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Maya Bay Recovers with Record Blacktip Reef Shark Population

Maya Bay Recovers with Record Blacktip Reef Shark Population

Matichon•General•18m ago

Reader Briefing

A marine survey at Maya Bay in September 2026 recorded a historic high of 278 adult blacktip reef sharks.

  • •A survey conducted by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation in September 2026 found 278 adult blacktip reef sharks at Maya Bay.
  • •The record number of sharks was observed on the early morning of September 2, 2026.
  • •The survey took place during the bay closure period from August 1 to September 30, 2026.
  • •The findings indicate the success of conservation management and the recovery of the marine ecosystem.

Overview

  • •Maya Bay was closed for natural recovery from August 1 to September 30, 2026.
  • •A maximum of 278 adult blacktip reef sharks were detected near the beach on the morning of September 2, 2026.
  • •The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation used drones, BRUVS cameras, and water quality tests to conduct the survey.
  • •Drone surveys showed an average of 251.67 ± 22.91 sharks in the early morning and 57.25 ± 15.42 sharks in the evening.
  • •Water quality measurements showed an average temperature of 30.25 degrees Celsius and average salinity of 33.10 ppt.
  • •Jinda Srisuppatpong stated that the high number of blacktip reef sharks is a key indicator of the abundance and safety of the marine ecosystem in Maya Bay.
  • •The annual bay closure reduced tourism disturbances, allowing rare marine animals to use the area for living and potentially breeding.
  • •The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation plans to use the data to manage tourism zones and monitor blacktip reef shark populations long-term.

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Source: Matichon (Original)

Key Entities

Organization

Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation(กรมอุทยานแห่งชาติ สัตว์ป่า และพันธุ์พืช)ℹ️
The government agency responsible for conducting the marine resource survey and managing the conservation area.
Marine National Park Study and Research Center 3 (Trang)(ศูนย์ศึกษาและวิจัยอุทยานแห่งชาติทางทะเลที่ 3 (ตรัง))
The entity that collaborated on the marine resource survey and provided imagery.
Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park(อุทยานแห่งชาติหาด นพรัตน์ธารา–หมู่เกาะพีพี)ℹ️
The national park authority collaborating on the resource survey at Maya Bay.
National Park Division(กองอุทยานแห่งชาติ)
The division overseeing the Marine National Park Management Division.

Place

Maya Bay(อ่าวมาหยา)ℹ️
A bay in Krabi Province where adult blacktip reef sharks were surveyed during a closure period.
Krabi Province(จังหวัดกระบี่)ℹ️
The province where Maya Bay is located.

Person

Jinda Srisuppatpong(นายจินดา ศรีสุพพัตพงษ์)
Director of the Marine National Park Management Division, National Park Division.