Thailand eShark Update - May 2015
TO VIEW THE FULL REPORT, IMAGES AND GRAPHS, PLEASE VIEW THE UPDATE HERE
Since December 2013 the Thailand eShark Project from Shark Guardian has been the largest and most successful citizen science project in Thailand. This database aims to collect shark or no shark observations by divers, snorkelers or swimmers anytime people are in or near the water and use it for conservation.
In the Thailand eShark Update in March is was shown that we had 9,063 data entires. By the end of May 2015 we had reached over 10,842 entries with 1,779 additional data collections in just 2 months which is amazing! The data also indicates the number of sharks observed in all the data entries is 1,910 sightings of various species. An update on species observed will come soon.
The graph above (VIEW GRAPH HERE) indicates the percentage of shark, ray, turtle, seahorse and garbage (marine Debris) observations within the 10,842 data entries. We will monitor these percentages over the coming years to observe any increases or decreases that may point to where action is needed. By collecting historical data we can also compare data collected now, compared to previous years. However we do need your help and log books to collect the data to do this.
How is the Thailand eShark Project data being used?
The Thailand eShark Project results is used to raise awareness of declining shark populations in Thailand to the general public, Thai government and the Department of Marine Coastal Resources (DMCR) of Thailand. Additionally, to help improve protected marine parks with the aim of creating shark sanctuaries. The identification of shark species and areas is also an important step in determining the best method for recovery and protection.
In September 2015 an honours thesis student based in Canada will evaluate the risk of sharks in Thailand to evaluate the success of existing marine management strategies, and propose changes. The risks will include fishing (artisanal, commercial, recreational), coastal developments and climate change while looking at existing management/policy measures, and what the possibilities could be (considering diving/tourism, etc). This should come together for submission next spring – to be reviewed during April 2016.
Continue to enter your historical, present, and future activities into the eShark database
Historical dive logs provides valuable data for the past which helps to build a platform of information to compare over a long term period. So get your old log books and start entering your data! Record all your dive or snorkel activities in order for us to collect data and use it for shark and marine conservation worldwide.
Step 1: Dive, snorkel and explore the reefs anywhere in the world
Step 2: Log and report your shark observations to the eShark database, even if no sharks were observed!
Step 3: If possible, report all your past dive logs into the eShark database including your shark/ no shark observations
