WWF Thailand, under the MA‑RE‑DESIGN Project, in collaboration with network partners, organised the activity “The Second Gathering for Marine Conservation” to conduct a marine debris clean‑up at Koh Kradan, Phangka Bay area, Koh Libong Subdistrict, Kantang District, Trang Province.
On 25 April 2026, Mr. Eknarin Ariyavongvivat, Marine and Coastal Conservation Program Lead at WWF Thailand, under the MA‑RE‑DESIGN Project, participated in and supported the activity. The opening ceremony was presided over by Mr. Songklod Sawangwong, Governor of Trang Province. The event brought together more than 200 participants from various sectors.
As a result of the activity, a total of 2,101 kilograms of marine debris was collected. All waste was categorised and recorded using the International Coastal Cleanup Thailand Data Card, serving as a data foundation for future marine debris planning and management. The majority of the debris collected consisted of plastic beverage bottles (820 kg), footwear (744 kg), foam fragments (525 kg), and plastic containers (12 kg).
This activity went beyond beach clean‑up efforts by emphasising proper onshore waste separation and management processes, alongside raising awareness of the impacts of plastic waste on marine ecosystems, human health, and the broader environment. Furthermore, the event highlighted the collective power of collaboration among all sectors, including government agencies, private sector entities, urban and coastal communities, and volunteer networks in driving concrete and sustainable solutions to marine debris challenges.
