KRABI Maya Bay’s ongoing ecological recovery reached a new milestone on July 3, 2025, when researchers recorded 158 blacktip reef sharks in a single survey the highest count ever documented in one day in the area.
The discovery was part of the “Shark Watch Project” conducted by the Marine National Park Study and Research Center 3 (Trang), which carried out the survey between July 2 and 8 in Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, Krabi Province. The research utilized both aerial drone photography and underwater baited remote underwater video systems (BRUVs) to observe shark behavior and count individuals.
Researchers confirmed that the peak moment occurred on the morning of July 3, when 158 blacktip reef sharks (Carcharhinus melanopterus) were seen swimming in Maya Bay. The species, considered an apex predator in the region’s ecosystem, is a strong indicator of environmental health.
“This result confirms that Maya Bay continues to serve as a viable and thriving habitat,” the research team stated. The presence of the sharks signals successful restoration efforts and suggests that the marine ecosystem is regaining balance following years of environmental pressure.
The data collected will be analyzed to better understand the sharks’ behavior, movement, and habitat use. Officials say these insights will help guide long-term conservation strategies, inform marine park management, and shape future eco-tourism policies.
Maya Bay was temporarily closed to tourism in 2018 due to the effects of overuse, including coral degradation and habitat loss. Since then, limited re-openings and sustained conservation programs have aimed to rehabilitate the area. The latest findings offer evidence that those efforts are producing tangible ecological benefits.
