Blue Ocean Heritage was a project that began from my fascination with the ocean. In particular, it stemmed from my experiences diving in Thailand and seeing the trash and debris littering the coral reefs I admired. These experiences led my family to develop a habit of removing debris whenever possible, which ultimately provided the foundation for this project and the goals we set for it.
Blue Ocean Heritage is an environmental organization dedicated to promoting ocean cleanup, coral restoration, and safe diving practices. Our projects have been carried out in collaboration with the Thai Ocean Academy, Aow Thai Marine Ecology Center (ATMEC), and Buddy Check Diving Center and have included reef monitoring, artificial reef deployment, and awareness campaigns at the Thailand Dive Expo 2023.
As part of our partnership with ATMEC, I participated in ecological monitoring and data collection in Rayong, conducting underwater visual censuses of indicator species, analyzing coral types, and recording data on reef conditions and environmental factors. Through this fieldwork, I developed technical skills in species identification, marine survey methods, and ecological data analysis, while deepening my understanding of the importance of accurate data in addressing environmental change.
Beyond marine conservation, Blue Ocean Heritage collaborated with Hua Hin Municipality and Chom Dong Villa to support local initiatives to measure students’ carbon footprints. These efforts contributed to Hua Hin receiving the Certificate of Recognition for Clean Air and to Thailand representing it in the ASEAN Environmental Awareness Awards. This experience strengthened my belief in the power of community engagement and scientific collaboration in advancing sustainable environmental stewardship.
Overall, the opportunity to contribute to a broader cause and collaborate with my peers and experts in the field has deepened my admiration for the natural world. The lessons I learned and the experiences I gained through this project are memories I will continue to value.