Ranong, Thailand — The ACB, through the ASEAN ENMAPS Project, officially launches its site-level activities in the Ranong Biosphere Reserve (RBR) in Thailand from 6 to 11 October 2025, marking a significant step toward inclusive, science-based marine conservation and sustainable fisheries management in Southeast Asia.
Organised in alignment with project recommendations, the field visit brought together a diverse range of stakeholders, including coastal communities, ethnic groups, women’s organisations, youth, academia, and the private sector, in order to initiate consultations and data collection that will shape the future of marine protection in the region.
Inclusive planning and stakeholder engagement
The Thailand National Steering Committee (NSC) of the ASEAN ENMAPS Project emphasised last June 2025 during the NSC Meeting the importance of meaningful participation, particularly from ethnic groups, women, and youth. Through multi-stakeholder consultations, the project aims to build broad consensus and ensure that site-level plans reflect local priorities and knowledge systems.
A key highlight of the visit was the implementation of the Integrated Stakeholders’ Perception Mapping (ISPM), a methodology successfully piloted in Indonesia. The ISPM is a participatory assessment process that gathers and analyses insights from diverse stakeholder groups to understand their perceptions, attitudes, and priorities related to marine conservation and management within ASEAN ENMAPS sites. Accordingly, the ISPM sessions focus on validating strategic frameworks such as the Strategic Environmental and Social Safeguards Assessment, Grievance Redress Mechanism, Gender Action and Accountability Plan, and Stakeholder Engagement Plan.
Fisheries monitoring and marine corridor mapping
The project team likewise presents findings from connectivity studies that identify potential marine protected area networks and marine corridors. Baseline data collection is initiated for key fisheries species, including fish biomass, species composition, and catch per unit effort, laying the groundwork for long-term monitoring and sustainable resource management.
Knowledge management and capacity building
Local stories and ecological knowledge are also gathered from ethnic groups, youth, women, and fishers to inform the Knowledge Management (KM) Plan. The KM framework and communication platforms are validated to ensure effective dissemination of lessons learned and best practices. Training needs assessments are also conducted, identifying capacity gaps among national park personnel and community groups to guide future capacity-building efforts.
A regional model for conservation
The ASEAN ENMAPS Project in Ranong Biosphere Reserve sets a precedent for participatory conservation planning across Southeast Asia. By integrating scientific research with community-driven insights, the initiative aims to strengthen marine biodiversity, empower local stakeholders, and foster resilient coastal ecosystems.
