Phuket – December 6, 2024 – Thai Union Group PCL, the world seafood leader, has continued its efforts to restore marine ecosystems by advancing its Coral Reef Restoration Project at Koh Racha Yai, Phuket. Now in its second year, the project has seen the installation of 109 coral reef restoration structures, designed using cutting-edge SCG 3D printing technology to support coral growth.

The initiative, a part of Thai Union’s SeaChange^® 2030 global sustainability strategy, is being implemented in partnership with SCG, Earth Agenda Foundation, Thailand’s Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, and the Center of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University. Together, the partners are utilizing innovation and shared expertise to address the impacts of climate change on marine life.

Dr. Pinsak Suraswadi, Director-General of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, highlighted the importance of the project in addressing pressing environmental challenges. “Global warming and human activity have caused significant damage to marine ecosystems, resulting in habitat loss, declining marine life, and threats to food security. Projects like this are critical to reversing these trends. In the first year of installations, we saw more than 5 percent of coral larvae attaching to the structures and an increase in fish population - a positive sign of ecosystem recovery.”

Thiraphong Chansiri, CEO of Thai Union Group, said, “At Thai Union, we are committed to restoring and protecting Thailand's natural resources. This project reflects our purpose of promoting “Healthy Living, Healthy Oceans” and aligns with our SeaChange^® 2030 sustainability strategy, which is working towards revitalizing ecosystems and building a sustainable future. We are proud to collaborate with our partners who share this vision.”

Chana Poomee Chief Sustainability Officer at SCG , said, “SCG has introduced 3D printing technology that uses environmentally friendly mortar to create coral larvae settlement substrates that blend naturally with the environment. This technology enhances coral larvae attachment and growth, supporting marine resources. Beyond innovation, we aim to make coral reef restoration efforts more accessible to the private sector and the public.”

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nantarika Chansue, Chair of the Earth Agenda Foundation, said, “Coral reefs, which support 25 percent of all marine species, are rapidly deteriorating due to climate change and human activity. Restoration efforts like this one are essential for preserving biodiversity and reviving marine life. After conducting a joint survey with Thai Union and the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, the results were encouraging, showing significant coral growth and the attachment of approximately 11 types of organisms, including coral larvae, to the coral reef structures. These outcomes are key to maintaining a balance and thriving marine ecosystem.”

Thai Union has committed to supporting the Coral Reef Restoration Project in Koh Racha Yai, Phuket, for three years, with a total of 210 coral reef restoration structures to be installed.

###

About Thai Union

Thai Union Group PCL is the world's seafood leader, bringing high quality, healthy, tasty and innovative seafood products to customers across the world for 47 years.

Today, Thai Union is regarded as one of the world's leading seafood producers and is one of the largest producers of shelf-stable tuna products with annual sales exceeding THB 136.2 billion (US$ 3,912 billion) and a global workforce of more than 44,000 people who are dedicated to pioneering sustainable, innovative seafood products.

The Company’s global brand portfolio includes market-leading international brands such as Chicken of the Sea, John West, Petit Navire, Parmentier, Mareblu, King Oscar, Hawesta, and Rügen Fisch, Thai-leading brands SEALECT, Fisho, Qfresh, Monori, OMG Meat, Bellotta and Marvo, and ingredient and supplement brands UniQ^®BONE, UniQ^®DHA and ZEAvita.

With a commitment to “Healthy Living, Healthy Oceans,” Thai Union is proud to be a member of the United Nations Global Compact, a founding participating company of the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF), and current Chair of Seafood Business for Ocean Stewardship (SeaBOS).

Thai Union's ongoing leadership in sustainability has been taken to the next level with the announcement of SeaChange^® 2030, the Company’s expanded sustainability strategy with more ambitious goals for people and planet. Through SeaChange^®, the Company was recognized and listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) for the 10th consecutive year in 2023, ranked number one on the Seafood Stewardship Index (SSI) for the third consecutive time, listed in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2024, achieved a B rating from global environmental disclosure non-profit CDP, and was also named to the FTSE4Good Emerging Index for the ninth straight year in 2024. Find out more about the Group’s sustainability strategy at https://www.seachangesustainability.org/