species worldwide threatened by marine debris. The leatherback turtle is considered endangered in Thailand, yet more nests have recently been counted than in decades. At Kata Beach in Phuket, the leatherback turtles have returned to nest due to the calmer conditions on the beaches. The turtles now feel encouraged to approach the shore and lay their eggs.

Other marine conservation projects in Thailand

COREsea

COREsea is a marine research and conservation program operating across Southeast Asia. Through conservation, research, and education, the program helps raise awareness about marine protection. COREsea conducts its own research projects and experiments from a field station in the southern Gulf of Thailand off Koh Phangan. The team utilizes research vessels, diving equipment, and accommodations for guests who wish to experience the program's work and learn more. Find out more about COREsea here!

POD volunteer

As a marine conservation project in Thailand, POD Volunteer supports initiatives to protect and research the marine environment on the island of Koh Tao. This ethically operating non-profit organization invites people worldwide to participate in its research projects, care for coral reefs, and advocate for their restoration and protection. If you are interested in joining POD Volunteer, apply on their website!

Open Mind Projects

Open Mind Projects is a marine conservation and diving volunteer center in Thailand. Working in partnership with Thai marine research centers, volunteers dive along the Andaman coast to monitor the health of coral reefs, fish species, and sea turtles, and to restore beaches, mangroves, and the seabed. The program focuses on marine life and the threats it faces daily, such as overdevelopment, mass tourism, and climate change. To join the dive team, visit the website.

Sea Turtle Conservation Center, Royal Thai Navy

Established as a sea turtle conservation and breeding center that also educates the public, the program was initiated by Queen Sirikit and falls under the jurisdiction of the Air and Coastal Defense Command in the Sattahip District of Chonburi. Visitors can learn everything they need to know about the life cycle and conservation of sea turtles. The center also releases the hatchlings back into the ocean! More information about the center can be found here.

Help save the ocean!

On World Oceans Day, we encourage you to find ways to protect the oceans. You don't have to be a diver to help save the seas. You can also help by cleaning up beaches and your surroundings, or by reusing and recycling at home!