Thailand uses 3D-printed shelters to protect seagrass from animals

Thailand is placing young seagrass shoots inside 3D-printed bioplastic shelters to protect them from waves and hungry animals until they root.

The trial is in waters around Koh Lidi in Mu Ko Phetra National Park, Satun Province, where seagrass meadows are vanishing.

Loss of seagrass threatens local fishing communities and Thailand's declining dugong population, which feeds on seagrass.

Researchers from Walailak University and Murdoch University designed a dome-shaped pod with slots for root spread while keeping animals out.

Pods are made of biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) from bacterial fermentation in Western Australia.