A southern province of Thailand situated in the marine ecosystems of the Andaman Sea, Ranong is regarded as one of the province being rich in marine species. Annual catch is estimated at 60,000 tons ,worth of Baht: 10,000. Even as one part of land in Ranong Province was promulgated to be one of the UNESCO biosphere reserve, there has been no substantial conservation measures for the surrounding area. Ao Jark Bay- Ao Thung Na Dam Bay ?the marine ecosystems in project location - have been under mounting threats. Especially, the interrelated habitats of mangrove and sea-grass , as well as endemic species, have been severely affected by destructive fishing practice of push and drag net. The practice directly affects majority of target population who do not possess and use such highly destructive fishing equipment. Another eminent threat is ?ignorance? mingling with inappropriate or lack of consistent management.

Building capacity of the target communities will contribute to establishing conservation mechanism ,reversing the threat , eventually triggering the cessation of destructive fishing equipment, and returning of the rare species.

Project participants and/or beneficiaries:

1.Community members of the 12 target villages are primary beneficiaries and project participants.
2.Other participating organizations:
- Laemson National Park, Mu Koh Phayom National Park,Muangklang Wildlife Sanctuary
- Ranong Marine Fishery Station
- Ranong Community Radio
- RAnong Provincial Office

Activities to be carried out under project:

1.Launching seminars, workshop, study tours and training on relevant issues on both villages and tambol scale
2.Conducting resources inventories and demarcating conservation zones for sea-grass , mangrove and shallow-water coral reef
3. Launching capacity-building activities on conservation of sea- grass and assembling of natural resources relief maps
4.Launching seminar and workshop with local administrative organizations, teachers groups
5. Campaigning together with other networks member in the province during annual festivals
6. Publishing and distributing dissemination materials

Anticpated results/immediate outputs:

1.Emergence of natural resources management networks at both community level and provincial level with clear management modality
2. Compilation of knowledge and lessons learnt acceptable by public
3. Emergence of the followings:
-community surveillance measure on natural resources
-conservation area of sea-grass for 480 ha
-community mangrove for 640 ha in six communities
-conservation area along the coast for 1,600 ha
4. Reduction of destructive fishing equipment by 50 %
5. Evinced increase of rare marine species
6. Emergence of the followings:
- master plans for managing natural resources at tambol and provincial level
- local curriculum on management of coastal and other area natural resources
- coordination mechanism for various major stakeholders
7. Evinced reduction of severity of conflict of natural resources use