* All numbers reflect monitoring and project activity recorded in 2025.
Our Active Marine Conservation Research Projects
At Black Turtle Conservation, research is not a separate activity — it’s the foundation behind everything we do.
Every monitoring dive, every survey, and every conservation program we run is built around one core goal: collecting consistent, meaningful data that supports real marine conservation work.
From species monitoring to restoration trials, we focus on practical field methods, structured data collection, and long-term impact — all based here in Koh Tao.
Sea Slug Biodiversity Research
Our sea slug monitoring focuses on biodiversity documentation, helping us better understand reef and muck environments through systematic, non-invasive surveys.
This project supports long-term reef biodiversity tracking and contributes to a growing dataset of species presence across multiple sites around Koh Tao.
Key numbers (2026):
- 1,355 sea slug records documented
- 38 different species identified
- Surveys conducted across multiple dive sites
- Non-invasive biodiversity monitoring
Coral Restoration & Monitoring
Our coral restoration work is designed as a research project rather than a simple restoration activity.
By testing different coral genera, attachment methods, and substrates — and monitoring fragments monthly — we aim to improve survival, health, growth, and long-term stability in future restoration efforts.
This approach allows us to refine our restoration methods through evidence, not assumptions, and continuously improve the effectiveness of our work.
Key numbers (2026):
- 432 coral fragments transplanted as part of controlled experiments
- 5 coral genera included
- 4 attachment methods tested and randomized
- Monthly monitoring of health, growth, and stability
- Citizen science involvement through Conservation Divemasters
Shark Monitoring & Nursery Comparison Study
Our shark monitoring project is a collaborative comparative study designed to assess the potential impact of tourism on shark nursery areas, working alongside other conservation projects on the island. By comparing a tourism-heavy site with a protected, non-tourism site, we aim to better understand how human pressure may influence shark presence, behaviour, and long-term nursery use.
Key numbers (2026):
- 144 shark sightings recorded
- 2 shark nursery sites compared
- Tourism vs non-tourism site
- Non-invasive, observational research
Sea Turtle Monitoring
Our sea turtle work focuses on systematic, non-invasive monitoring rather than intervention.
Sightings are recorded during surveys and dives and shared with the wider Koh Tao sea turtle database to support island-wide monitoring efforts. This helps build long-term knowledge about resident turtles, site use, and population patterns across Koh Tao.
Key numbers (2026):
- 73 turtle sightings recorded
- 35 individually identified turtles (based on repeated sightings)
- Multiple reef sites monitored
- Non-invasive monitoring
- Data contributed to the wider Koh Tao turtle database
Marine Pollution Monitoring & Beach Cleanups
Our marine pollution work is built around consistent, measurable data collection — not just cleanup action.
During our weekly 2025 beach cleanups, we recorded 12,398 debris items, totaling 248 kilograms of waste, all classified by material type. This helps us track pollution trends over time and understand what types of debris are most common around the island.
Key numbers (2026):
- 4,654 plastic items recorded
- 3,582 cigarette butts collected
- 2,784 pieces of polystyrene documented
- 700 glass items removed
- 389 metal objects collected
Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (COTS) Monitoring
Our Crown-of-Thorns starfish work combines systematic monitoring with targeted removal when necessary. Sightings are recorded during reef surveys to understand distribution and pressure on coral communities.
Removals are carried out selectively at priority sites, following established protocols, with the aim of reducing localized stress on vulnerable coral areas while maintaining a data-driven management approach.
Key numbers (2026):
- 144 COTS sightings recorded
- 31 Crown-of-Thorns starfish removed
- Sightings documented during structured reef surveys
- Removals focused on priority coral areas
- Non-invasive monitoring, with targeted intervention only when necessary
Research is woven into every program
Our training pathways are designed to take divers beyond “learning about the ocean” and into understanding how to monitor it.
Across our programs, you’ll build skills in:
- underwater data collection and survey methodology
- species identification with ecological context
- observation and monitoring techniques used in real projects
- debriefing and interpretation (turning sightings into insights)
This is what makes our conservation training different: you don’t just participate — you contribute with purpose.
Research support for university students
We also support university students who want to complete field research in Koh Tao as part of a thesis or academic project.
Our role is to provide local logistical support and a conservation environment where data collection is already structured into ongoing monitoring systems.
If you’re a student or supervisor looking to explore research opportunities in Koh Tao, contact us to discuss what support is possible based on your project goals.
COLLABORATE WITH US: VISITING SCIENTISTS & RESEARCH PARTNERS
If you are a marine scientist, researcher, PhD, or working on any ocean-related project and would like to collaborate with us in Koh Tao, we’d love to hear from you. We’re open to hosting visiting researchers who want to carry out part of their fieldwork locally, but also to creating meaningful knowledge exchange through workshops, talks, and training sessions for our students and conservation team.
If you’re interested in sharing your expertise, methods, or research outcomes with our community while connecting with an active conservation hub, please contact us — we’re always happy to explore new scientific collaborations.
Our students with Dr. Le Qin Choo (Hong Kong) conducting a sea urchin dissection workshop.
Our team with Dr. Bráulio Almeida Santos (Brazil), delivering a data collection and analysis workshop.