Community Management of Seagrass Conservation Area of Phra Thong Island

 
Floats to demarcate the conservation zone.

Floats to demarcate the conservation zone. © GEF SGP Thailand/ Suwimol Serepaowong, 2012.

Objectives

1) To compile data & information required in establishment of community conserved area, integration of local knowledge and modern knowledge for further use
2) To build technical capacity and conservation awareness in communities on conservation of the two important species, including conservation awareness for students, tourists and volunteers through community e-co tourism
3) To build institutional capacity and skill for community through participatory process to ensure community ownership of local natural resources

Background

Koh Phra Thong Lions Homestay: Lions village is the Tsunami village on Phra Thong Island, surrounded by mangroves and seagrass fields. Previously, several families opened up their homes to Naucrates' volunteers. These families have now come together to form an official homestay group to manage their activities and improve their services.

Target beneficiaries

34 households in Lion Village who earn living through providing general services, small business and fishery-a group of Sea Gypsy, Moklan and marginalized groups included. The per capita income is THB 54,000. 

Outputs

Expected Outputs

 

Main Activities (กิจกรรม)

Main Anticipated Result (ผลที่คาดว่าจะได้รับ)

1. Launching capacity building for communities through meeting, study tour, and workshops

2.Conducting resources inventories RE: quantity consumed, vale, knowledge on seagrass ecology and species therein

3. Demarcating community conserved area followed by launching surveillance

4. Monitoring and collecting data & information on status changes of community conserved area as well as areas outside the CCA

5. Producing training and dissemination materials on protection of ecosystems and CCA, and biological diversity

1. Increased capacity and conservation awareness of 17 community members witnessed by capacity to plan sustainable use of marine species for main users and by collaborating with other communities in Phuket province and relevant units of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources

2. Increased capacity of local tourist guides witnessed through capacity to share knowledge on marine ecosystems, marine resources management with students, volunteers and tourists visiting the location

3. Compilation of resources and knowledge inventory to refer to in further planning (users and seagrass)

4. Established community conservation area of about 22.5 ha with management plan endorsed collectively by communities and concerned agencies

5. The project being incorporated in a district plan for eco-tourism

Accomplishments and challenges

Along the project duration, Baan Lions community members were moving in and out the village all the time because of unsteady livelihood and occupation. The fluctuation of target population resulted in unsteady participation thus planned activity.

Contributions to cross-cutting themes

Climate change

Network for exchanging knowledge and experiences was initiated with an aim to develop the community’s immunity to be prepared for the climate change. 

Lessons Learned

1) A would-be conservation zone should be demarcated with clear boundary to ensure effective oversight
2) Different locations of conservation were not of the same nature, thus different results of conservation effort
3) It would take a long time for the conservation zone to produce optimum results
4) The project referred to community participation as the most important factor leading to success. However, the project regarded that the area for mollusk conservation should be expanded. Another clear factor was proclamation of regulations, i.e. demarcation of zones and conservation signboards

Project Facts

Country

Location

Lion village and Tha Pae Yoi village in Tambon Phra Thong, Kuraburi District, Phangnga Province, a coastal community along the Andaman Sea, whose community members were seriously affected by the Tsunami.

Topic

Duration

19th Jun 2012 to 31st Aug 2013

MFF Grant Amount

289,650 THB

Co-financing Partner

From (งบจาก)

In cash (เงินสด)

In kind (แรงงาน สิ่งของเครื่องใช้ ที่ดิน ฯลฯ)

Rufford Small Grant Foundation

280,000

30,600

Lion village and Tha Pae Yoi village

-

6,000

Kuraburi Tambon Administrative Organisation

-

6,000

Phuket Marine Biological Centre, Department of Marine and Coastal Resources

-

5,000

Phuket Coastal Fisheries Research and Development Centre, Department of Fisheries

-

5,000

Fisheries Technology Transfer and Development Bureau, Department of Fisheries

-

2,000

Total (THB)    

280,000

54,600

Implementing Partner

Mr. Barry Bendell, Project Coordinator, 120/2, Moo 1, Tambon Kura, Kuraburi District, Phang Nga Province, 82150.

Related Publications

Community Management of Seagrass Conservation Area of Phra Thong Island

Author: MFF Thailand

Posted on: 4th Dec 2013

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