COCC leads Thailand Ocean Week 2026 beach clean-up to tackle marine litter

June 13, 2026

COCC leads Thailand Ocean Week 2026 beach clean-up to tackle marine litter

On 11 June 2026, Coastal Oceanography and Climate Change Research Center (COCC), in collaboration with the Khao Pa Chang–Laem Kham Non-Hunting Area and local conservation volunteers, organized a beach clean-up activity at Koh Kham Beach in Thepha District, Songkhla Province, as part of Thailand Ocean Week 2026.

Working together along the coastline, participants collected a wide range of marine debris to help improve the condition of the beach and better understand the types of waste affecting coastal environments. The clean-up also served as an opportunity to raise awareness of the growing challenge of marine litter and its impact on marine ecosystems.

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The collected debris consisted mainly of consumer waste, including plastic straws, cups, food packaging, and other single-use items, which accounted for 30% of the total waste. Plastic bottles, foam waste, and abandoned fishing gear such as ropes, nets, and buoys each represented 20%, while glass bottles accounted for the remaining 10%. The team also observed large entangled fishing nets and ropes at the site that could not be safely removed during the activity.

The results illustrate that marine litter continues to be driven largely by human activities and remains a persistent threat to coastal and marine environments. Plastic waste and abandoned fishing gear can harm marine organisms, degrade coastal habitats, and persist in the environment for many years if not properly managed.

The beach clean-up highlighted the importance of preventing waste before it reaches the ocean and demonstrated how collaboration among research organizations, local authorities, and community volunteers can contribute to healthier coastal ecosystems. Activities such as these play an important role in promoting environmental stewardship and supporting the long-term conservation of Thailand’s marine and coastal resources.