Aow Thai Marine Ecology Center (ATMEC)

About

About Aow Thai Marine Ecology Center (ATMEC)

Our conservation work stretches across an entire archipelago of islands and submerged reefs, many of which are threatened by direct and indirect causes, from unsustainable tourism to a changing climate. We have been invited by policy makers to not only help protect these valuable marine habitats, but to enhance their recovery. Our work in marine conservation has led to hundreds of coral recruits and restored coral fragments, several tonnes of artificial reef and much more. Our work as scientists has furthered our understanding of biodiversity (from sharks to slugs) and the future of coral reefs at a national and international level. Our work in education has given people happy headaches, and we’re okay with that.

Mission

Science for Conservation. Conservation through Education. Education becomes Science.

Vision

ATMEC aims to be a pioneering marine biology field research center and academic institution to support conservation and education in Thailand. Our goal is to be able to encourage independent marine science globally and nationally, and use these scientific advances to improve conservation and sustainable management strategies in Thailand and beyond. We are continuing to work towards empowering under-represented groups in STEM fields in Thailand, including women and young or early-career scientists to give them a stepping stone in the fields of science, conservation and education. Our students (and researchers!) start as early as 14 years old and work alongside us to push towards a more sustainable world. To us, science matters, and facts and evidence should determine action. Misinformation and hearsay have no room in real-world conservation. We hope, by setting an example, others can also normalise science and the scientific method to the general public, so we may all be better informed.

Day in the life

Participants begin their day at 8:30am with a lecture on the relevant biological work for the day, or the team meeting to discuss the day’s activities. Necessary tools and equipment for the day are packed, which range from lift bags to deploy and move artificial reefs, measuring reels and slates for reef monitoring, gloves and cutting tools for removal of marine debris, surface mounted GPS for seafloor exploration surveys and much more. The team leaves the island from the pier by 10:30am, making our way to the site of the first dive. We cook a simple lunch on the boat (or bring our own lunchboxes) and enjoy a lunch together between dives. After any necessary re-evaluation of the team plan the boat heads to the second and sometimes third dive sites. Back to the island between 4-5pm, any necessary data entry required is carried out before dinner and time to relax! In-water work is carried out 3-4 days a week, with a couple of days of land-based work (labwork, other research, making artificial reefs etc.) and Mondays are a day off to explore the many beaches on our tiny island and relax with a good book!

"ATMEC is a unique organization that provides a venue for individuals seeking to build, learn or advance Marine Science interests. " - Andrea Heather Go