The Challenge of Fisheries Management in Thailand, a Case Study of Closed Areas and Season in Prachub Khirikhan, Chumphon and Surat Thani Provinces

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1 The Challenge of Fisheries Management in Thailand, a Case Study of Closed Areas and Season in Prachub Khirikhan, Chumphon and Surat Thani Provinces BY Nopparat Nasuchon Department of Fisheries, Thailand

2 Critical area

3 The Challenge of Fisheries Management in Thailand, a Case Study of Closed Areas and Season in Prachub Khirikhan, Chumphon and Surat Thani Provinces 1953 Establishment of a spawning season closure for Indo-Pacific mackerel (1 st April-31 st May) prohibition of purse seine fishing

4 The Challenge of Fisheries Management in Thailand, a Case Study of Closed Areas and Season in Prachub Khirikhan, Chumphon and Surat Thani Provinces In 1957, first established a research team to study biology of the Indo-Pacific mackerel. Led to change in 1959 of spawning closure area and duration (1 st January 30 th April) - Purse seine and gill net were prohibited

5 The Challenge of Fisheries Management in Thailand, a Case Study of Closed Areas and Season in Prachub Khirikhan, Chumphon and Surat Thani Provinces Focus on larval fish Establishment of specific spawning (1 st January-31 st March) and nursery closures (15 th April-14 th June) in 1962 Purse seine and gill nets prohibited during spawning closure Encircling gill nets could be used during nursery closure if mesh size >4.7cm. Purse seine fishing was prohibited.

6 The Challenge of Fisheries Management in Thailand, a Case Study of Closed Areas and Season in Prachub Khirikhan, Chumphon and Surat Thani Provinces Over-fishing of demersal resources led trawl fishers to modify their gears and practices to target pelagic species List of prohibited fishing gear was extended to include trawling during the periods 1 st Feb-31 st Mar Rapid increase in the use of light luring purse seines led to the ban of this practice and extension of nursery closure from 15 April to 14 th July

7 The migratory route of tagged Indo-Pacific mackerel (Rastrelliger neglectus) in the Gulf of Thailand (Somjaiwong and Chullasorn 1974).

8 Life cycle of Indo-Pacific mackerel (Rastrelliger brachysoma/neglectus) in the Gulf of Thailand (courtesy of the Marine Fisheries Division) Life cycle of the Indo-Pacific mackerel in the Gulf of Thailand (courtesy of the Marine Fisheries Division)

9 The Challenge of Fisheries Management in Thailand, a Case Study of Closed Areas and Season in Prachub Khirikhan, Chumphon and Surat Thani Provinces Identification of importance of the site to other species 1983 Notification extended closures to multiple species led to large protests by fishers Negotiations between Department of Fisheries and fishermen led to the area of the site being reduced (50,000 sq. km) and duration of spawning and nursery closures were reduced areas managed for multiple species

10 The Challenge of Fisheries Management in Thailand, a Case Study of Closed Areas and Season in Prachub Khirikhan, Chumphon and Surat Thani Provinces Anchovy purse seine fishing permitted in area for 6 years Conflicts between fishers using anchovy purse seines and other gears Rapid increase in the use of encircling gill net, mesh size >4.7 cm

11 Mackerel gill net boats sizes Large-size of fishing boats

12 Mackerel gill net boats sizes Medium-size of fishing boats

13 Mackerel gill net boats sizes Long-tail fishing boats

14 The Challenge of Fisheries Management in Thailand, a Case Study of Closed Areas and Season in Prachub Khirikhan, Chumphon and Surat Thani Provinces The target species is Indo Pacific Mackerel

15 The Challenge of Fisheries Management in Thailand, a Case Study of Closed Areas and Season in Prachub Khirikhan, Chumphon and Surat Thani Provinces Stakeholder Consultations

16 The Challenge of Fisheries Management in Thailand, a Case Study of Closed Areas and Season in Prachub Khirikhan, Chumphon and Surat Thani Provinces Latest notification effective on 20 January To add more descriptions of mackerel gill net to limited: - size of net is not longer than 4,000 m If net is longer than 4000 m can not use haul up and can only operate between 15 April -15 May - size of boat is not longer than14 m.

17 What has happen after opening an area? before mid-night on 15 May

18 The Challenge of Fisheries Management in Thailand, a Case Study of Closed Areas and Season in Prachub Khirikhan, Chumphon and Surat Thani Provinces Recent challenges Pressure from fishers to reduce the area of the site by 3,000 sq.km in the Chumphon area are ongoing. Implementing negotiations and studying all technical data is critical

19 Conclusions/Recommendation Thailand amended the notification for conservation marine resources 9 times, which was based on technical data and fishers economic reports Thai fishers always increase the capacity of gear and adapt gears to avoid and circumvent fisheries law Thai fishers always petition to the DOF to reduce the areas and allow some gear operations in that area Thai governments lack of control on fishing boats which operate on board without a license DOF should continue closing the area one/two months to help in the conservation of young fish but decrease area size and protect it from gears that use small size mesh net

20 Thank you