BACKGROUND:

The coastal regions of Asia-Pacific are facing unprecedented, multidimensional crisis driven by climate change and marine ecosystem degradation. Global mean sea surface temperatures
in this region have risen at a rate of 0.20 – 0.25 °C per decade, exacerbating ocean warming, acidification, and deoxygenation. These climate forcings, compounded by overfishing, coastal pollution, and rapid development, are accelerating ecosystem degradation. Such challenges threaten food security, local livelihoods, and biodiversity, thereby increasing disaster risk for vulnerable coastal communities. Addressing these multifaceted issues requires integrated frameworks that translate empirical scientific insights into actionable societal solutions. To bridge this gap, the Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOP) Thailand network was mobilized and established as a cohesive platform designed to unify emerging researchers and practitioners across diverse oceanographic sectors.

OBJECTIVES:

• Establish the ECOP Thailand network to foster knowledge exchange and collaborative research.
• Build resilience through climate adaptation and ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction (Eco-DRR) initiatives.
• Strengthen science to policy linkages by translating coastal research into actionable recommendations for policymakers.
• Advance ocean literacy and public awareness regarding climate-driven threats, with a particular focus on coral reef conservation and coastal hypoxia.

This poster was presented during the 11th APN Early Career Professional Poster and Networking Session, held alongside the APN 27th Joint Intergovernmental and Scientific Planning Group Meetings on 9 July 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand.