THA SALA, THAILAND, 12 October 2023 - Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), through the School of Distance Education (PPPJJ) has visited a restoration and research centre of Blue Swimming Crab (BSC) known as Crab Bank in Nai Thung Fisherman Village in Tha Sala District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Thailand.

This visit was conducted together with the USM-WU Mobility Programme: Collaborative Actions for a Sustainable Tomorrow held in Walailak University (WU) from 9 to 13 October 2023.

18 participants were involved and were given a briefing on the Crab Bank project led by Assistant Professor Dr. Amonsak Sawusdee. During the visit, participants took part in the release of 5 batches, consisting of approximately 5 millions baby crabs or 'zoes' into the sea.

"The BSC species is one of the species that contribute to fisheries industry in Thailand, with Thailand being the fifth largest exporter of BSC worldwide," said Amonsak during the interview after the briefing.

In 1999, 20,000 metric tonne productions of BSC were recorded and which then decreased to 10,000 metric tonne in 2015. The size of an adult female crab has also decreased from 14 cm to 9 cm ever since.

"The initiative to conduct research and restore the species has been done through community engagement projects with fishing communities around Nakhon Si Thammarat and Surat Thani provinces, together with other stakeholders.

To date, 84 Crab Banks have been established and 20,000 gravid female crabs have been caught. The newly-hatched baby crabs or 'zoes' were then released into the sea.

"This initiative has improved the production of BSC from 8 kgs in 2 to 3 days catch duration to 15 kgs in 1 to 2 days catch duration per each fishing boat. The catches are marketed online or sold during food festivals and such. The locals produced merchandise such as bags, caps and t-shirts to promote, as well as to educate the communities about this project," he added.

This community engagement project is one of the most successful community projects led by Walailak University, and covered 5 SDGs which are 'Life Below Water', 'Decent Work and Economic Growth', 'Zero Hunger', 'No Poverty' and 'Partnerships for the Goals'.

The aim is to provide the locals with the knowledge and guidance, which would allow them to sustain the project independently. Significantly, this would also benefit the local communities to improve their household income, to preserve and restore the environment and educate them to become knowledgeable fishermen.

Text & Photos: Nazira Zainal Abidin & Nor Rafizah Hj. Md. Zain