Thai Union Group PCL has announced a partnership with the Aerial Recon & Recovery Initiative (ARRI) to use drones and artificial intelligence in the fight against ghost gear, or abandoned fishing equipment, in the waters near Koh Phangan, southern Thailand. This initiative is part of Thai Union’s SeaChange 2030 strategy, which aims to divert 1,500 tons of ocean-bound plastic by 2030.
The collaboration will see drones equipped with cameras scanning 12 square kilometers of coastal waters around Koh Phangan. The images collected will be analyzed by ARRI’s AI system, trained specifically to identify ghost gear. The goal is to recover at least 3,000 kilograms of debris during the six-month project. Recovered materials will be weighed, sorted, and upcycled to support a circular economy and help restore marine habitats.
Adam Brennan, Chief Sustainability & Communications Officer at Thai Union, stated: “The scale of ocean plastic pollution demands fresh thinking. By combining ARRI’s cutting-edge drone and AI technology with Thai Union’s sustainability expertise, we’re taking direct action to remove one of the ocean’s most persistent threats, and setting a new standard for how innovation and collaboration can restore ocean health.”
Dr. Tania Kanchanarak, Director and co-founder of ARRI, said: “Our technology allows us to scan large areas of ocean quickly and with incredible accuracy, enabling our teams to target recovery efforts where they will have the most impact. Partnering with Thai Union means we can scale this work, engage more communities, and create long-term solutions to the ghost gear crisis.”
The project also includes educational outreach with local fishers on how to prevent gear loss and properly dispose of damaged equipment before it becomes marine debris. This preventive approach supports Thai Union’s broader mission for healthy oceans that sustain communities.
Thai Union has been involved in several other initiatives targeting plastic pollution. In southern Thailand, it works with Second Life on community-based recycling systems that turn waste into income for island residents. In Bangkok, its partnership with Seven Clean Seas removes floating plastic from the Chao Phraya River before it reaches open sea.
Globally, Thai Union organizes cleanup activities involving employees across multiple continents and participates in alliances such as the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI) and International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) to promote responsible fishing practices.
Brennan added: “The challenge is enormous, but progress comes from partnerships. From drones to AI to river recovery and circular recycling, these collaborations show what’s possible when industry, science and communities work together to tackle ocean plastics.”