Term of Reference
Consultant for monitoring and assessment of the situation of plastic leakage on seagrass beds around Libong island, Trang province
Supervised by Eknarin Ariyavongvivat
Duration: 21 November 2025 – 15 December 2025
1. Background of consultancy assignment
Background
Seagrass meadows are one of the most productive and biodiverse coastal ecosystems that provide critical habitat, feeding grounds and nursery areas for numerous marine species. In Thailand, seagrass beds are distributed along the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand with Libong Island in Trang Province has hosting the largest continuous seagrass meadows in the country. Despite the expansion of mapped seagrass areas from 94,193 rai (2004- 2008) to 160,628 rai (2018- 2020) whereas the health of these habitats has been declining. The proportion of seagrass beds classified as being in good to very good condition dropped from 48% in 2004- 2008 to only 23% in 2020. Degradation is attributed to both natural and human activities such as coastal develop, dredging and pollution. While the Libong Island is home to the largest dugong (Dugong dugon) population in Thailand an estimated at 140- 160 individuals in 2022, representing more than 70% of the national population. depend on seagrass meadows for food and shelter. They are classified as endangered in Thailand under the Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act (1992) and internationally listed under CITES Appendix I, which prohibits trade except for research, education or breeding purposes. while decline of seagrass health has direct consequences for dugongs, reducing available feeding areas and leading to malnutrition or displacement.
Since, the death of “Mariam” a dugong found with plastic in her digestive system, plastic pollution was including of the factor component of marine pollution, which as plastic pollution has become threat to marine ecosystems globally, also included seagrass meadows around Libong island, Thailand. Moreover, Plastics can accumulate in the sediment, entangle marine animals, and be ingested by species such as dugongs, causing injury or death. Around Libong Island, the intersection of declining seagrass health and high human activity including fishing, tourism and local waste management has increased the risk of plastic contamination in these sensitive habitats. The combined stress of habitat degradation and plastic pollution makes monitoring essential to inform conservation strategies, the assessment of plastic leakage in seagrass beds along with the evaluation of seagrass health and distribution were necessary to support evidence-based management and restoration efforts.
2. Objective of the consultancy
The consultant will:
- Conduct the status of dugong populations and the condition of seagrass habitats relation.
- Identify to quality and type plastics that surrounding water or/on seagrass beds (site study)
- Assess the ecological impact of plastic pollution on seagrass habitats.
3. Scope of work
The consultant will conduct monitoring and assessment around Libong Island in Trang Province while focusing on dugong populations, seagrass habitats and plastic pollution.
The scop include:
- Conduct two field surveys to estimate dugong population size and distribution of nine study areas around Libong Island.
- Assess the relationship between dugong presence and seagrass habitat condition including key feeding areas.
- Identify and categorize plastics present in and around seagrass beds.
- Quantify types, abundance, and potential sources of plastic debris in the study area
- Evaluate the impact of plastic pollution on seagrass meadows and associated marine organisms, particularly dugongs.
- Identify areas where plastic pollution poses the greatest ecological risk.
- Provide reporting and recommendations for management and conservation strategies to mitigate plastic pollution and protect dugong habitats and seagrass restoration.
4. Expected deliverables
The consultant shall deliver:
- Dugong population estimates, distribution and main feeding areas.
- Assessment of seagrass habitat condition including density, species composition
- Detailed inventory of plastic pollution in and around seagrass beds include type, abundance and potential sources.
- Photographs of seagrass beds, dugongs and plastic debris in nine study areas.
- Evaluation of the relationship between dugong presence and seagrass habitat condition.
- Assessment of the impact of plastic pollution on seagrass ecosystems and dugongs.
- Identification of areas most at risk from plastic pollution.
- Final Report including methodology, survey results and data analysis
- Recommendations for conservation, mitigation to reduce plastic pollution and support dugong and seagrass conservation.
5. Activities and deliveries
Implementation Timeline (to be completed by 14 December 2025)
| Activities | Deliverables | Timeline |
| 1. Conduct first monitoring surveys for dugong populations, seagrass condition and plastic pollution. | Preliminary field data sheets, observations and photographic records. | 22-25 Nov 2025 |
| 2. Data processing and preliminary analysis from first monitoring, prepare draft summary of findings. | Draft summary of first monitoring results for internal review. | 25–28 Nov 2025 |
| 3. Conduct second monitoring follow-up surveys to confirm trends, update dugong sightings, seagrass condition and plastic pollution data. | Updated field data sheets, photographs, locations and draft comparison with first monitoring. | 4–7 Dec 2025 |
| 4. Submit draft report combining first and second monitoring results for review and comments by supervised | Draft monitoring report submitted for review. | 8-Dec-25 |
| 5. Revise report based on feedback and finalize data analysis | Finalized report and supporting datasets. | 9–12 Dec 2025 |
| 6. Submit comprehensive final report including methodology, survey results, ecological assessment and management recommendations. | Final report including annexes (raw data, survey sheets, photos) submitted to WWF | 15-Dec-25 |
6. Required Profile of the Consultant
The consultant should meet the following qualifications as,
- Master’s degree in marine biology, Environmental Science, Ecology, Conservation Biology or related fields.
- At least 5 years of experience field surveys in marine ecosystem monitoring including seagrass and dugongs.
- Proficiency in marine field survey techniques including population estimation transect surveys and habitat assessment.
- Data analysis and reporting skills include summarizing field data and preparing technical reports.
- Strong understanding of coastal ecosystems, marine biodiversity and conservation
- Familiarity with dugong ecology, seagrass biology and marine pollution impacts around Libong island.
- Able to start work by 16 November 2025 and complete all deliveries by 14 December 2025.
7. Budget
The total consultancy budget is 200,000 THB (Three hundred thousand baht) inclusive of professional fee, proposal submission deadline 21 November 2025. To eknarina@wwf.or.th and tikak@wwf.or.th.
8. Payment schedule
- 100% upon submission and acceptance of the final completion report
