Fishing Capacity Reduction of Trawl and Push Net Fisheries in the Gulf of Thailand

Transcription

1 Reports The Stakeholder Consultation Meetings Fishing Capacity Reduction of Trawl and Push Net Fisheries in the Gulf of Thailand Under the project FAO/GCP/RAS/199/SWE and DOF Pair trawlers in operation Document No. 1 Department of Fisheries, Thailand April, 2008

2 Preface Fishing Capacity Reduction of Trawl and Push Net Fisheries in the Gulf of Thailand Under the project FAO/GCP/RAS/199/SWE and DOF Background The Department of Fisheries has signed agreement in collaborated with FAO through the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives to conduct the project Strengthening the Capacity in Fisheries Information Gathering for Management FAO/GCP/RAS/199/SWE) from Consequently, the Department of Fisheries has also realized the importance of the world agenda on the management of fishing capacity. Further discussion was made among the high senior experts and researchers. Finally DOF decided to apply the funding project to gathering the stakeholder ideas and brainstorms in managing the excess fishing capacity of the trawl and push net fisheries in the Gulf of Thailand as a first priority. Since trawl and push net fisheries are identified as destructive fishing gear to deteriorate demersal resources and bottom bio-diversity. Several research works have been published and indicated that the fishery resources in the Gulf of Thailand have been over exploited especially for the demersal resources. Sea beds and marine ecosystem were also destroyed by bottom fishing activities as well as the number of fishing boats were excessive, the existing numbers were not appropriated to the size of fish stocks. The fishery resource capacity itself could not rebuild to replace the same quantity of annual catch for fishery sustainability. From such collaborated project, The Department of Fisheries has realized those situations and decided to hold the meeting through the stakeholder participation by divided the coastal area of the Gulf of Thailand into 4 zones and assigned the Marine Fishery Research and Development Centers located in these four zones to organize the Meetings. Trawl and push net fisheries were considered as a first priority to reduce the fishing capacity due to its nature of fishing activities. The four zones to be held the Stakeholder Consultation Meetings (SCMs) were categorized by province and responsible area of the research centers as the following: Upper Gulf zone comprises Cholburi, Chacheangsao, Samut Prakarn, Samut Sakorn, Samut Songkhlam and Phetchaburi provinces. Eastern zone comprises Trad, Chantaburi and Rayong provinces. Upper South zone comprises Prachuab Kiri Khan, Chumphon and Surat Thani provinces and Southern zone comprises Nakorn Sri Thammarat, Songkhla and Pattani provinces. The stakeholders were identified from each zone that comprised fisher, fish agent, fishery processor, fishery association both from trawl and push net fisheries as well as small scale fisheries including instructors from universities and fishery colleges. In each Stakeholder Consultation Meeting, DOF has requested ABAC (ABAC Poll Research Team, Assumption University) to make an opinion poll on the fishing capacity reduction of trawl and push net fisheries for additional data presenting to the Meeting to overview the participants of the i

3 meeting at large before consulting them. The Kasetsart University (KU) was also requested by DOF to conduct a research work on socio-economical issues, labor mobility, cost-benefit of the trawl and push net fisheries as well as price of boat and gear estimation to present at the meeting. The presentation of the fishery situation of each zone was also presented by the researcher corresponding to the responsible area; laws and legal for trawl and push net fisheries were also presented. The consultation process after knowing the fishery situation, opinion to reduce fishing capacity, socioeconomic of fishers and etc was made by separating the participants into two groups as trawl and push net groups. The result of each group was presented in the next day plenary meeting for the participants to consensus. The four zone meetings were simultaneously held and finished. The 1 st SCM Upper Gulf zone was organized by the Upper Gulf Marine Fisheries Research and Development Center during August 2005 at Petchaburi province. The 2 nd SCM Eastern Gulf zone was organized by the Eastern Gulf Marine Fisheries Research and Development Center during November 2005 at Rayong province. The 3 rd SCM Upper South zone was organized by the Central Gulf Marine Fisheries Research and Development Center during January 2006 at Surat Thani province. The 4 th SCM Southern Gulf was organized by the Southern Gulf Marine Fisheries Research and Development Center during April 2006 at Songkhla province. After finished the 4 zones SCM, the results were input to the High Senior Consultation Meeting to consider and consult for the update policy and plan of action for the fishing capacity reduction especially for trawl and push net fisheries. The High Senior Consultation meeting was organized during August 2006 and the results were consensus by the participants of the Meeting. The output of the policy and plan of action from the High Senior Consultation Meeting will be publicize distributed through mass media and further submitted to the Director-General of the Department of Fisheries to be considered and will be submitted by DOF to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives for approval to implement. The extension of this project was conducted by requesting the trawl and push net fishers to voluntary quit from trawl and push net fisheries including their needs and alternative jobs after quit from the fisheries. The registration for voluntary quit from trawl and push net fisheries was opened during 1-31 May Objectives The project overall objective is to manage excess fishing capacity. The project is focusing on the Fishing Capacity Reduction of Trawl and Push net Fisheries in the Gulf of Thailand. Consultation Processes The four and high senior consultation meeting processes were included: 1. Identify stakeholder target groups to be invited 2. Separate the coastal area of the Gulf of Thailand into 4 zones 3. Assignment organizer for each zone responsibility 4. Opinion poll from ABAC and presentation to the meeting ii

4 5. Research work on Social-economic issues from KU and presentation to the meeting 6. The Meeting process was assigned into two parts as a plenary and group consultation. The first half day plenary part was provided for presentation of the background and objectives of the meeting and results from ABAC, KU and a Research Center to make the participants known about the fishery situation, social economic and fisher willing to quit or not regarding to the situation of the zone and objective of the meeting. Second part was provided for consultation among stakeholders for trawl and push net groups and the output of the groups were presented at the last day for the meeting to consensus. 7. The two consultation groups as trawl and push net, the chairperson of each group was an instructor from university that located at that zone (neutral person) to conduct the consultation, the DOF officials were facilitators and secretary of each group. 8. Output issues were prioritized and were presented by the chairperson of each group at the plenary session. 9. Results of the four SCMs were presented to High Senior Consultation Meeting to be considered and formulated the policy to manage the excess fishing capacity and plan of action to implement the fishing capacity reduction on trawl and push net fisheries. 10. The National Consultant of the project will summarize the objectives of the project and the plan of action output from the high senior consultation meeting to publicize distribution and submit to the Director-General of the Department of Fisheries. The DG will precede the results to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives for approval. 11. After approval from the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, the DOF as a responsible department should set up a Committee comprising every concerned agency to consider and implement the Plan of Action for the fishing capacity reduction of trawl and push net fisheries in Thailand and may consider and set a plan of action to implement for all types of gear at the same time. Results The result output from each Stakeholder Consultation Meeting and High Senior Consultation Meeting were prepared into two versions documents both in English and Thai as following: 1. Document No. 1 Summary reports: Stakeholder Consultation Meetings from four zones and High Senior Consultation Meetings 2. Document No. 2 Results from ABAC Polls from four zones 3. Document No. 3 Results from KU researches from four zones 4. Document No. 4 Voluntary quit from push net and trawl fisheries in the Gulf of Thailand Future Initiatives 1. Some issues that are considered as issues that can be implemented directly, these issues will be implemented beforehand. 2. Some big issues that can not implemented beforehand and need to provide budget e.g. buyback program will be further developed in detail and set processes by creating a blue iii

5 print for buy back program. DOF should seek for funding agencies to support the country implementation. 3. The output of the project will be disseminated through wider stakeholder all over the country by producing and distributing easy to read and understood documents. 4. The present fisheries and results on the social economic of the trawl and push net fisheries should be in corporate with the future research on the ecosystem based management using EwE software program (Ecopath with Ecosim) to manipulate and simulation for management policy. Since this computer software program is widely accepted and used both in the temperate and tropical zones. Department of Fisheries, Thailand April 2008 iv

6 Document No. 1 (English version) Contents Page Report The First Stakeholder Consultation Meeting Upper Gulf Zone 1 Report The Second Stakeholder Consultation Meeting Eastern Gulf Zone 9 Report The Third Stakeholder Consultation Meeting Upper South Zone 21 Report The 4 th Stakeholder Consultation Meeting Southern Zone 41 Report The High Senior Consultation Meeting Bangkok 60 v

7 Report The First Stakeholder Consultation Meeting Upper Gulf Zone August 2005, Methavalai Hotel, Cha-am Petchaburi province, Thailand The First Stakeholder Consultation Meeting was held during 21 to 23 August 2005 at Methavalai Hotel, Cha-am, Petchaburi province. A total of 65 participants and observers were attended the meeting. The participants and observers comprised 27 fishers and 38 officials. The Deputy Director-General of the Department of Fisheries (Mr. Atit Namasonti) presided the Meeting. The first day of the meeting was assigned to present the background of the project, the objectives and program of the Meeting (Dr. Mala Supongpan, the National Consultant of the Project), the fishery policy and strategy on the trawl and push net fisheries of the Department of Fisheries (Mr. Rangsan Chayakul, the Director of Marine Fisheries and Research Development Bureau). The fishery status in the upper Gulf zone (Mr. Pairochana Saikliang); law and regulation for trawl and push net fisheries (Mr. Sunton Seangvan) were also presented. The results of ABAC poll (Assumption University) and Kasetsart University (KU) surveys were presented by Dr. Nopadol Kanika, Director of ABAC and Dr. Reungrai Tokrisana, Deputy Professor of Department of Economic, Kasetsart University, respectively. The second day of the meeting was assigned to separate the participants into two groups of trawl and push net fisheries to brainstorm, discuss and consult for the reduction of the fishing capacity. The prioritization of the management and implementing issues were also made after finished their discussions. The two groups were chaired by the President of the Fisheries Society of Thailand (Mr. Prasan Silapipat, trawl fishery group) and the instructor from the Burapa University (Dr. Sitthipan Siriratanachai, push net fishery group); and facilitate by the fishery officials. The third day of the meeting was assigned for the presentation of the results by chair person of each group. After agreement of both groups, the meeting was closed by Dr. Somying Piumsomboon, Expert on Fishery Economic. The following is the detail of the Meeting that was divided into trawl fishery and push net fishery: Summary Report for Trawl Fishery Group in the Upper Gulf Zone I. Guideline for the Meeting 1.1 Problem Marine fishery resources decline 1.2 Issues a. Number of fishing boat increase b. Fishing gear increase its efficiency c. Increase in fishing effort d. Conflicts occur among resource users e. Illegal fishing 1

8 1.3 Resolution a. Quota allowance catch b. Licensing fees should increase in reality upon the size and type of fishing gear c. Fishing by zone/area/season should be established d. Strong monitoring/enforcement and promote community-based fisheries management (right-based fisheries) e. Capacity building to reflect the fishery resource is invested capital f. Reduce number of fishing boat 1.4 Implementing program a. Buy-back program (e.g. Establish Government Fund by collecting 1% from exporting value, and etc.) Volunteer to go out the fishery sector Incentive/Alternative job (One who is quit can not return to fish, one who still want to fish has to pay more for license fee) b. Decentralize to local authority in fishery management c. Limit zone for push net/otter board trawl fisheries within 3,000 m from shoreline and beyond 6,000 m zone for pair trawl fishery d. Training course for students to know the concept for fishery management and resource utilization e. Reduction of the fishing boat number scheme should be driven to the country and provincial management strategies 1.5 Prioritization of the Problems a. Most important problem b. Series of problems that can be solved 1.6 Plan of Action Measure Responsible agency Time period II. Results from Trawl Fishery Consultation Group As an agreement of the group, the management and implementation issues that are already prioritized as following: 1. No new wooden fishing boat building for the size of boat with LOA (Length of Overall) more than 14 m; and no wider expansion of the wooden boat with LOA less than 14 m. This is exemption for the existing boat that was damage e.g. sinking, etc. If they are not taking account to this measure, they will be identified as illegal and the boat will be arrested. The 2

9 Thai Fisheries Association will propose this measure to the Department of Fisheries to be considered. 2. Reopen registration for existing fishing boats that still have no registration and no licenses or have licenses but not match to the present types of gear used for a time period. It should have continuously and strong monitoring and enforcing after the registration time is closed. 3. The government should strongly monitor for illegal fishing (e.g. zone of fishing, no license for fishing). 4. Existing law and regulation should be developed and reformed to collaborate with the existing types of fishing gear by the process of stakeholder participatory approach; e.g. enlargement the mesh size for trawler, closed area and season for fishing, limiting number and types of fishing gear etc. 5. Reduction of number of fishing boats by: Buy back scheme a. Buy back only fishing boat and/or fishing boat and gear by volunteer, the fisher should intense their needs to local fishery association or local agricultural group. The Committee that estimate the value of the fishing boat/gear should comprise the Department of Water Transportation and Commercial Navy (Former: Marine Department), Provincial Attorney, Provincial Fishery Official and Local Fisheries Societies that the Governor of that province will be the President of the Committee. b. Provision of fund and budget from: 1). Thai Sea Rehabilitation budget 2). Take the annual budget for petrol boat to pay for buying back fishing boat instead 3). Budget that already approved by the cabinet in the year 1996 for Agricultural Helping Fund and Fisheries Development Fund should be used for buy back program 4). Budget collects from the fishers who still fish to pay to the fishers who volunteer to leave fishery sector. 6. Agencies that can issue the new license for a new boat should be composed of the Provincial Governor, the Chief of District, Department of Water Transportation and Commercial Navy (Former: Marine Department), Provincial Attorney, Provincial Fishery Official, Provincial Industrial Official and Local Fisheries Societies. 7. Training course for alternative jobs should be provided to secure their livelihoods when they are quitted from capture fisheries e.g. aquaculture, fish processing product, other agricultural products. 8. The study on the effect to the boat building yard should be made. Is it possible to shift the career of boat building to boat repairing yard? Advantages in reduction of number of fishing boat a) Reduction for foreign labor b) Reduction for public health works c) Reduction for imported fuel 3

10 III. Summary Report from Push net Fishery Consultation Group in the upper Gulf Zone Over all views 1. Problem Marine resources decline 2. Issue How to sustain the marine resources? 3. Resolution Fishing capacity reduction to optimize the marine resources with no effects to the fishers (labor, number of fishing boats) 4. Implementation How to and what is alternative jobs to secure their livelihoods? Discussion and Summary from the Push net Fishery Consultation Group as follow: Government should ask the fishers to voluntary quit from push net fishery and sell their boats. To quit PN should be borne by volunteer bases not by enforce. The small scale fishers especially for PN point out that they are deeply to be bound by the sea, if they quit how they can do. Most fishers have low education, less experiences and no place to find other jobs apart from capture fishery. Reopen for registration and inspect name list for existing PN should be done again for real situation. Limiting number of boats and do not allow for new entry boat, at last the number of fishing boats will decrease. This can be effectively monitored (where is the referee for the existing number?). Some of fishers are already quit from push net fishery due to high fuel price To date, the fishing cost is high, no benefit, some boats are stop fishing. If they quit PN and have no by back scheme, how they manage for their debt, loan? It is suggest to by back with the present real price. From buy back scheme, the buy back boats should be: a. sold to other foreign countries that needed b. sold to use in the lake c. sold to make artificial reef Apart from buy back program, the fishing boat can be developed into touring boats for Dolphins or for patrol boats Due to the high fuel price nowadays, if the government has clear policy to reduce fishing capacity, it will be easier than the previous time. At present there is no more boat building for PN. The government should find some suitable ways for PN, e.g. buy back/provide alternative jobs and introduce to all PN. The Fisheries Society of Thailand has proposed fishery management to DOF dated 24 December 2004 by using questionnaires distributed through the provincial fishery societies over the country and the results are summarized as the followings: 4

11 Establish buy back program to buy fishing gear (PN), boat and boat registration, the problem of budgetary can be solved by selling or contribution to foreign countries that need the fishing boats. On the other hand, if they can not quit, it would be set a fisher group to freeze the number of fishing boats and manage by the fisher groups within their areas. Government should have management and control measures as a guideline for fishers to manage fisher groups including giving license to the right gear, giving registration to the existing fishing boats, and no license for new entry fishing boats. In Samuth Sakorn Province, most of push netters have no licensed and if they quit from PN fishery, what are the securities for their lives? Shrimp PNs remark that if they quit the shrimp PN, what are the alternative jobs for them? On the other hand if they are still shrimp PN but they will release shrimp fries in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries (DOF) or to conserve the resource in combination. PN in Samuth Sakorn province about 80% earn their living using Sergestic PN that can be fished the whole year but sometime change the fishing gear for shrimp. At Kra Saa Kao District there are about 200 PN reside at the coastal area, these fishers have no licensed land. They have fix income but their expenditure increase yearly that why they have another alternative job e.g. collecting cockle. Provincial arena should be used to solve problems for each area Government should play attention for cost and benefit for local fishery products and promote marketing channel that can be continuously done. Further the fishers and DOF officials can collaborate to work closely together. Legal conflict between the DOF and Water Transportation and Commercial Navy Department (former Marine Department) occurred. DOF issued license for the fishing boat to fish outside 3,000 m from shoreline while Transportation and Commercial Navy Department gave registration for the same boat not to go out beyond 3,000 m for security purposes. How to make friends between DOF officials and fishers to collaborate in fishery management? Water pollution and mangrove devastations are also the main causes to marine resource decline. Recently, the government has policy to modify sea bed property into loaning fund for aquaculture proposes for local fishers. It is a good policy but it will make problems as well. The powerful existing aqua culturists may transfer their property to their relatives that will not fare for other poor fishers. These should be carefully considered by the government side how to make it equity. Buy back program should be volunteered bases, the government should have five year or ten year plan for sources of funding. Sources of funding should be specially provided from annual budgetary through the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives. Otherwise it should be provided by the local authorities e.g. Ao Bo To or Ao Bo Cho of the CEO provincial governor. At present there are no agencies that promote fishery activities in various points of view. 5

12 The government should consider the fair price for fishery products. Subsidies for fuel should be exempted due to increasing fuel price, the budget that uses to subsidize for fuel should be transferred to buy back program. If the fishers can not effort in fishing activities without subsidies, they should be quitted and sell out the fishing boats. Sea water is polluted, bad environment that cause the resource decline hence the fishers have to develop more suitable gear for their living and compete-ness How to control the number of fishing boats in the buy back program not come back again? It is suggested that: a). The government should have some conditions to reopened licensing only for PNs that are already existed. Inspection and control should be collaborated among local agencies/authorities and central government. b). It should open registration for PNs that want to quit. c). It should have strongly and effectively collaborated among concerned agencies to make the buy back program success. d). the DOF should have the program to promote preservation and conservation concepts to resolution for resource overexploitation e.g. release fish and invertebrate fries to enrich the resources, installation of artificial reef to prevent larger trawling activities in near shore, promote aquaculture for cockle or other bivalves. Due to fisher indebt commitments to the yellow fuel filling station, fishers can not request for purple fuel subsidies. The title of this consultation should be better than the present one that entitled Being out of Trawl and Push net Fisheries because it sounds fearsome. The Group has agreed and prioritized for the Management and Implementation Issues as following: 1. Reopen for PN registration; the local communities and DOF should collaborate to inspect name list for existing PN. 2. Limit number of boats and do not allow for new boat building just allow only for repairing. 3. Provide buy back program with voluntary bases and continuously control the number of registered boats. 4. Provincial arena should be used to solve PN problems for each area 5. Driven the resolution of PN problems to be bound in the provincial framework and strategy. 6. Promote and strengthen the community-based fishery management to enrich the resources e.g. fish and invertebrate fries releasing, crab bank and mangrove plantation. 7. Government should ask fishers in each province to voluntary quit from push net fishery and to sell their boats. 8. Provide alternative jobs apart from fishery sectors to secure their livelihood, e.g. training for other jobs, marketing channel for new job products, sources of funding. 6

13 9. Extension for awareness in resource conservation and rehabilitation. 10. Promotion and extension for suitable local species aquaculture, processing products and ecotourism. 11. Promotion and extension for revolving fund to establish central market for community. Related government agencies (e.g. Commercial Ministry) should take care for fish price fairness and the fish price should be related to the market flow. 7

14 Schedule of the First Stakeholder Consultation Meeting Upper Gulf Zone August 2005, Methavalai Hotel, Phetchaburi Province 21 August hr Register Lunch Implementing Working Group Meeting to discuss in detail and prepare for the 1 st SCM meeting Dinner 22 August Opening ceremony - Report (Expert in Fishery Economic-Dr. Somying) - Opening address (Deputy Director-General of DOF) Group Photograph Background information to the Meeting (Dr. Mala) Coffee break Marine fisheries policy (Director, Mar. Fish. Res. and Dev. Buraeu) Trawl gear fisheries status in the upper Gulf area (Mr. Pirochana Saikliang) Laws and related agreement issues (Mr. Suntorn Seangvan) Coffee break Presentation of the results from ABAC Presentation of the results from KU Lunch Brainstorming (separated into 2 groups) -Group 1 Trawl -Group 2 Push net Coffee break Dinner 23 August Result Presentation of Group 1 Result Presentation of Group Coffee break Lunch Discussion and Conclusion Closing by Dr. Somying Back home 8

15 Report The Second Stakeholder Consultation Meeting Eastern Gulf Zone, November 2005, Golden City Hotel, Rayong Province, Thailand Under GCP/RAS/199/SWE Strengthening the Capacity in Fisheries Information Gathering for Management Project A. Opening Session: 1. On behalf of the Rayong Province, Mr. Sanoe Chantra, the Rayong Governor welcomed all participants who came from other provinvces in the Eastern Region to attain this meeting in Rayong. He informed the meeting briefly about agro-industrial commodities in Rayong Province as well as some problems of trawl and push net fisheries that are interested by both of the Department of Fisheries and the FAO. In fact, Rayong Province is a small city but it is famous for industrial estates and agricultural activities, the marine fisheries is however not so prominent in relation to that of Samut Songkram and Samut Sakorn Provinces. About 200,000 Millions Baht were estimated as investment cost for industrial production in Rayong in each year and Rayong people get about 730,000 Baht/person/year. On the other hand, agricultural products as tapioca starch and some fruit items like durians became good export to China, for instance. The fisheries in Rayong still needed to be developed in order to increase the products by means of responsible management for long term utilization. Regarding on tourism, Rayong Province still has a great potential for development as well as investment. He hopes that the tourist numbers should increase to 5,000,000 persons in At the end of his speech, the Governor thanked the organizers for holding the Stake Holder Meeting in Rayong and wished all participants not only healthy and good luck but also could get the best outputs and solutions for sustainable fisheries management. 2. After greeting the President (the Governor) and the Chairperson (the Deputy Director-General of DOF) of the Meeting, the Director of the Marine Fisheries Research and Development Bureau, Mr. Rungsan Chayakul, on behalf of the organizers and participants, gave a short report on fishing conditions of Thailand. The commercial fishing fleets had developed and increased exploitation and destructed on the marine resources especially in the Gulf of Thailand. The fishing capacity increased enormously that caused to the reduction of the resources, yet the catches become non-profit. Thus, Thailand urgently needs to minimize the fishing capacity to the suitable level for the resource condition. This Meeting entitled Reduction of Trawling and Push net Capacities in the Eastern Gulf of Thailand was taking place at Golden City Hotel in Rayong during November This is therefore the second of four meetings which will be held by the Department of Fisheries and the FAO. It is expected to obtain the objectives and output that the meeting should provide open space for discussions, suggestions, opinions and ideas among all stakeholders, fishermen, scientists, 9

16 officials and others who take parts in this Meeting, to get some useful and determinative output for fisheries management namely to reduce trawl and push net fishing boats from the Gulf of Thailand. Finally, the Director invited the Chaiperson of the Meeting to open the Meeting officially. 3. The Deputy Director-General of DOF (the Chairperson of the Meeting), on behave of the Department of Fisheries, Dr. Somying Piumsomboon greeted and thanked the participants for their coming. After performing her appreciation to the Rayong Governor s speech as well as his arrival to the Meeting, she reminded the meeting that such seminar or meeting on reducing the fishing capacity of trawl and push net issue like this one becomes now worldwide. Indeed, this issue has been discussed very often in various places in Thailand for about 20 years. Reduction of fishing capacity is not easy, it will hurt some fishermen when we implement. This Meeting is therefore held to meet a reasonable agreement and negotiation among every participant. It is believed that many of the participants might have known each other quite well through the previous meetings, accordingly. She also hoped that this Meeting will be run smoothly and fruitfully without any stress. It is expected to contribute some advantage results and solutions for fisheries management. Finally, she opened the Meeting. B. Introduction and Orientation Session: 4. The Deputy Director-General of DOF (Dr. Somying Piumsomboon) continued her brief remarks on marine fishery policy. Formerly, Thailand could fish in domestic, neighboring and international waters that brought Thailand a great number of raw material for marine fishery production. Nowadays, neighboring countries such as Cambodia and Vietnam want to keep their own resources rather than allowing Thailand to exploit their resources. On this issue, Thai Government should emphasis on negotiation with the neighboring countries for possible fishery corporation and contracts to fish there, under mutual benefit of the both countries. To access the fisheries in open oceans, Thailand has to develop tuna fishing fleets to compete other countries. For domestic marine fishery policy, we need to use our resources more wisely for fishery sustainability. To reach this objective, three issues that must be considered, (1) the marine fisheries must be ensured by long term and the fishery must be sustainable fishery, (2) there should have neither conflicts nor problems happening among the fishermen and others, then fishing careers must be accepted by other professions, and (3) suitable technology, the fishing gears must be strictly controlled to be responsible or environmentally friendly to protect the resources and their habitats from fishing activities. To enhance the fishing resources, setting of artificial reefs and releasing of young stocks could help the recovery. Control of illegal fishing activities by means of strictly legislation, measurement and reinforcement and reduction of fishing capacity by control and limit the number fishing boats should support fishing resource enhancement, as well. 5. The Director of the Marine Fisheries Research and Development Bureau, Mr. Rungsan Chayakul, presented the Meeting the possible guideline of reducing the numbers of trawl 10

17 and push net fishing boats. After greeting the meeting, he reviewed on fishery development and production of Thailand under the National Social Economic Development Plans (Plan VII- VIII). In those days, Thailand could increase fishery production and profit every year by increasing fishing capacity in both domestic and neighboring waters in terms of increasing boat numbers and catching efficiency. Fishery products of Thailand increased up to 260,000 million tons which cost about 65,000 millions Baht. These were mainly from trawl fisheries. Some factors such as the oil price crisis could prohibit the fishery development. At present, overexploited of fishery resources and excessive number of fishing boats became the major issues of marine fishery management. There were some other existed problems e.g. lack of manpower because of no more profit in fisheries, low price of fishery products such as price of fish mill, oil price, conflicts among fishermen because of competition of fishing grounds and resources, etc. It is believed that if all of these problems were reduced or solved then the resources could be recovered. Reduction of fishing boats like trawls and push nets seem to be most important mechanism, but not easy to practice or implement. However, this Meeting is held with an expected output that some useful and practical ideas or answers could be resolved and how to remove manpower willingly being out of the fishery sectors and how to help those people to support for their alternative jobs. To get the best solution, every concerning agency should cooperate sharing ideas to the Meeting freely. At the end, he wished all participants successful in the Meeting. 6. The Expert on Marine Fisheries, Dr. Mala Supongpan, informed the meeting about the background and the objectives of the Meeting. In the world society, the FAO (Food and Agricultures Organization of the United Nations) takes care of the world population about food and agriculture supply. It is well-known that world capture fishery production reduces while the production from aquaculture is still low and cannot compensate. Due to this trend of the reduction of world fishing resources, FAO asks and supports every country to reduce their fishing capacity. The Department of Fisheries of Thailand had conducted many researches on trawls and push nets for 20 years to prove that the resources became severely destroyed and reduces. In many meeting and workshop, the results were revealed to the fishermen to known the fishery situation and the fishermen themselves known by their own experiences. On this issue, FAO supported some money to four selected countries namely Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Timor Leste to carry on the project GCP/RAS/199/SWE Strengthening the Capacity in Fisheries Information Gathering for Management Project In case of Thailand, the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives is responsible for this project. For Thailand the project was modify to reduce the fishing capacity of trawl and push net in the Gulf of Thailand. With small amount of budget supported by FAO and the Department of fisheries of Thailand, such Meeting was provided for 4 times in 4 zones while the 4 established Marine Fisheries Research and Development Centers were responsible to hold the Meeting for their zones. The first SCM had already held in Cha-am, Petchaburi by the Upper Gulf Research and Development Center, this is the second SCM held in Rayong by 11

18 the Eastern Gulf Fisheries Research and Development Center. The third Seminar will be held on about January in Surat Thani, then the fourth in Songkhla. Unfortunately, there were not enough budgets for holding such a meeting on the Andaman Sea Coast. After finished these four Meetings, a High Senior Meeting will be held on about July-August 2006 in Bangkok, the participants of the meeting will be high senior level from government and private sectors as well as the presidents, chairmen and leaders of the fishery and fishery related sectors. All ideas gathered from the four Meetings will be discussed here as well as resume all of the results. By this Meeting, it is the best chance to gather and pool the ideas and demands from fishermen how to reduce and then how to manage so that the fishermen can live without troubles after quit from their profession. Before the process of brainstorming the participants, the Department of Fisheries, KU and ABAC will present some information on the fishery status, economy and social aspects in fisheries especially for trawl and push net fisheries of that zone to the Meeting. Lastly, invited fishermen who attained this Meeting will receive their allowances and transportation fees at the last day of the Meeting. She also hoped all fishermen should stay until the last sections and get their profit. Finally, the Expert submitted that the Department of Fisheries tries to do the best to help the fishermen and ask for cooperation in sharing their ideas in the Meeting. C. Presentation Session: 7. Laws and Regulations for Trawl and Push Net Fisheries Management Director of License and Fisheries Management Section, Mr Prathet Sor-ruk began his presentation on the new version of Fishery Laws which is going on process, after apologizing the meeting about his mistakes in preparation of his manuscript due to short time. Regarding to the laws and regulations of trawl and push nets, there are a lot of articles concerning such as the Fishery Act 1947, Control of mesh size 1972, Prohibition of Trawl and Push Net Fishing in Chonburi 1975, etc. 8. Trawl and Push Net Fishing Conditions in the Eastern Gulf of Thailand Dr. Anucha Songjitsawat from the Eastern Marine Fisheries Research and Development Center, Rayong reported on background of marine fisheries of Thailand, history of trawl and push net fisheries on fishery development, numbers of fishing boats in the Eastern Gulf of Thailand in 2003, catch and catch composition that were reduced every year. Catches from trawls and push nets comprised mostly trash fish. Excessive fishing capacity caused reduction of fishery resources. Control of fishing effort by means of reducing the number of fishing boats, promote aquaculture, installation of artificial reefs and releasing of young stocks may help to solve the problems of resource declining. 9. Results of the Survey on Attitude on Trawl and Push Net Fisheries Dr. Thanapat Hapipat an instructor from ABAC reported on the results of the Survey on Attitude on Trawl and Push Net Fisheries along the Eastern Gulf of Thailand including 12

19 Chonburi, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat. ABAC Poll had conducted the survey to serve the Department of Fisheries by means of interviewing with questionnaires with 3 groups of samples (1) the ship owners, (2) the crews or employees and (3) the processing business totally 1,005 samples. There were 2 groups of samples who agreed and disagreed with the issue of reduction of fishing capacity. 10. Results of the Socio-economic Studies Dr. Ruengrai Tokrisana an instructor from Kasetsart University, reported on the results of the socio-economic of the trawls and push nets along the Eastern Gulf of Thailand including Chonburi, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat. The samples were classified by sizes of fishing boats and types of gears, otter-board trawls, pair trawls, beam trawls and push nets which range from <14 m, m, m and >25 m respectively, totally 51 samples. By means of interviewing, the results about fishing characteristics, conditions of fishing boats, financial structure, investment and profit, problems, etc were reported. Most of the samples wanted to change their fishing careers to others, but some still had no ideas or unsure to change to alternative jobs. D. Brainstorming Session: The afternoon session was provided for open discussion among the participants. There were two groups of the participants who attain either the trawl fishery group or the push net fishery group, as follow. Trawl Fishery Group There were 18 fishermen, 2 university instructors and 4 officials totally 24 persons participating in the trawl fishing group. Mr. Komdej Ratanaporn-waree-sakul, Leader of Rayong Fisheries Association, was the chairman of the group. Push Net Fishery Group There were 8 fishermen, 4 university instructors and 13 officials totally 25 persons participating in the Push Net Fishing group. Mr. Sittipun Siri-ratanachai, an instructor from Burapha University, was the chairman of the group. The both groups took about 4 hours for discussion on the same topics e.g. the opinion of reducing fishing capacity in terms of reducing numbers of fishing boats and fishing efforts as well, problems and suggested solutions, measures and priority. At the end, the participants of each group had to give scores and order of priority to each issue proposed by them. E. Evaluation & Closing Session Mr. Pot Su-net, Leader of Trat Push Net Fisheries Association, reported the results of discussion in Push Net Fishing Group of the previous day, including problems, proposed solutions, measures to be realized and order and prioritization of issues. Mr. Komdej Ratanaporn-waree-sakul, Leader of Rayong Fisheries Association, reported the results of discussion in Trawl Fishing Group of the previous day including problems, proposed solutions, measures to be realized and order and prioritization of measures. 13

20 After the reports of Discussion had been presented, the Expert on Marine Fisheries, Department of Fisheries, Dr. Mala Supongpan gave an evaluation on outputs of the meeting, future plan and closing remarks, as follow. This Seminar was composed of 66 Participants totally, 30 of which come from Government Agencies, 6 from Universities and 30 from Fisheries Sectors. During the Seminar, the participants have been divided into 2 Groups for Discussions on Trawl and Push Net Fisheries, respectively. There were 24 Participants sitting in the Trawl Fishing Group, namely 4 from Government Agencies, 18 from Fisheries Sectors and 2 from Universities. In the Push Net Fishing Group, there were 25 Participants, namely 13 from Government Agencies, 8 from Fisheries Sectors and 4 from Universities. The 2 Groups had discussed on the issue of reduction of fishing effort on trawl and push net fisheries, respectively. Results from this Meeting are useful for guidelines and measures on trawl and push net fishery policy for sustainable fisheries management. Such a Meeting like this had been first held in the Upper Gulf fishing Area at Cha-am, Petchaburi. Thus, this one was the second held in the Eastern Gulf fishing Area at Rayong. Furthermore, next Seminar is going to be held in Central Gulf fishing Area at Surat Thani and the last in Southern Gulf fishing Area at Songkhla, respectively. After these, a great Meeting will be held to evaluate the results from the four Meetings to guideline and draw out regulations and plans for National Fishery Management Policy. At this moment, the Seminar is closed. Results of the Group Discussion A. Trawl Fishery Group Mr. Komdej Ratanaporn-waree-sakul was elected to be the chairman of the group. 1. Opinions to reduction of fishing capacity 1.1 Solve problems caused by trawls 1.2 Alternative jobs should be available for those who quit from trawl fishery 1.3 Government policy on this issue must be clear and reliable 1.4 Available alternative jobs should be clear and in various variety items. Income should be assured like the tourist fishing boats. 2. Problems 2.1 Decline of fishing resources and trawls exploit a lot of kind of marine species 2.2 At present, many trawls have stopped fishing due to high price of fuel. Then, this brainstorm meeting should cover all concerning problems. 3. Cause of problems - increasing in number of fishing boats 4. Guideline to solve the problems - control and reduce numbers of fishing boats to suit numbers of fishermen and fishing resources could recover - Government sectors should offer alternative jobs for those who want to leave the fishing careers willingly - Government should help for the new jobs by financial support and marketing 14

21 - Resource enhancement should be promoted e.g. installation of artificial reefs The followings are the results from the consultation of the trawl fishery group: Issues contributed by the trawl fishery group to reduce trawling effort in the Eastern Gulf of Thailand 1. Trawl boats should be classified into 4 classes by boat length: less than 14 meters, meters, meters and more than 25 meters, and zone of fishing areas should relate to boat sizes 2. Limitation of the fishing gear designs e.g. mesh size regulation 3. Provinces and Districts should implement and consult to the public for fishery by zone 4. Increase the numbers of artificial reefs both in shallow and deep water areas and the Government should support ferries to transport the concrete blocks 5. Government should buy trawl boats and sink them down to make artificial reefs in certain areas and permit ownership (in certain period of time) to the former boat owners to make their profits by fishing tourism 6. Capitalization of boats for investment in other business, introduce other fishing operations which are not destructive, and introduce for fishing in international waters, tourism and aquaculture 7. Government should license the coastal areas for aquaculture and provide markets to those who have quitted the fishing careers, in this case the destructive gears should be prior considered 8. Government should support financially the fishing fleets for fishing in foreign waters 9. No boat building of more than 14 meters in length and no enlargement of boats which are less than 14 meters within 5 years, except for those which have contacted to fish in other countries. One who is not followed this agreement measure must be punished e.g. the boat will be taken over by the committee that established comprising government agencies and local fishery associations. 10. Increase more areas and seasons for area and season closures by public participatory methods. 15

22 Trawl fisheries group Fishing stakeholder /Fisher Scores and Prioritization University lecturer Government service Other... Give order of priority to these following items (1= First priority) Issues Score Order 1. Trawl boats should be classified into 4 classes by boat length: less than 14 meters, meters, meters and more than 25 meters, and zone of fishing areas should relate to boat sizes Limitation of the fishing gear designs e.g. mesh size regulation Provinces and Districts should implement and consult to the public for fishery by zone Increase the numbers of artificial reefs both in shallow and deep water areas and the Government should support ferries to transport the concrete blocks Government should buy trawl boats and sink them down to make artificial reefs in certain areas and permit ownership (in certain period of time) to the former boat owners to make their profits by fishing 6 tourism Capitalization of boats for investment in other business, introduce other fishing operations which are not destructive, and introduce for 4 fishing in international waters, tourism and aquaculture Government should license the coastal areas for aquaculture and provide markets to those who have quitted the fishing careers, in this case the destructive gears should be prior considered Government should support financially the fishing fleets for fishing in foreign waters No boat building of more than 14 meters in length and no enlargement of boats which are less than 14 meters within 5 years, except for those which have contacted to fish in other countries. One who is not followed this agreement measure must be punished e.g. the boat will be taken over by the committee that established comprising 2 government agencies and local fishery associations Increase more areas and seasons for area and season closures by public participatory methods 65 1 B. Push Net Fishery Group Mr. Sittipun Siri-ratanachai was elected to be the chairman of the group. 1. Opinions to reduction of fishing capacity 1.1 When quit from the fishing careers, what kind of alternative jobs that can get sufficient income 1.2 Government should have clear and certain policy 1.3 To control the constant boat numbers, push net fishing boats should register 1.4 Government should introduce suitable alternative jobs to local communities 1.5 Stop fishing can have negative effect to the family s economics 16

23 1.6 Fishermen are willing to try the new alternative jobs supported by the Government such as shell culture that have to be proved at first whether or not they could earn enough money to feed their family. If it works, the fishermen would take their opportunity willingly 1.7 For fishery sustainability, it is suggested that push net should be replaced by set net. The set net fishery should be firstly study for more information and in control 1.8 Provision of some certain alternative jobs and price insurances such as tourist fishing boats 1.9 Measure to control the numbers of boats is available, but the fishermen did not cooperate 1.10 Besides controlling the boat numbers by registration, those registered boats should obtain a license for push net fishing at the same time 2. Problems - Fishing resources are decline 3. Cause - Increasing in number of fishing boats 4. Guideline to solve the problems 4.1 Registration, control and reduction of number of fishing boats to a suitable number 4.2 Motivation to alternative jobs should be given by the Government (concrete and practical works, which the fishermen should practice before making decision to undertake new jobs) 4.3 Survey the fishers on willingness to leave fishing careers 4.4 Government should provide some current cost of investment for new alternative job and marketing 4.5 Fishers and Government officials should work together in monitoring and control for illegal fishing. 4.6 Promote the perception of problem; make understanding and implementing of responsible fishing operation through training, workshop etc 4.7 Resources enhancing through installation of artificial reefs and releasing of young fish 4.8 This issue should be embedded in the provincial/ national policies/strategies Issues contributed by the push net fishery group to reduce push net fishing effort in the Eastern Gulf of Thailand 1. Survey and registration of the number of push nets, the fishermen should cooperate in controlling and monitoring the real push net practice (responsible agencies including Provincial Fisheries Officials, Push Net Fishery Group and Local Government Organization) 2. Control the number of push nets, no new fishing boats within 5 years. 3. Motivation to alternative jobs 3.1 change to other fishing methods which are legal 17

24 3.2 provide alternative jobs by Government support e.g. aquaculture, tourist boats, or else which are suitable for the local communities 3.3 provide trainings and extensions in practice of alternative jobs and Government should support financial credits. This issue should be embedded in provincial strategies 4. The Department of Fisheries in collaboration with the communities and fishermen should do the researches on suitable number of push net for sustainable fishery in the Eastern Gulf of Thailand 5. Strictly control and reinforce of fishing laws and regulations 6. Installation of artificial reefs and releasing of young fish 7. Enlargement of mesh size for conservation of the resources 8. Public awareness to make understanding on the issue of capacity reduction of push net Push Net fishing group Fishing stakeholder /Fisher Scores and Prioritization University lecturer Government service Other... Give order of priority to these following items (1= First priority) Issues Score Order 1. Survey and registration of the number of push nets, the fishermen should 87 1 cooperate in controlling and monitoring the real push net practice (responsible agencies including Provincial Fisheries Officials, Push Net Fishery Group and Local Government Organization) 2. Control the number of push nets, no new fishing boats within 5 years Motivation to alternative jobs 3.1 change to other fishing methods which are legal 3.2 provide alternative jobs by Government support e.g. aquaculture, 59 2 tourist boats, or else which are suitable for the local communities 3.3 provide trainings and extensions in practice of alternative jobs and Government should support financial credits. This issue should be embedded in provincial strategies 4. The Department of Fisheries in collaboration with the communities and 29 4 fishermen should do the researches on suitable number of push net for sustainable fishery in the Eastern Gulf of Thailand 5. Strictly control and reinforce of fishing laws and regulations Installation of artificial reefs and releasing of young fish Enlargement of mesh size for conservation of the resources Public awareness to make understanding on the issue of capacity reduction of push net

25 Meeting Schedule The Second Stakeholder Consultation Meeting Eastern Gulf Zone, November 2005, Golden City Hotel, Rayong Province, Thailand 23 rd November Registration to the meeting Lunch Break Introduction of places and participants Meeting preparation and excursion to local fishing community Dinner 24 th November 2005 A. Opening Session: Welcome remarks by the Rayong Provincial Governor (Mr. Sanoe Chantra) Group Photo Session Reporting speech by the Director of the Marine Fisheries Research and Development Bureau (Mr. Rungsan Chayakul) -Opening the Seminar by the Expert on Fisheries Economics, Department of Fisheries (Dr. Somying Piumsomboon) B. Introduction and Orientation Session: National policy of marine fisheries by the Expert on Fisheries Economics, Department of Fisheries (Ms. Somying Piumsomboon) Guideline for Trawl and Push net fisheries Management by the Director of the Marine Fisheries Research and Development Bureau (Mr. Rungsan Chayakul) Background and the objectives of the Meeting by the Expert on Marine Fisheries, Department of Fisheries (Dr. Mala Supongpan) C. Presentation Session: Laws and regulations for trawl and push net fishery management by Director of License and Fisheries Management Section, Department of Fisheries (Mr Prathet Sor-ruk) Coffee Break Refreshment Trawl and Push Net Fishing Conditions in the Eastern Gulf of Thailand (Mr. Anucha Songjitsawat) 19

26 Results of the Survey on Attitude on Trawl and Push Net Fisheries from ABAC (Dr. Thanapat Hapipat) Results of the Socio-economic Studies from Kasetsart University, (Dr. Ruengrai Tokrisana) Lunch Break D. Brainstorm Session: All participants are separated into 2 Groups for brainstorming: Trawl Fishery Group Push Net Fishery Group Coffee Break Refreshment Continue 25 th November 2005 E. Evaluation & Closing Session Report on the results of the Net Fishery Group by the chairman of the group (Leader of Trat Push Net Fisheries Association: Mr. Pot Su-net) Coffee Break Refreshment Report on results of the Trawl Fishery Group by the chairman of the group (Leader of Rayong Fisheries Association: Mr. Komdej Ratanaporn-waree-sakul) Lunch Break Summarize and prioritize the results of the Meeting and inform the schedule of the third SCM in the upper south zone in Surat Thani province by the Expert on Marine Fisheries, Department of Fisheries (Dr. Mala Supongpan) Closing address by the Expert on Marine Fisheries, Department of Fisheries (Dr. Mala Supongpan) 20

27 Report The Third Stakeholder Consultation Meeting Upper South Zone Reduction of Trawl and Push net Fishing Capacity in the Upper South of the Gulf of Thailand 11 th -13 th January 2006 at Diamond Hotel, Surat Thani Province The third Stakeholder Consultation Meeting in the Upper South Zone (Prachuab Kiri Khan, Chumphon and Surat Thani Provinces) on the Reduction of Trawl and Push net Fishing Capacity was held during 11 th -13 th January 2006 at Diamond Plaza Hotel, Surat Thani Province. The Meeting was financially supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations under the project FAO/GCP/RAS/199/SWE. The participants comprised representatives from trawl and push net and smallscale fishers, Provincial Fisheries Association, University Instructors and official staffs from the Department of Fisheries of Thailand (DOF), totally 62 persons. 1. Welcome Speech by Permanent Secretariat of Surat Thani Office In the named of Surat Thani people, we are glad to welcome the participants of the Meeting, who concerns the issue of Reduction of Trawl and push net Fishing Capacity in the upper south of the Gulf of Thailand. Surat Thani Province is located in the Upper South Region as the center of the gulf coast. Their economically incomes rely on agriculture, fisheries and tourism. The Province is divides into 18 districts and 1 sub-district. Fruits and natural rubber are mainly products in agricultural sector. Along the 156 km-coast line that is available for fisheries. Total number of 3,649 fishing boats consists of 529 trawlers and 663 push netters are operating in the coastal areas of the zone. Marine fisheries product amounted to Baht 1,033 millions that is Baht 2,914.9 millions GPP in fisheries. It is expected that tourism and services are highly potential developed to increase income. We would like to thank the Department of Fisheries that choose the province for holding the Meeting. We wish that this meeting can achieve the best outcome and can be used for better management for our fisheries. 2. Reporting by the Director of the Marine Fisheries Technology Research and Development Institute Mr. Taweep Boonwanit reported the meeting, the rapid development of Thai marine fisheries leads to critical status and hardship to manage the fishery resources due to unbalance between recruitment and the exploitation rate of marine resources and fishermen needs. However, the fisheries still need to reduce the fishing effort to a level that optimize to the fish stock size, which should bring profit to the fishers and then the economic situation of Thailand. At present, fishery investment could not get economic profit that lead to a great deal of loss in enormous capital. Also, marine habitats and biodiversity are destroyed. 21

28 Perceiving the importance of the fishery management, the Department of Fisheries together with the FAO organize this brain-storm Meeting to seek for the best solution in fishing capacity reduction for better fishery situation. The Meeting is supported financially by the FAO under the purpose that this event should be opened for exchange ideas and opinions on the reduction of the trawl and push net efforts and to inform the fishermen about the results of survey on their opinion, attitude, social and economic study within their zone. The Meeting participated by representatives from various agencies and stakeholders including trawl and push net fishers, university instructors, FAO staffs and concerning government services. 3. Opening Address by the Deputy Director-General of the DOF (Dr. Somying Piumsomboon) Thanks all the fishers who attain this Meeting with intention to express their thoughts and opinions on fishery management; the fishery management is very important and effect to our economy and directly to the way of fisher s life. In the past there was a Thai slogan that where is water, the fish must be there; now it is not always true because all fish are not always be there. This was due to the over exploitation and fully exploitation in several fish stocks. Right management for fishery sustainability is urgently required to manage our fisheries. In this occasion it is opened for fishers to give ideas, exchange information and be consulted to find out the way to reduce trawl and push net fishing effort. Since both types of gear are declared by scientific researches that they are not selective and can cause conflicts. The Meeting output from the fishers participated in the resolution planning process can be practiced in the reality. The output of this zone meeting will be pooled with other zones and finally we will have another Meeting of High Senior Level to consult for action plan for practical management. 4. DOF Policy on Marine Fisheries Management by the Deputy Director-General of the DOF (Dr. Somying Piumsomboon) There are 2 parts of marine fisheries in Thailand. 1. Outside Thai Water fisheries The fisheries in the neighboring countries were formerly allocated by the host countries. The allocation was made by licensing system or giving fishing rights. In the near future, fishing in foreign countries will be more hardship due to the host countries need some infra structure and fishery industries or related fishery industries established in their countries. That means the fishery cooperation from foreign countries will be changed to joint venture system. Thai fishing companies have to establish some processing plants located in the host countries that need a large amount of money. In some countries the basic facilities are not ready to facilitate the processing plants e.g. stable supply electricity, road, fishing piers, transportation and market. Diplomatic negotiations are important strategies that Thailand tries to assist those countries by technical assistance e.g. training for aquaculture, health care and diagnosis, trust and credit making. 22

29 In international waters, DOF tries to contribute and support tuna fishing fleets and expand the tuna purse seine project to compete with other countries and to supply domestic industries about raw material of tunas which nowadays have to be imported about 600,000 ton/year. Consequently, Thailand is a member of the IOTC to obtain the quota on tuna fishing in Indian Ocean. 2. Fishing in national waters: The Department of Fisheries has handle the policy for responsible fisheries by using practical mechanism and suitable technology such as suitable types of fishing gear which are highly selective to fish on target species, utilize sustainable resources and environmentally friendly fishing, long-term economic sustainability and social acceptance. For responsible fisheries, efficiently development and longterm advantages, these 4 following items must be considered a. Fishing laws and regulations must be strictly enforced and practiced; the fishers must be obeyed to the laws. b. Resource enhancement as seed releasing and artificial reef installation projects must be promoted. c. Cooperative collaboration system from fishers in resources possession and reasonable utilization for long-term advantage must be established. d. Control and limit an excessive fishing capacity to a level that corresponded to the resources availability and sustainability have to be urgently implemented. 5. Trawl and push net management policy by Director of the Marine Fisheries Technology Research and Development Institute (Mr. Taweep Boonwanit) On the issues of fishing operation 1. Decline of fishing resources by nature and fishing exploitation could be managed by prohibition of certain types of fishing gear, regulation of mesh size, control of fishing boats and resource enhancement projects. 2. High price of capital factors e.g. fuel and oil which affects the trawling activities could be partially subsidized by Green and Purple Oil Projects (price: 2-baht lower than market price). Even through it is contrary to the reduction of fishing capacity but the government has to consider about the social welfare, since then this project is still going on. 3. Shortage of employee e.g. high assurance cost for foreign workers (10,000-50,000 baht per head guarantee deposit) and the problem of the existing workers move out to other jobs. Factors affecting all items are caused by excessive fishing capacity to the recovering potential of the fishing resources. These results are that the new recruitments are not sufficiently replaced to the exploited fish stocks. Reduction of fishing capacity seems to become major consideration to diminish the decline of fishing resources; certain types of fishing gears and technology have to be considered to 23

30 reduce their efficiency, as well as regulate of certain types of gear, suitable mesh size and non-selective fishing gear have to be more adapted and modified. To reduce fishing capacity must be optimistic and creative to resource management, e.g. types and numbers of fishing gear and boat reduction must be considered which are directly worth for fishing resources, effect to consumers, qualify products and effect to the fishers and environment, as well as international acceptance. 6. Background of Trawl and Push net Fishing Capacity Reduction Project by the Senior Expert on Marine Fisheries (Dr. Mala Supongpan). According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has a contact with FAO on the project entitled Strengthening the Capacity in Fisheries Information Gathering for Management FAO/GCP/RAS/199/SWE. This project has been modified to the Reduction on the Fishing Capacity especially for trawl fisheries that included push net fishery by the Department of Fisheries. The Department of Fisheries has further signed an agreement to the FAO/GCP/RAS/199/SWE for the reduction of fishing capacity of trawl fisheries for three year. That was started in 2004 and will be ended in Under guidance of the Department of Fisheries, Kasetsart University and ABAC Poll will do the researches and analyses on the socioeconomic and fisher opinion in reduction on fishing capacity to support the DOF activities. The Stakeholder Consultation Meeting will be held four times covered four zones in the Gulf of Thailand to consult for their needs and alternative opportunities jobs. A High Senior Official Meeting will be held after the four SCM have been held to formulate the practical framework and action plan to implement for the reduction of excess fishing capacity of the trawl fisheries. The output will be disseminated, documented and distributed via mass media. The first SCM was held in Cha-am, Petchaburi Province, the upper gulf zone in August 2005 (the zone covered Cholburi, Chachengsao, Samuth Prakarn, Samuth Sakorn, Samuth Song Kram and Petchaburi provinces). The second SCM was held in Rayong of the eastern zone in November 2005 (eastern gulf zone covered Trad, Chanta Buri and Rayong provinces). The third SCM was held in Surat Thani of the upper south zone in January 2006 (the zone covered Prachuab Kiri Khan, Chumporn and Surat Thani provinces). The fourth SCM (the last one) will be held in Songkhla of the southern zone in April 2006 (the zone covered Nakorn Sri Thammarat Thani, Songkhla and Pattani provinces). 7. Trawl and Push net Fisheries Status in the Middle Gulf of Thailand by representative from the Middle Gulf Marine Fisheries Research and Development Center (Mr. Udomsin Aksornpa-op) Utilization of marine resources was formerly fairly sufficient for low-efficient fishing gear and for family consumption. As the population increased, more resources were exploited. In 1961, during the first National Economics and Social Development Plan of Thailand, the Department of Fisheries has introduced new technology to develop fishing gear efficiency so that a great amount of resources were 24

31 caught both for domestic consumption and exports in forms of industrial products e.g. canning, freezing, fish mill, etc. Continuously, the marine resources have been heavily exploited and rapidly declined. Fishing zones both in the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea due to the statistical fishing data can be divided into five zones, namely, Eastern, Upper, the Middle and the Southern Gulf of Thailand, and the Andaman Sea. After the declaration of 200 nm Exclusive Economic Zone of our neighboring countries, fishing areas of Thailand were reduced; the fishers had to return back to fish only in Thai waters. The DOF has realized these problems and tried to solve from time to time. Number of trawl and push net boat in the Middle Gulf during was not so high it contributed 10% of the total fishing boats in the Gulf of Thailand. Among the push netters in the middle gulf, the shrimp push net boats are more abundant in Surat Thani than in Prachuab Kirikan and Chumphon Provinces. From the DOF registration record recently, number of fishing boats including push net boat trends to decline whilst the pair-trawlers and beam-trawlers are rather constant. In 2003 DOF has an announcement for trawl fishers to inform DOF about their number of fishing boats for fishing by zone project. It was found that the number of push netter informed to DOF for their real operation were much higher than the number of registration. In contrary, the number of informed otter-trawlers was lower than registered because the fishers have their own confidences that they have already registered so no need to inform DOF again. In case of beam-trawlers and push netters, the fishers found that they will have some beneficial interested and it is necessary to register their boats beforehand. Recently, the catch amounts from trawls and push nets in the Middle Gulf as reported by the DOF- Statistic Office are considerably high especially from large trawlers. Target catch of single trawler, smaller than 14 m, is composed of demersal fish, shrimps and squids. Trash fish is high as 48% of total catch and 36% of the trash is the young of economic species. The trash fish caught by single trawlers of 14-18m in length is about 64% of total catch and 44% of the trash is the young of economic species. Target catch of pair-trawlers, larger than 18 m, is pelagic fish. Trash fish is high as 45% of total catch and 70% of the trash is the young of economic species. During , target catch of the research vessel, Pramong I, is similar to the otter trawls that composed of demersal fish, shrimps and squids. Trash fish content is also high as 52% of total catch. In terms of push nets larger than 18m in lenth, in Chumphon and Surat Thani, the target is shrimp whereas trash fish contains 61% of total catch and 8-14% of them are the young of economic species. Content of young economic fish caught by trawls and push nets are high and considered economically waste. Available measures and policy to control the trawls and push nets should be including area and season closures, fishing gear restriction, limitation of new entry, implementation of quota system and mesh size regulation. 25

32 8. Open Discussion and Suggestion on Status of Trawl and Push Net Fisheries in the Middle Gulf of Thailand As the number of trawl and push net fishing boats are high in the Middle Gulf of Thailand. The trawls and push nets catch a great deal of trash fish in which contains a lot of young economic fish. It should be then required from fishermen in the meeting to express their creative and determinative opinions on this matter. - Director of the Southern Marine Fisheries Research and Development Center (Mr. Manoch Roongratri) asked about the number of trawl and push net fishing boats as registered in December 2003 was real figures or registered in other gears else, this issue is important for further discussion on the reduction of fishing boats. - Representative from the Middle Gulf Marine Fisheries Research and Development Center (Mr. Udomsin Aksornpa-op) answered that the numbers were real and agreed to the registered gears. - The Senior Expert on Marine Fisheries (Dr. Mala Supongpan) clarified the question about the registered number and the informed number that were different. The registered number was that the fishers paid for their license fees and registered for the gear that will be operated in the fishing year (April to March of the following year) but the informed number was informed by fishers for their number of fishing boats and gear for the propose of fishing by zone to support the DOF policy. Some fishers may not inform due to their thinking that they have already registered so no need to inform again. - Director of the Fisheries Administration and Management Bureau (Mr. Pinkponk Wichaidit) added that registration of trawls and push nets must be yearly; otherwise it may be invalid if the registration is not continuously extended. So that boat numbers would be decreased. According to Mr. Manoch s question, it might be a general registration concerning general information and different issues. 9. Laws and Regulations Concerning Trawls and Push Nets by Director of the Fisheries Administration and Management Bureau (Mr. Pinkponk Wichaidit) Laws and legislations are tools for administration and management in order that the exploitation of marine resources could be sustainable. Declining of fisheries resources was detected by reduction of catch rates by the research vessels. The Research Vessels have conducted trawl surveys using 40 mm cod end mesh size and the catch rate was kg/hr in 1966, whereas in 1981 the catch rate was reduced to kg/hr. In addition, the catch rates of the vessels using cod end mesh 25 mm were reduced from kg/hr in 1984 to kg/hr in In Andaman Sea, the fishing catch rate seemed to be better condition than in the Gulf of Thailand. But the composition of trash fish in the Andaman was higher than those in the Gulf. As the fishing resources decrease, the catch rate also decreases, but the investment costs are higher e.g. the fuel price and labor cost. 26

33 The trawls and push nets are high efficient but non-selective for target species. In the past both types of fishing gear could gain a good catch, but now no more. While the amount of economic important species reduces, the trash fish contents are increased. In terms of fisheries administration and management, successful for the reduction on the fishing capacity needs at least 3 factors e.g. fisheries policy from higher executives, cooperative collaboration of the fishers (core factor) and laws and legislations which are fair and acceptable, including the communities should also participate in the contribution. Legal controls affect on fisheries in Thai waters by allowing or not allowing to conduct certain types of fishing gear under the Fisheries Act 1947, Thai Boat Act 1938 and Navigation in Thai-waters Act The control is authorized under Section 32 as following: - Control of mesh size or sieve size - Strictly ban of some types of fishing gear - Regulation on fishing operation of some types of fishing gear - Regulation on the distance of fishing from located stationary fishing gear - Regulation of fishing prohibition during spawning season and nursery ground - Regulation of species, size and maximal quantity of catch - Absolute prohibition to catch some species List of available laws and regulations on trawls and push nets in Thailand: - Trawls and push nets are not allowed to operate within 3,000 m zone from shoreline, around islands and also 400 m around any stationary gear which are legally permitted (Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives Notification, issued on 20 th July 1972: Regulation of prohibited zone for trawl and push net operations) - Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives Notification, issued on 26 th June 1975: Prohibition of trawls and push nets in Chonburi Province - Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives Notification (Second issue), issued on 17 th October 1980: Prohibited zone for trawls and push nets; 1,000 m around Tarutao Islands - Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives Announcement, issued on 11 th April 1985: Prohibition of some types of fishing gear during the spawning season and in the nursing grounds for a certain period (e.g. closing period in the Andaman Sea, 15 April to 15 June annually) - Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives Notification, issued on 14 th December 1998: Prohibition of trawls and push nets in Pung-nga Bay - Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives Notification, issued on 24 th September 1999: Prohibition of some types of fishing gear during the spawning season and in the nursing grounds for a certain period in Prachuab Kiri Khan, Chumphon and Surat Thani Provinces (15 February to 15 May annually) 27

34 - Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives Notification, issued on 17 th July 2003: Prohibition of push nets in a certain area (Patani Province) - Chonburi Province Notification, issued on 23 rd March 1999: Prohibition of beam trawls in Chonburi Province - Prachuab Kirikan Province Notification, issued on 19 th October 1999: Prohibited zone for some type of fishing gear in a certain area in Prachuab Kirikan Province (Bang Sapan Bay Project) - Trat Province Notification, issued on 28 th March 2000: Prohibited zone for trawls, push nets and Short-necked clam dredges in Chang Strait, Trat Province - Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives Notification, issued on 16 th September 1996: Attachment of sea turtle excluder device (TED) to shrimp-trawls during operation. 10. Attitude Survey on Reduction of Fishing Effort by Deputy Director of the ABAC-Poll, Assumption University (Dr. Tanapat Hapipat) It was a quantitative study among 3 groups of fishing career namely crew and employee, business owner and processing business groups. Field surveys were done in the first 2 groups while for the last group, telephone communication was accomplished. There were total 782 samples interviewed during 1 st April to 15 th August The crew and employee group - General information: 65.9% are years old. 85.9% educated 6-years in primary school or lesser. 60.2% are married. Family members between 3-5 (average 4) persons. 52.1% earn less than 5,000 baht/month. 43.7% have got saving account, but 19.3% have got credits in average of 36,925 baht. - Profession information: 66.7% never practiced other jobs else, for those who have got experience in other careers e.g. farmers, service and business handling. It was found that 94.1% have got no parttime jobs rather than fishing. Problems in fishing operation; weather condition (43.5%), no fish (30.1%). Most of them seem to be satisfied with their fishing profession (78.5%) - Trends to choose alternative jobs in future: Most of the crews have got neither skill nor ability to take other jobs than fishing (68.1%). The others (31.4%) know how to work in handcraft, agriculture and trading business. In terms of future planning, most have got neither plans nor expectations in their fishing career (68.8%), some got the ideas for changing but impossible (7.2%) because of capital investment, knowledge deficiency, old aging, no ideas or skill. - Factors and inspiration or attraction to take alternative jobs: More income (82.9%), more stability (44.0%). 49.6% accept government fishing effort reduction policy that have the consequence of career changing. 14.8% can be acceptable under conditions of alternative jobs and income. 34.6% do not agree with the idea and 1% no response to the question. 28

35 2. The business owner group - General information: 62.6% are male. Most (70.1%) are more 40 years of age. Fishing experience more than 10 years, 50.9%, between 6-10 years, 27.1% and less than 5 years, 22.0%. - Profession information: 66.5%, never practiced other jobs else. Some conduct other jobs the same time, 5.3% have jobs related to fisheries, other 22.3%, different. 44.7% hire only Thai crews, 49.4%, Thai and foreigners but 5.9%, only foreigners. - Trends of business and expectation in 2005: Comparison between the first three months in 2005 to 2004, most of them found decreasing trend in catching results in 2005, prices - lower, but investment - higher. Net profit - smaller, number of employees no change. Expectation for the trend in latter half year, 44.2%-no change, 41.5-worse and 14.3-better. - Modification in fishing business: 66.9% - no interesting in government supporting business, only 33.1% - agree to change e.g. to trading business, rubber plantation, aquaculture, private and animal farming. 54.8% - not agreed to fishing reduction policy of the government, 19.2 agreed without conditions, 54.8% - agreed with conditions that government should help and support about new jobs, oilprice control, fishing product-price guarantee, financial support, lower rate of interest and boat buying. 3. The processing business group 45.8% carry on this business more than 10 years, 31.3% between 5-10 years and 22.9% - less than 5 years. 51.4% hire only Thai-employees, 45.7% - both Thai and foreigners, 2.9% - only foreigners. Comparison between the first three months in 2005 to 2004, most of them found decreasing trend in the production in 2005, prices - lower, but investment - higher. Net profit - smaller, number of employees no change. Expectation for the trend in latter half year, 48.6%-better, 25.7-worse and no change. 37.1% - not agreed with government policy on reduction of fishing effort, 34.3% - agreed without conditions, 28.6% - agreed with conditions. 4. Limitation of the research - Language barriers with foreigner employees - Scope of sample size may not fit the present population size, sampling was based on DOF- Fisheries Statistics in Limit budget and cost of operations (Detail information is appeared in the ABAC report) 11. Open Discussion and Suggestion on the Reduction of Fishing Capacity - Mr. Manoch Roongratri Director of the Eastern Marine Fisheries Research and Development center: This survey seemed to be general and superficial, on classification of fishing gear and fishing boats, which might impact to the response of the sample groups. It should be better if such factors should be regarded. 29

36 - Mr. Pairochana Saikiang Acting Director the Marine Fisheries Research and Development Center, Chumphon: In case of man power who want to get out with condition that the DOF should be ready to provide and support them with jobs e.g. in aquaculture; it should have the survey on suitability of sites and species etc. If the DOF could find suitable places which are possible to raise mariculture, the man power could then get out of fishing activity, if not no way. On this point of view, the government should response immediately. - Mr. Somkiat Samatkarn Supervisor of Surat Thani Provincial Fishermen Association: Because the survey is quantitative, choices to answer might be limited; number of fishers, time to answer etc. especially, the chance that boat owners will get out fishing business might impact on man power and relating business. The fishers, in fact, may want to leave or not. It should be questioned whether the trawlers and push netters want to quit out their works without the idea to take new jobs in fisheries. - Dr. Tanapat Hapipat Assistant Director of ABAC-Poll, Assumption University: Details of interviewing stand in the contributions, communication during survey was limited by feelings, emotions and understanding, etc. However, we even rehearsed some times and always take good care on data evaluation. - Lt. Sa-ngiam Sumranrat President of Chumphon Fisheries Association: Data base in 2001 was not up to date. At present, data on foreigners, economics, some types of fishing gear and boats are changed to practice in other ways, e.g. some medium and large single trawls have changed to be the falling nets and Indo-Pacific mackerel gill nets have modified to destroy spawning stocks of the Indo- Pacific mackerel. Now, large pair-trawls from the 3 Samut s Provinces (Samut Prakarn, Samut Sakorn and Samut Songkram provinces) have already modified the Indo-Pacific mackerel gill nets. The DOF should concern and manage this matter as soon as possible, because it may be problematic during the closing period in next month (February), and the data must be adjusted to the present. - Dr. Tanapat Hapipat Assistant Director of ABAC-Poll, Assumption University: This matter was already discussed, data taken during 1 st April 15 th August 2005 are recently up to date, and it may shift or differ a bit from today situation, however, the data collection was still useful to consider. 12. Study Results on Socio-economics by Kasetsart University (Mr. Therawut Kraimak) (Detail information is in the report of KU) 13. Open Discussion and Suggestion on the Reduction on the Fishing Capacity - Mr. Chanwit Chariyanukul Secretary of the Thai Fishing Boat Association raised the question: What is the process or research and what objectives to change our ancestor careers to other jobs? - Dr. Mala Supongpan Senior Expert on Marine Fisheries, Department of Fisheries: Change or not change we have to consult to this brainstorm Meeting. After we have finished four Meetings, the results will be analyses and concluded to the higher executives in both government service and private 30

37 sector to contribute the guidelines for practice by holding the High Senior Level Meeting. Career changes for alternative opportunity jobs are basically by willingness and volunteer of stakeholders. - Mr. Pinkponk Wichaidit Director of Fisheries Administration and Management Bureau: Please see the definitions of fishing gears carefully trawls and clam-dredge are not the same, they are different. - Mr. Anan Chusak President of Surat Thani Province Fishermen Association: The DOF should know the actual numbers of fishing boats at present; determine the suitable number of boats to available resources. I agreed to the measure of push net reduction (quit out), but should have further plans or managements e.g. stop the new entry fishing boats. 14. Consultations from Trawl Fisheries Groups The chosen chairperson of the group summarized the results of the trawl fisheries group consultation as follow: Opinions on Reduction of fishing capacity Problems 1. Numbers of trawl fishing boats are too many 2. Fish numbers are declined, unsustainable; resources are destroyed; the fishermen suffer on this problem and have to leave out the fishing sectors. 3. Baits-used fishing gear e.g. crab trap and Indo-Pacific Mackerel Gill net are destructive gear especially during spawning periods both types of gear should be controlled 4. Fisheries Act 1947 is out of date Cause of problems 1. Number of trawls and other types of gear are not balance in capturing the fish stocks 2. Trawl fishing boats from other places come to catch in the Middle Gulf 3. Trawl fishing boats operate within 3,000 m 4. Available laws and legislations are ignored 5. The oil subsidize project for fishing activity should be cancelled Management Issues 1. Promote large fishing boats to fish outside Thai waters e.g. in foreign countries and international waters in form of company. 2. The government should provide alternative jobs and capitals to assure the new careers 3. Area and season closures should be increased in the northern and southern coastal of the gulf but in the eastern area should be decreased. That should have scientific data and research available. 4. Trawling license should be allowed to change to other fishing license such as anchovy falling nets and it should depend on the resource status. 5. Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives Notification 1999 should be appropriate reconsidered to suit the real and present fisheries. 31

38 6. Control, Protection, Extension and Fisheries Development Fund should be established and funding support by 1% of export value from exporter volunteer. 7. Fishing zone regulation should be established. 8. Expansion areas for reserved zone from 3,000 m to be 5,000 m and it will be depended on each geographic area. 9. Artificial reefs should be installed on the middle areas of the gulf (former high ground of the middle areas of the gulf). After the group concluded the management issues; the group has chosen the most important issue and all issues have been prioritized as appeared in the Table below. Issues Prioritization from Trawl Fisheries Group Issues Orders 1. Promote large fishing boats to fish outside Thai waters e.g. in foreign countries and international waters in form of company 8 2. The government should provide alternative jobs and capitals to assure the new careers 5 3. Area and season closures should be increased in the northern and southern coastal of the gulf but in the eastern area should be decreased. That should have scientific data and research available Trawling license should be allowed to change to other fishing license such as anchovy falling nets and it should depend on the resource status 2 5. Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives Announcement 1999 should be appropriate reconsidered to suit the real and present fisheries 2 6. Control, Protection, Extension and Fisheries Development Fund should be established and funding support by 1% of export value from exporter volunteer 1 7. Fishing zone regulation should be established 2 8. Expansion areas for reserved zone from 3,000 m to be 5,000 m and it will be depended on each geographic area Artificial reefs should be installed on the middle areas of the gulf (former high ground of the middle areas of the gulf) 9 Open Discussion and Suggestion in the Plenary Session - Dr. Mala Supongpan Senior Expert on Marine Fisheries, Department of Fisheries: For management issue No 4 Trawling license should be allowed to change to other gears should be changed as Trawling license should be allowed to change to other gears that do not damage the resources and environment e.g. anchovy falling nets The gears to change (e.g. anchovy falling nets) should be opened, but should not specify. As listening from Director Pinkponk, now there is a certain regulation for the falling net. It might be better not to specify the type of gear. - Lt. Sa-ngiam Sumranrat Head of the trawl fishing group: In general, I agreed with the expert. Actually, all destructive gears should be absolutely quitted out. In case of unpractical, less destructive gear (e.g. anchovy falling nets) should be kindly considered to allow. 32

39 - Mr. Pinkponk Wichaidit Director of Fisheries Administration and Management Bureau: To change to operate by other gears, which are not notified by laws, is practically possible. But anchovy falling nets some fishing regulations are concerned. So that, allow to change from trawls directly to falling net for anchovies seems to be not created. However, I m quite pound of the ideas of establishing funds in fisheries it is common because there are many funds in other agricultural careers e.g. Natural Rubber Fund. Brain-storm discussion in trawl fisheries group is quite good and looks practical. - Mr. Somkiat Samatkarn Supervisor of Surat Thani Provincial Fisheries Association: Considering the issue of resource destructive gears to change from trawls to anchovy falling nets, as in No 4 90% catch of the falling nets are anchovies, whereas most catch of trawls and push nets contains various species and count to trash fish. Anchovy falling nets seemed to be not as destruction as trawls and push nets. However, yet neither evidence nor complaint whether falling nets disturb food chain of other fish such as the Spanish mackerels or not, because the mackerel feed on anchovies. Anyway, I agreed not to specify the gear; it should be opened. - Mr.Boon-yang Kong-napukdi Trawl fisher from Chumphon: Achovy falling net operations cover small area at boat side, in comparison to the light-luring purse seines. So, the light-luring purse seine should be more strictly controlled. Anchovy falling nets are not so destructive that should be able to allow DOF please consider this. - Lt. Sa-ngiam Sumranrat Head of the trawl fishing group: Presentation needs cooperative comments to approach maximal success. If there is any change, we can discuss them together. For this moment, I want to hear more ideas and comments from everybody. If the DOF will hold the Seminar like this again, I m glad to take part in. If the DOF wants to do the experiment I m also glad to cooperate. - Mr. Chanwit Chariyanukul Secretariat of the Thai Fishing Boat Association: Regarding to the No 4 objectives for raising the anchovy falling nets as an example seems to take advantage from laws and regulations somehow. For precise information about resources, environment and other factors concerned, the researchers should work together with fishers to obtain more knowledge. To use only laws in advance would be dangerous. - Lt. Sa-ngiam Sumranrat Head of the trawl fishing group: Usage of the Fisheries Act is now not only the DOF but also other Ministry can use these laws either. The Fisheries Act should be revised or reformed and adjusted to be suitable and fair for all fishers. - Dr. Smith Thammachua Foreign Fisheries Division: I agree with the establishment of Fisheries Fund and I want to suggest some words as Fund to control, protect and support fisheries (no development) sounds better. Where the fund comes from should be detailed, e.g. from the exports of fisheries products. It sounds that the fishermen in this region still wants to keep trawling. The world, however, tries to reduce trawling, in Europe otter trawls are banned, even in international waters trawls are going to be banned. The next step, the prohibition may cover EEZ. About 4-5 countries still allow foreign trawling in their waters, but only in some restricted areas. Chance to trawl for Thai fishers 33

40 may be only in deep waters of in the international waters. In the past, control of fishing boat numbers was under the Navy and DOF. Some boats were however not under the control of both authorities, they were illegal. These problems are serious and worried boat numbers may not controllable. - Lt. Sa-ngiam Sumranrat Head of the trawl fishing group: Adding sponsor of the fund from 1% of the exporters of fishery products. Control of fishing boats numbers the Fisheries Associations are responsible for boats throughout the country. Regulation of fishing boats should be done in domestic water prior to those in outside water. So as the issues of resource enhancement, responsible fisheries, reduction of fishing boats and the changing of fishing to tourist boats, for instance should be promoted. - Mr. Pa-yao Srichan Local Fisher from Chumphon Province: In case trawls are changed to anchovy falling nets and operate in deep waters should not be problematic. But the light-luring purse seines themselves may cause problems with other gears. Fishing grounds should be separated from each other. - Lt. Sa-ngiam Sumranrat Head of the trawl fishing group: In this meeting the suggestion is liked a framework for management, it is not yet going to details for practice. The details should be come out when it is implemented. I would like to ask the groups or leaders, please to inspire the members to take action in resource conservation for keeping the resources and our fishing careers. 15. Consultations from Push net Groups Opinions on Reduction of Fishing Capacity 1. Boat numbers have been partially decreased 2. Some fishers want to quit from push net but what to do next? 3. Solving problems is dissimilar among different areas 4. Push net fishing should be quitted out since Fishers do not agree with increasing mesh size loss of income 6. Surveys on changing of fishing career have different results between universities (KU and ABAC) 7. Legal illegal push nets: do not separated 8. The DOF have got the data on number of boats at Provincial Fisheries Offices 9. Blue swimming crabs are destroyed by trawls, but push nets catch only all shrimps 10. Reduction of fishing boats the fishermen do not agree 11. Numbers uncontrollable, more shrimps, more boats 12. Proposed methods to solve problems traditional 13. Long rods for push net they fish offshore, near islands/short rod fish in near shallow waters 14. Boat numbers varied by market demand and resources availability; limitations or reduction of one gear may cause to increasing in others, various measures must be done together 34

41 Problems 1. Numbers of push net fishing boats higher than optimum 2. Fishing resources declined 3. Catching efficiency of push nets high Causes of problems 1. No allocate catch quota to fish 2. DOF guideline to solve problem-not clear, fishers do not trust 3. No unity between agencies concerning fisheries management 4. Resources status unknown, how many boats are suitable? Guideline to solve the problems 1. Reduce the fishing boat and fishing gear 2. Regulation of boat numbers needs to know the size of fish stocks 3. Push net quit out should be compensated 4. Find places to produce seedlings, install artificial reefs along the coastline 5. No illegal boats (no license) 6. Catching efficiency should be modified to acceptable level 7. Government should have measures to help the modification of efficiency and engine powers for push nets 8. Examine boat numbers and the license Issues 1. Surveys on numbers of push net fishing boat and gear 2. Reduce boat numbers to suit the available resources by motivation initiation 3. Provide motivation initiation and alternative jobs in order to stop the push nets 4. Find suitable places to install artificial reefs 5. Laws and regulations strictly enforced, to get rid of illegal boats 6. Regulation of efficiency and horse powers not more than 300 hp 7. Government should provide capital support for efficiency modification and horse power of push net gear. 8. Fisher Community in collaboration with Provincial Fisheries Associations should take action in proofing of the same boat owners who really got yearly license from the DOF. 35

42 Issues prioritization from the Push Net fishery Group Issues Orders 1. Surveys on numbers of push net fishing boat and gear 1 2. Reduce boat numbers to suit the available resources by motivation initiation 2 3. Provide motivation initiation and alternative jobs in order to stop the push nets 4. Find suitable places to install artificial reefs 7 5. Laws and regulations strictly enforced, to get rid of illegal boats 4 6. Regulation of efficiency and horse powers not more than 300 hp 5 7. Government should provide capital support for efficiency modification and horse power for push net gear Fishers in collaboration with Provincial Fisheries Associations should take action in proofing of the same boat owners who really got license yearly from the DOF 3 8 Open Discussion and Suggestion in the Plenary Session - Mr. Chanwit Chari-yanukul Secretariat of the Thai Fishing Boat Association: In the cause of problem the DOF guideline to solve problems is not clear? And fishermen do not belief please explain and suggest how it should be? For problems about no unity between agencies in management which ones? Please detail, and how those agencies should do? - Mr. Somkiat Sunthakorn Head of the push net fishing group: Example for those problems that fishers do not trust e.g. the policy fishing by zone not clear and continuous policy.no collaboration among agencies concerned license for fishing gear is issued by DOF, but boat registration issue by the Navy. - Mr. Somkiat Samutkan Supervisor of Surat Thani Fishermen Association: Problem solving by DOF is clear, but no continuity fishermen do not trust to cooperate. In terms of no unity because the government agencies have no collaboration in solving problems for fisheries. In addition, the problems about reduction of fishing effort not solved due to lacking of trustworthy information, the data system should be improved and the GIS system should be implemented. Administration and management should be based on consideration from every stakeholder. Several meetings have been held but not yet have action plans come out, so far. It is expected that after the last meeting of this project, the action plans will be come out by combination of all information and all solving processes. The implementing process should also be cooperated with everyone concerned, the fishers please come to express your ideas and exchange your experiences in working which are useful for future management for fisheries sustainability. - Mr. Taweep Boonwanit Director of the Marine Fisheries Technology Research and Development Institute: Push net problem solving is delayed because of waiting for survey results of fishing boat numbers and fishing zone division. The GIS is possible to apply with database we have, for socio-economic data is now beginning. On the policy of fishing boat reduction measure to protect or 36

43 stop new entry boats come to fishing business is prior to come out. Measure for old boats have to find out how many boats to manage like this Meeting. The action plans will be certainly formulated. - Lt. Sa-ngiam Sumranrat President of the Chumphon Provincial Fisheries Association: The DOF works are limited, so that many useful projects have to be delayed to continue this causes fishers have no confidence to DOF. In solving problems I suggest to form a working group consisting of ordinary people to prevent the politic intervention. The DOF should also support this and the problems should be solved. On the issue of increasing mesh-size does not mean increased until catching nothing, but only to let the small ones get out. - Dr. Smith Thammachua Foreign Fisheries Division: Now, there is an international plan concerning reduction on fishing capacity all countries agreed and implemented. It is difficult for Thailand; actually, it should be stated in the National Plan before the year 2005, so that it should be guideline for further action plans, and so on. - Mr. Anan Chusak President of Surat Thani Provincial Fishermen Association: Fishers believe DOF, but there is no continuity in working for solving problems by DOF. Push nets are destructive gear for fishery resources only for some species, please consider this again. Limitation of horse power may cover other issues. To reduce push nets must know the size of fish stocks, existing fishing boat numbers legal or illegal. consequently, we can regulate how many boats should be reduced year by year by means of motivation initiation in changing careers must be secure and clear orientation. - Dr. Mala Supongpan Senior Expert on Marine Fisheries, Department of Fisheries: Clarify that after finish this Meeting and the fourth one all information will be analyzed, combined and concluded to the High Senior Level Meeting that will be held in August The High Senior level means not only government sector but also private sectors that include fishery and fishery related officials, policy makers, university instructors, NGO and etc to consult, discuss and exchange ideas as well as to formulate action plan to be implemented for the reduction on fishing capacity especially for trawl and push net fisheries in Thailand. - Dr. Smith Thammachua Foreign Fisheries Division: Some topics in the Fisheries Act 1947 are out of date and some sections are not valid at present. It should be revised, reformed and improved but not yet being stated in this Meeting to solve the problems. 15. Closing the Meeting by the Senior Expert on Marine Fisheries (Dr. Mala Supongpan) Before ending this meeting, I d like to inform the meeting that there are four times Stakeholder Consultation Meeting, three Meeting were finished including this meeting. The last SCM will be held in the southern Gulf zone in Songkhla Province in April After that, the High Senior Level Meeting will be held somewhere in Bangkok or neighboring provinces in August 2006 that has not yet defined an exactly date and place. The comparison of the management issued from the three SCM meetings are concluded as follow: 37

44 Trawl fisheries group Similar issues: o Limitation of fishing boat numbers o Fishing by zone o Expansion of prohibited zone o Artificial reef installation Different issues: o Change of trawl license to other gears such as anchovy falling net o Improve of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives Notification 1999 o Fund for control, protection, promote and development of fisheries Push net fishery group Similar issues: o Control numbers of fishing boat / make surveys and open for registration o Fishers in collaboration with Provincial Fisheries Associations should take action in proofing of the same boat owners who really got license yearly from the DOF o Motivation initiation to career change Different issues: o Laws and regulations should be efficiently enforced o Regulation of engine powers of push netter not more than 300 hp This Meeting comes to end at last. Many participants have given useful ideas and suggestions. Thanks for all and having a good trip back home. The Meeting is now declared to close. 38

45 The 3 rd Stakeholder Consultation Meeting Reduction of Trawl and Push net Fishing Capacity in the Upper South Zone 11 th -13 th January 2006, Diamond Hotel, Surat Thani Province Agenda 11 th January Registration Lunch Break Introduction of places and participants Staff organizing meeting 12 th January Welcome Speech by the Surat Thani Provincial Deputy Governor -Report by the Director of the Marine Fisheries Technology Research and Development Institute (Mr. Taweep Boonwanit) -Opening address by the Deputy Director General of the Department of Fisheries (Dr. Somying Piamsomboon) National policy of marine fisheries by the Deputy Director General of the Department of Fisheries (Dr. Somying Piumsomboon) Photo Session Refreshment Trawl and Push net Management by the Director of the Marine Fisheries Technology Research and Development Institute (Mr. Taweep Boonwanit) Background of the Seminar by the Senior Expert on Marine Fisheries, Department of Fisheries (Dr. Mala Supongpan) Trawl and Push Net Fisheries in the Middle Gulf of Thailand by a representative from the Middle Gulf Marine Fisheries Research and Development Center, Chumphon (Mr. Udomsin Aksornpa-op) Laws and Regulations concerning Trawl and Push Net Fishery Management by Director of Fisheries Administrative and Management Bureau, Department of Fisheries (Mr. Pinkponk Wichaidit) 39

46 Results of the Survey on Attitude on Trawl and Push Net Fisheries by an instructor from ABAC (Dr. Thanapat Hapipat) Results of the Socio-economic Studies by an instructor from Kasetsart University, Bangkok (Mr. Teerawudhi Krimak) Lunch Break All participants are separated into 2 Groups for consultation: Trawl Fisheries Group and Push Net Fishery Group 13 th January Report on results of the discussion: Trawl Fisheries Group Push Net Fishery Group Lunch Break Evaluation and Closing Session Remarks: - Refreshment at a.m. and p.m. - Dinner at p.m. 40

47 Report The 4 th Stakeholder Consultation Meeting The Reduction of Trawl and Push net Fishing Capacity in the Southern Gulf of Thailand 26 th -28 th April 2006, Diamond Plaza Hotel, Hatyai, Songkhla Province The 4 th SCM on The Reduction of Trawl and Push net Fishing Capacity in the Southern Gulf of Thailand was held during 26 th -28 th April, 2006 at Diamond Plaza Hotel, Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province. The Meeting was financially supported under the project GCP/RAS/199/SWE Strengthening the Capacity in Fisheries Information Gathering for Management Project The participants comprised representatives from trawl, push net and small-scale fishers, Fisheries Association, university instructors and official staffs from the Department of Fisheries of Thailand (DOF), totally 56 participants. 1. Welcome Speech by Vice Governor of Songkhla Province (Mr. Jit Pasompong) As a representative of Songkhla people we are glad and honorable that the Department of Fisheries (DOF) chooses Songkhla Province to hold a Meeting and every concerning stakeholders come to participate in this Meeting. Songkhla is divided into 16 districts, covers the area of 7, square kilometers with 155- kilometer coastline length. Provincial economy relies mainly on agriculture, tourism and services, trading, transport and others. These made a GPP of 81,883 Millions baht. Songkhla is a potential province and ready to become the center of several important centers such as education, public health and fisheries. There are 1,236 fishing vessels including 783 numbers of trawlers and 453 numbers of others. Many fish processing industries are located which are producing animal foods to export items. Songkhla is also highly potential in tourism and services. There are several standard hotels, delicious restaurants and standard health massages. Thanks again to the DOF that chooses Songkhla for the meeting place and we are wishing all of the participants happy during stay in Songkhla. Outputs from this Meeting would be useful and beneficial not only to fishers but also to the country through the appropriated management. 2. The Director of the Marine Fisheries Research and Technological Development Institute (Mr. Taweep Boonwanit) reported the meeting: We are grateful to the Vice Governor that can have free time to welcome the participants and thanks to DOF-experts and all participants attending the 4 th SCM on The Reduction of Trawl and Push net Fishing Capacity in the Southern Gulf of Thailand. The objectives and the general fisheries situation were informed as the following: At present, Thai fishery production is decline especially in the Gulf of Thailand due to rapidly develop of Thai marine fisheries and increase of fishing fleets from the past. That reflected to the Thai fisher adaptation to make more profits among the difficulties between natural resources turn over and the ways of livelihoods. The natural resources management e.g. reduction of fishing efforts is one of the 41

48 management tools to manage the resources for reasonable utilization and not destroy marine habitats and biodiversity. Perceiving the importance of resources management, the DOF and FAO under the project GCP/RAS/199/SWE Strengthening the Capacity in Fisheries Information Gathering for Management Project in collaborated to organize the 4 th SCM to get the best solution for management of fishing capacity which at first is aimed to the gear type that catch large amount and non-selective species and created more conflicts e.g. trawlers and push netters. The Meeting is opened for stakeholders to exchange ideas and share responsible on the reduction of fishing capacity especially for trawl and push net fisheries. The Meeting is participated by various agencies and stakeholders including trawl and push net fishers, university instructors, FAO staffs and concerning government services, and observers totally 70 persons. 2. Opening the Meeting by the Expert on Fisheries Management (Dr. Poolsup Virunhakul) After expressing her appreciation to all participants of the Meeting, she continued as following: Fisheries of Thailand have been so highly developed, that could influence important way of life of the fishing communities. Fishing in the Gulf of Thailand stays beneath increasing pressures from outside and inside, including the pressures from increasing population and fishing boats which lead to the reduction of fishery resources and their habitats. Trends of resource reducing are long-term, that might cause extinction of some species. Yet small-sized economic fish are mainly captured in catch results. Thailand is now considered and criticized as overexploited fishery resources that we have used much more resources than to sustain the resources, especially for the trawl and push net fisheries. The Government by the DOF and concerning agencies have got understandings on these problems and have issued and extended the fishery policy both national and international waters through several meetings and conferences for responsible fisheries management, resource enhancement, improvement of coastal fishing grounds and reduce conflicts among resources users. Implementation of any measure might affect some concerning persons, more or less. Therefore, the DOF and concerning agencies have to bring these issues to this Meeting for discussion and exchange ideas. In general, fishing operations which are numerous, excessive, non-selective and problematic are considered as the first priority to be managed and reduced the fishing capacity. This brain-storm Meeting seems good because it opens for sharing ideas and experiences among DOF-experts, researchers, university instructors, fishers, related fishing business owners and other stakeholders to get useful and determinative information for further guidelines on the reduction of fishing capacity e.g. reduction on numbers of trawl or numbers of push net. Finally, she presided the Meeting successful and meaningful. 4. DOF Policy on Marine Fisheries Management (Dr. Poolsup Virunhakul) The marine fisheries management policy consisted of 2 parts as following: 4.1 The fisheries outside Thai Waters The former fisheries in the neighboring countries were under fishing licensing and quota systems. At present, almost countries will be changed their systems to be joint-venture system and the fishery 42

49 products must be only landed in those bilateral mutual countries. The situation of these mutual benefit countries are depended on their basic facilities, market flow and fish price as well as their politic conditions. Diplomatic negotiations are important strategies that Thailand tries to substitute those countries by means of technical assistance e.g. in aquaculture, health care and diagnosis, trust and credit making. Illegally invading into neighboring fishing grounds must be thoroughly illuminated as an IUU issue. In the international waters, DOF tries to contribute and support tuna fishing fleets and extend the tuna purse seine and tuna long line projects to substitute demand and supply for tuna raw material which have been imported about 600,000 ton in each year. By the way, Thailand is also a member of the IOTC to obtain the quota on tuna fishing in the Indian Ocean. 4.2 The Fisheries inside Thai waters The DOF handle the policy of sustainable fisheries by optimal mechanism and suitable technology such as suitable types of fishing gear which are highly selective for target species, resources and environmentally friendly fisheries, long-term economic sustainability and social acceptance. For fisheries development efficiently and long-term advantages, these 4 items must be considered as following - Fishery laws and regulations must be strictly practiced; the fishers must follow laws and regulations. - Resource enhancement as seed releasing and artificial reef installation projects must be highlighted. - Cooperative collaborations from fishers in resources possession and reasonable utilization for long-term advantages - Control and limit the excessive effort to meet the resources availability and sustainability. 5. Trawl and push net management policy by the Director of the Marine Fisheries Research and Technological Development Institute (Mr. Taweep Boonwanit) Problems affecting fisheries are over exploited rather than to sustain fisheries that due to excessive fishing capacity especially number of boats and small-sized fish capturing. Resulting new recruitments are poorly small leading to recruitment over fish. Reduction of fishing capacity seems to be the best solution that both number and efficiency of gear must be considered. To reduce fishing efficiency, methods of fishing and limit types of fishing gear must be considered e.g. regulation of certain types of gear and mesh size regulation, prohibition of non-selective gear, limit some methods of fishing - not to use light luring is an example, etc. To implement the reduction of fishing capacity is important issue that should be considered about the types of fishing gear, number of boats that are appropriate to the sizes of fish stocks and the direct impact to the consumers both quantitative and qualitative fishery products, impact to fishers, marine environment and the fishing operation that were accepted by national and international forum. The recent measures to manage trawl fisheries are no entry of new boat, no enlargement of existing boat, enforcement and penalty of illegal boats or no license fishing gear, fishing by zone, buy back program for push net and accessories, closed area and season for spawners and juvenile fishes, 43

50 nursing areas are reserved and demarcated area claimed to limit certain type of fishing, mesh size regulation, revised existing Fisheries Act B.E Background of the Stakeholder Consultation Meetings (Dr. Mala Supongpan) FAO requested the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives to co-sharing in implementing the project GCP/RAS/199/SWE Strengthening the Capacity in Fisheries Information Gathering for Management. The Department of Fisheries as a function Department has developed the project in collaborating to the global initiate on the management of the fishing capacity. A Committee (Dr. Somying Piumsomboon is the consultant of the committee) was set to consult the objectives, implementation and the expected output of the project. Four coastal zone areas of the Gulf of Thailand are assigned to have SCMs for each zone and the four Research Centers of the Marine Fisheries Research and Development Bureau are responsible to that zone to organizing the SCM. The Director of Marine Research and Technological Development Instiute is the Chairperson who responses to facilitate all of the Meetings. The National Consultant (Dr. Mala Supongpan) is a key person to oversee the project accessible for successful as assigned by the Director-General. The Management of Fishing Capacity is in fact international issue, that should be accomplished in 2005 but Thailand as a member country of the FAO is quite late to take this issue in action seriously. In Thailand, it was evident that trawls and push nets are highly potential in catch and excessive numbers. Both types of gear are considered to be first priority to be managed and reduced the excessive number of boats. On the process of operation, brain-storm meetings among trawl and push net fishers and concerned agencies in the Gulf of Thailand are important tools to collect ideas and opinions for management. The whole budget funding from the project was divided into 3 parts of operations; the first one was used to hire the ABAC-poll to survey on the opinions of trawl and push net fishermen and concerning business. The second one is used to hire the Kasetsart University to survey on socio-economic issues of trawl and push net fishers and related processors. Both surveys covered 4 areas of the coastal zone of the Gulf of Thailand, the Eastern zone, the Upper Gulf zone, the Upper South zone and the Southern zone of the Gulf of Thailand. The third one was used by the DOF to hold four zones SCMs and a High Senior Meeting will held to report the results of the four SCM and brainstorming for the Plan of Action for Reduction on Trawl and Push net Fishing Capacity. The project will be ended at the end of this year (2006). The first SCM was held during 21 st -23 rd August 2005 in the Upper Gulf of Thailand, Cha-am, Petchaburi Province. The second SCM, during 23 rd -25 th November 2005 in the Eastern Gulf of Thailand, Rayong Province. The third SCM, during 11 th -13 th January 2006 in the Upper South of the Gulf of Thailand, Surat Thani Province. This Meeting is the fourth SCM, being held in the Southern Gulf of Thailand and the High Senior Meeting will be held in August Then the output of the project will be presented in the international conference in October

51 7. Trawl and Push net Fisheries Status in the Southern Gulf of Thailand (Mr. Amnuay Kongprom). The Southern Gulf of Thailand is composed of sea-shore stretching from Nakorn Si Thammarat, Songkhla, Pattani and Narathiwat Provinces. This area is well-known for its demersal fish resources. Marine fisheries in the Southern Gulf are developed in the same way as well as other parts of the Gulf of Thailand. At present, demersal resources are decreasing due to the development of trawl fishing gear that develops to high efficiency for good capture, the fisheries are less-responsible, destructive gear was still used to damage marine habitats, ignorance of fishery laws or regulations and lack of appropriated and efficient management system. The trends of number of trawl and push net registration showed fluctuation during 1979 to 2003 in Southern Gulf of Thailand (Nakorn Sri Thammarat, Songkhla, Pattani and Narathiwat Provinces). From the numbers increased rapidly from 2,995 in 1979 to 4,430 in In 1982 was the first time that DOF opened for re-registration for trawl and push net resulted high number of gear registered in After 1982 the number of trawl and push net was freezing, no new entry. A decreasing trend showed during that the number was decreasing to 2,228 in 1988., The year 1989 was the second time that DOF opened for re-registration by politic intervention therefore the number increased to be 4,341. After that, the number decreased to be 2,131 in In 1996 the number (2,317) was not so different to the previous years (ranging 2,131 to 3,938 in ) even DOF opened again for the third time for re-registration (1996). From the number was ranging 1,549-2,317. In the year 2003 the registered number was 1,974 (registration, statistical number) comparing to the number 3,360 that DOF had special requested the fishers under the Sea Food Bank Project to show their existing number. The different number between two sources of data showed that there still have no registered trawl and push net operating in the fisheries. Due to decreasing resources, trawl and push net took more efforts in their fishing operations; they increased their fishing efforts to have more days fishing in each trip or more hours in each haul. The fishing grounds were also farther. Some bigger sized boats went to fish in the international waters and sharing with other boats for transportation using the same boat from fishing grounds to landing places to lower their fishing costs. Total catch from trawls and push nets in the Southern Gulf of Thailand trended to increase from 115,212 tons in 1971 to 328,972 tons in During 1988 to 1991, the catch was rather constant ranging 293, ,490 tons. Furthermore, the catch dropped down to 196,021 tons in 1992, due to oil price crisis impact from the Persian Gulf War. The catch in 1998 increase then dropped down again in 1999 and be 162,980 tons in The major composition was trash fish or small sized fish. During the trash fish composition was fluctuated from % of the total catch. Exploitation of small sized fish caused the resource reduction and not sustain to fish stocks. Consequently, catch of the bigger sized fish becomes small amount. Catches of small-sized otter board trawls during slightly decreased, the catch rate was less than 20 kg/hour and the composition of trash fish was varied ranging %. 45

52 Catches of medium-sized otter board trawls during were fluctuated, the catch rates were ranging kg/hour and the composition of trash fish was varied and ranging %. Catch rate of pair trawls extremely decreased from kg/hour in 1993 to kg/hour in 2005 and major composition was economic fish more than 50% of the total catch. During , catch rate of large push nets seemed to be stable between and kg/hour and trash fish composition ranged %. However, catch rate of the small push nets was slightly fluctuated between and kg/hour, trash fish composition trended to increase from % in 1990 to % in The Research Vessel conducted during surveying on the abundance of marine resources in the Southern Gulf of Thailand. The results were found that during the catch rate rapidly dropped down from kg/hour in 1966 to kg/hour in The catch rate in 1976 slightly increased to kg/hour and gradually decline to kg/hour in During , the catch rate trends slightly increase. Most catch composition were economic fish ranging % of the total catch. Changes in catch composition were remarkable. Dominant species changed from such large-sized and long-living type as rays, catfish and snapper to such small-sized, fast growing and short-living type as squids, goat fish and cuttlefish. Important issues of trawls and push nets in the Southern Gulf of Thailand were excessive numbers of the fishing boats that were not appropriated to the size of fish stocks, a lot of non-registered fishing boats, conflicts between officials and fishermen or among resource users at the same fishing grounds. Oil price difficulties, unfair fish price and labor shortage. 8. Laws and Regulations Concerning Trawls and Push Nets by Director of the License and Fisheries Management Institue (Mr Prathet Sor-ruk) Problems related to the present fisheries were excessive number of fishing boats, fishing resources declined, high cost of operation, low price of fish, no financial support, weak in resource conservation and protection awareness, weak in law and regulation enforcement. These problems bring the fisher career to critical situation and then any resolution is urgently needed. It was indicated that the marine resources have been lost their prosperity. Fish caught by trawlers using cod end mesh size 40-mm dropped down from kg/hour in 1966 to kg/hour in From research survey using cod end mesh size 25-mm, the catch rate dropped from kg/hour in 1984 to kg/hour in It is time to begin for reducing the fishing capacity, the gear with highest efficiency liked trawls and push nets must be the first to be reduced. In terms of fisheries management to success in reduction of fishing capacity it needs at least 3 factors e.g. strong fisheries policy from higher executives, cooperative collaboration of the fishermen (core factor) and laws and legislations which are related to trawls and push nets such as the Fisheries Act B.E (1947) Section 32 and other concerned e.g. Thai Boat Act 1938 and Navigation in Thai-waters Act 1913, the Biodiversity Act B.E (1992), etc. The control and enforcement are authorized under the Fisheries Act, Section 32, namely 46

53 Limit of mesh sizes or sieve sizes; sizes, types and numbers of gears and accessories operating in permitted fishing grounds Strictly ban of some types of fishing gear Regulation on fishing operation Regulation on location of stationary fishing gears Closed area and closed season at nursing areas and spawning season Regulation of species, size and maximal quantity of catch Absolute prohibition catch of some species List of available laws and regulations on trawls and push nets in Thailand: 1. Trawls and push nets are not allowed to operate within 3,000 m zone from shoreline, around islands and also 400 m around any stationary gear which are legally permitted (Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives Notification issued on 20 th July 1972). 2. Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives Notification issued on 26 th June 1975: Prohibition of trawls and push nets in Chonburi Province for six months. 3. Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives Notification (Second issue) issued on 17 th October 1980: Prohibited zone for trawls and push nets; 1,000m around Tarutao Islands. 4. Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives Notification issued on 11 th April 1985: Prohibition of some fishing gears during the spawning season and in the nursing grounds for a certain period (Closing period in the Andaman Sea). 5. Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives Notification issued on 14 th December 1998: Prohibition of trawls and push nets in Pung-nga Bay 6. Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives Notification issued on 24 th September1999: Prohibition of some fishing gears during the spawning season and in the nursing grounds for a certain period in Prachuab Kirikan, Chumphon and Surat Thani Provinces. 7. Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives Notification issued on 17 th July 2003: Prohibition of push nets in some certain areas (Pattani Province). 8. Chonburi Province Notification issued on 23 rd March 1999: Prohibition of beam trawls in Chonburi Province. 9. Prachuab Kirikan Province Notification issued on 19 th October 1999: Prohibited zone for some types of fishing gear in some certain areas in Prachuab Kirikan Province (Bang Sapan Project). 10. Trat Province Notification issued on 28 th March 2000: Prohibited zone for trawls, push nets and Short-necked clam dredges in Chang Strait, Trat Province. 9. Results of ABAC Poll in the Southern Gulf by Assistant Director, ABAC-Poll, Assumption University (Dr. Tanapat Hapipat). It was a research survey with quantitative methodology in analysis and evaluation, which was carried out among 3 groups of crews and employees (202 samples), business owners (218 samples) and processing business owners (26 samples). Field survey was done in the first 2 groups while for the last 47

54 group, telephone communication was accomplished. The survey took 18 weeks during April - August The results are as following: 1. The crew and employee group - General information: The age of crew and employee (35.1%) are mostly years old; 62.3% educated in primary school level (6-years) or lesser; 55.0% are married and have children. Family members (27.1%) are 5 persons in average; 47.5% earn about 5,001-10,000 baht/month, 40.6% have earning equal to their spending, 35.9% report that they are indebt which is averaged around 51,628 baht per household. - Profession information: The fishing experiences of the fishers, about 50.5% used to practice other jobs before fishing, e.g. general worker, farmer and traders. It was found that 17.8% have extra jobs and 69.4% are outside fishing sector. Problems in fishing career were no social welfares as other career outside fisheries (58.4%), less fish to catch (42.9%) and rough weather condition (40.4%). However, most of them satisfied with their fishing careers (71.3%). - Trend to choose alternative jobs in future and ideas for changing career: Most of the crews (53.5%) have got neither skill nor knowledge even ability to take other jobs than fishing practices. In terms of future planning, they have got neither plan nor expectation in future career (36.1%), some intend to keep on fishing career (18.8%). Motivation, inspiration or attraction to take alternative jobs, income and place are attractive factors same place as hometown (22.4%), better income than fishing (18.4%) and steady jobs and income (17.4%). Acceptance of Government policy on fishing effort reduction by taking alternative jobs most are acceptable with conditions (39.1%) and the important condition is assured profession. 39.1% gave no precise answers about their interesting jobs, only 24.7% said that was trading business. 2. The business owner group - General information: 60.1% are male. Most (30.7%) are more 40 years of age. 64.2% educated 6-years in primary school or lesser. - Profession information: 49.3% are fishers, never practiced other jobs else. 79.3% got experience in fishing more than 5 years. Some fishers who conduct other jobs the same time, 7.9 % have jobs related to fisheries. 26.6% hire both Thai and foreign crews, 25.2%, Thai and foreigners but 1.4%, only foreigners. - Trends of business and expectation in 2005: During first 3 months in 2005, most of them (39.5%) found no change, 16.1% slightly better and 0.9% - steadily better. Comparison between the first three months in 2005 to 2004, the trends are worse, because of decreasing in catch, prices of fish product lower, net profit smaller, number of employees no change (81.7%). Problems expensive oil price (67.8%), prices of fish product not good (37.9%) and reduction of fishing resources (13.3%). Expectation for the trend in latter half year, 16.9% - worse but better. - Modification in fishing business and inspiration to take alternative professions: 69.4% no interesting in alternative jobs in 3 years, 62.8% no inspiration, while 17.6% no clearly decision depending on markets and oil price. 9.3% agree to change to others not related fisheries. 3.7% agree to change, but still in fisheries. In case of Government providing jobs 46.3% interested. Most are interested in 48

55 trading business and the government must support about the finance. In terms of fishing effort reduction, 68.7% was affected, 38.0% agreeable with government supports e.g. control of oil price and fishing product-price guarantee. However, 33.8% did not agree, no conditions. 3. The processing business group - General information: 76.9% are female. Most (34.7%) are about years of age. 50.1% graduated Bachelor degrees or higher. 61.6% are managers not owners but got decision influence. - Profession information: 30.8% and 30.7% work on this business 1-5 years and 15 years respectively. 69.3% carry on only one business, use employees (52.0%) and 20.0% hire foreigners as employees. - Results of running business and expectation in 2005: During the first three months 57.8% steady, 3.8% got continually profit. Comparison to the same period in 2004 worse than the previous year; products, price value and net profit are dropped. 92.3% still have the same employees. Problems higher oil prices (47.6%) and short of raw materials (47.6%). Expectation for the trend in latter half year, 50.0% better, no change and 23.1 worse. - Adjustment to business and investment and inspiration to take alternative jobs: 92.0% - no planning for other business else, 84.0% intend to carry on the same capacity and business. In terms of Government policy about reduction of fishing effort 80.8% - affected to the production, that might be lower, higher cost of operation, lower income and loss of profit. Acceptance of the measurement policy 52.0% - acceptable, 24.0% - can accept with condition, that the Government has to help somehow, 24.0% - not acceptable. 4. Limitation of the research - Language barriers with foreigner employees - Scope of sample size may not fit the present population size, sampling was based on DOF-Fisheries Statistics in Limit budget and cost of operations 10. Study Results on Socio-economics of trawls and push nets in Nakorn Si Thammarat, Songkhla and Pattani Provinces by Kasetsart University, Mr. Therawut Kraimak Studies on socio-economic structures of trawl and push net fishermen in Nakorn Si Thammarat, Songkhla and Pattani Provinces are based on 80 samples of otter-board trawls <14 m (12.50%), m (37.50%), m (17.50%), >25 m (2.50%), pair-trawls (7.50%), beam trawls (1.25%) and push nets (10.00%). The results are as following General information of the owners Average age of the owners of otter-board trawls <14 m, m, m, >25 m, pair-trawls, beam trawls and push nets are 49, 48, 47, 44, 61, 44 and 48 years. Experiences in fishing operation - otter-board trawls years, pair-trawls years, beam trawls 19 years and push nets years. Educations 71.25% primary school, 11.25% three years in secondary school, 10.00% high school and 7.50% bachelor degrees. 49

56 10.2 Professional information of the owners 91.25% are fishers as primary career, 8.75% are secondary. Fishing income - otter-board trawls 78.49%, pair-trawls 72.50%, beam trawls 99.57% and push nets 100% of the total income. Secondary careers: otter-board trawls and pair-trawls trading, aquaculture, gardening, service and fish processing. No other jobs are taken in addition by the beam trawls and push nets Man powers in fishing operation Numbers of employees: otter-board trawls <14 m 5 persons/boat, m 6 persons/boat, m 8 persons/boat, >25 m 13 persons/boat; pair trawls m 10 persons/boat, m - 17 persons/boat; beam trawls <14 m 5 persons/boat, m 4 persons/boat; push nets <14 m 3 persons/boat, m 4 persons/boat and m 5 persons/boat Ownership of pieces of land Otter-board trawl owners have got their own pieces of land average 4.04 Rai/person, which is used for agriculture. Pair trawls 8.0 Rai/person, which is also used for agriculture. Beam trawls who have their own houses possess little piece of land for agriculture, but push nets possess only a piece of land for living not enough for agriculture Cost of boat-hulls Otter-board trawls: <14 m (18 years old) - 517,000 baht, m (18 years old) 1,062,069 baht, m (11 years old) 3,121,429 baht and >25 m (15 years old) 10,000,000 baht. Pair trawls: m (17 years old) 1,725,000 baht and m (5 years old) 6,000,000 baht. Beam trawls: <14 m (19 years old) - 416,667 baht and m (17 years old) 418,571 baht. Push nets: <14 m (14 years old) - 200,000 baht, m (24 years old) 516,667 baht and m (14 years old) 3,000,000 baht Composition of cost of operation Operations of all gears have got the same cost items, such as Fuel cost highest cost due to the oil-crisis Wages for crews, sharing of profit, wages of captains: pair trawls 10,000-40,000 baht/person/month, otter-board trawls and push nets <10,000 baht/person/month. Maintenance: for each renovation in boat garage takes 100, ,000 baht Cost of ice Cost of lubrications 10.7 Fishing problems Such problems as higher prices of oil, man powers, reduction of fishing resources, low-priced fishing products, others such as conflicts among the fishers and invasion into extraterritorial waters are problems for trawls and push nets. 50

57 10.8 Opinions on changing the profession Most of the otter-board trawls no ideas to change their own ancestor fishing tradition and fishing career is liberal. Pair trawls prefer keeping their own boats because most of them possess the factories and need to fish for raw material. Although the fishing could not get profit, they can still earn for other ways. Beam trawls and push nets affected by oil-crisis and want to change their profession Needs for help in case of changing profession 1. Buying-back of fishing boats 2. Construction of artificial reefs 3. Providence of pieces of land for agriculture 4. Providence of legal fishing zones in extra-territory waters 5. Regulations of precise fishing zones and seasons 6. Introduction of conservative fishing 11. Results of Groups Consultations 11.1 Trawl Fishery Group Opinions on Reduction of trawl fishing effort Problems on trawl operations 1. Reduction of fishing resources 2. Excessive numbers of fishing boats 3. Shortage of operation costs 4. Bankrupt: stop/give up fishing due to less catch and low price of fishing products 5. High cost of operation due to oil prices 6. Illegal fishing in prohibited areas due to non-strictly control and lack of sense of conservation 7. Lack of man powers due to high-risky jobs Proposed solutions 1. Strict measurement on non-licensed or licensed boats, which are operating other gears than the certain permitted one 2. Willingly buying-back of fishing boats by the Government 3. Limitation of fishermen s number (quota) to suit to resource 4. Strict enforcement of the fishery laws. 5. Regulations of seasonal prohibition to fish in certain areas 6. Enlargement of mesh size 7. Promotion of fishing community participation such as establishment of local community 51

58 8. Transformation to suitable profession and contribution of knowledge and capital to those who want to take alternative jobs, as example case 9. Construction of artificial reefs by old used-train wagons, concrete blocks or the bought-back boat hulls 10. Support accessory jobs 11. Resource (boats) capitalization 12. Substitution of alternative energies such as NGV or Bio-diesel 13. Foundation of risky jobs for Thai labors 14. Mechanism or system for control of boat numbers Prioritization of the issues for Trawl Fishery Group Issues Scores Order 2. Willingly buying-back of fishing boats by the Government Strict enforcement of the fishing laws Strict measurement on non-licensed or licensed boats, which are 7 3 operating other gears than the certain permitted one 7. Promotion of fishing community participation such as establishment of local associations Enlargement of mesh size to suit Construction of artificial reefs by old used-bogies, concrete block or the bought-back boat hulls Regulations of seasonal prohibition to fish in certain areas Transformation to suitable profession and contribution of knowledge and capital to those who want to take alternative jobs, as 26 8 example case 3. Limitation of fishermen s number (quota) to suit Substitution of alternative energies such as NGV or Bio-diesel Mechanism or system for control of boat numbers Resource (boats) capitalization Support accessory jobs Foundation of risky jobs for Thai labors 6 14 Suggestions from the floor for Trawl Fishing Group Mr. Suriyan Wichitlekakarn, scientist from SEAFDEC, shared his view on willingly purchase of fishing boats price regulation and condition must be determined between the Government and the fishermen, including depreciation cost. In case the purchase project is practical, how could the boat number be limited? Are there any mechanisms to limit the numbers, to ban the new-bounded boats or to reuse of the boats? And for non-licensed or operations without permission how to manage? It should be better to manage non-licensed boats and to promote the participation of the fishermen to respect and concern more about fishing laws and regulations, as well as the planning for taking alternative jobs. Contribution of knowledge in alternative jobs should be done as pioneers. To assure the new profession, not only to shift the problems aside. Mr. Sophon Chumyuang fishermen s representative. Boat purchase should be good idea because the money can be used for running the alternative profession in future. Any measure to protect 52

59 returning to fishing career is not necessary because the fishers are bored to be back fishing due to the problems such as expensive oil price, foreign labors, low-priced products and landing places. Even the new generations are not interested in fishing at all. The Expert on Marine Fisheries, Dr. Mala Supongpan: Boat purchasing was really not new policy for DOF. For some years ago, push net boat purchasing was implemented but not yet for trawl boats. At that time we had also planned to request ADB for buy back program for trawlers but the project was quitted due to the economic down turn of the country. This time, the DOF may set up this program again, from our several Meetings under the project we have consulted and exchanged ideas from stakeholders of four zones in the Gulf of Thailand and the plan of action will be come out after the High Senior Meeting in August Mr. Prasidhi Leelawat Vice President of Si-Chol Fisheries Association: the government should help the fishermen urgently, particularly those who got problems. The government should set up a team work to conduct a survey on fishermen who want to change their profession and consider how to, sometimes no need to use money or not much money. Wish all stakeholders help to think how to solve the problems Push Net Fishery Group Problems on push net operations 1. Higher operation cost (continuously increasing of oil-prices, but prices of fish product are not so varied as) 2. Price regulation of fish product no rights 3. Government duty on fishing control no continuation 4. Non-strict enforcement of laws 5. Invasion of strangers push nets 6. Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperative Notification on Prohibition of Push nets in Pattani was issued without consideration on geographic characteristics and the Government did not help about the compensation (the large-sized push nets fishing in off-shore areas are to response for the small-sized which were operating illegally.) 7. No participation in resource management 8. Declining of fishing resources 8. Operation costs for small-scale fishing are increased, the fishers have to leave out the fishery sector to take alternative profession Proposed solutions 1. Provision of low-priced oil by the Government (establishment of a cooperative) 2. Tanker service in the sea 3. Price assurance of trash-fish not less than 5 baht/kg by the Government 4. Problem-solving by the Government must be serious 5. Enforcement of laws and regulations by the Government must be serious 6. Local organization should take care of 3-km inshore and the for the DOF - 3-km offshore 53

60 7. Fishers should form a group and look after themselves, in corresponding to government officials advices 8. Government officials should support fisher groups 9. Fishing operations should be done in the same place where the fishing boats were registered 10. Concrete and clearly zoning of fishing areas 11. The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperative Notification on Prohibition of Push nets in Pattani should be revised by impacted fishermen 12. Purchasing of push net boats and gear by the Government should be fair and reasonable prices 13. During juristic process, the push nets should be allowed to fish in some certain areas 14. The publics - stakeholders should involve in issuing any Notification of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives 15. Any project concerning fisheries and the Ministry s Notification should be also considered by the corporative committee 16. Implementation of catch quota 17. Enlargement of mesh sizes 18. Limitation of fishing boat numbers 19. Public awareness on resource conservation for the youth by education, training and initiation of active groups for fishing resource conservation 20. Construction of artificial reefs 21. Construction of fish-frying banks 22. Size regulation of fish for best utilization 23. Promotion of alternative professions out of fishery sector 24. Establishment of fishing gear cooperatives 25. Buying-back of boats and gears from fishers who want to give up the fishing career Proposed measures 1. Low-priced oil (cooperative) and/or tanker service by the Government 2. Price assurance of trash fish not less than 5 baht/kg 3. Seriousness of problem solving / enforcement of laws and regulations by the Government - Local organizations take care of 3-km inshore; DOF, 3-km offshore - Formation of fishermen groups, the fishers look after themselves, in corresponding to government officials advices - Government officials should support fisher groups 4. Concrete and clearly zoning of fishing areas - Fishing operations should be done in the same place where the fishing boats were registered 5. Buying-back of the fishing gears - Fishing boat buying with reasonable prices - Fishing gear buying from fishers who want to give up the fishing career with reasonable prices 6. Any project concerning fisheries and the Ministry s Notification should be also considered by the corporative committee / public poll among the stakeholders 54

61 7. Enlargement of mesh size / size regulation of fish for utilization 8. Implementation of catch quota 9. Limitation of fishing gears 10. Public awareness on resource conservation for the youth by education, training and initiation of active groups for fishing resource conservation 11. Resource enhancement - Construction of artificial reefs - Construction of fish-frying banks 12. Promotion of alternative professions out of fishing 13. Establishment of fishing gear cooperatives Suggestions from the floor for the push net fishery group Mr. Permsak Perngmak- Fisheries Biologist: in case of the collapse of trawls and push nets sounds uncomfortable and worried on a position of DOF-official, wish all stakeholders to emphasis on this important issue of the management. Prioritization of the issues from Push Net fishery Group Issues Scores Order 4. Concrete and clearly zoning of fishing areas - Fishing operations should be done in the same place wher the fishing boats were registered Enlargement of mesh size / size regulation of fish for utilization Limitation of number of fishing gear Public awareness on resource conservation for the youth by education, training and initiation of active groups for fishing resource conservation Resource enhancement - Construction of artificial reefs Construction of fish-frying banks 3. Seriousness of problem solving / enforcement of laws and regulations by the Government - Local organizations take care of 3-km inshore; DOF, 3-km offshore - Formation of fishermen groups, the fishers look after themselves, in corresponding to government officials advices - Government officials should support fisher groups Low-priced oil (cooperative) and/or tanker service by the Government Buying-back of the fishing gears - Fishing boat buying with reasonable prices Fishing gear buying from fishers who want to give up the fishing career with reasonable prices 12. Promotion of alternative professions out of fishery sector Any project concerning fisheries and the Ministry s Notification should be also considered by the corporative committee / public poll among the stakeholders Implementation of catch quota Establishment of fishing gear cooperatives Price assurance of trash fish not less than 5 baht/kg

62 Mr. Prasidhi Leelawat Vice President of Si-Chol Fisheries association: some paragraphs in context of laws are not practical e.g. prohibition of push nets 25-km from shore. Ms. Pranee Doenchai - push net fisher: regarding to the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperative Notification on Prohibition of Push nets in Pattani nowhere the commercial push nets could operate the fishers must be asked whether they could survive or accept or not. To save the push nets, some certain areas should be available for fishing. Wish all stakeholders to consider this matter because the problems of foraging are more serious than others. Mr. Muhamasukri Masaning President of the Pattani small-scaled fishermen Association: the Government policies have no continuity, in case the reduction of fishing effort and the topic on limitation of trawl and push net areas or zonation of fishing areas were discussed for many times. There were also conflicts among the fishers in some areas on the fishing rights. As it was suggested that the local organizations should take care of fishing areas, but in fact they have no authority to look after the sea. Regarding to the prohibition of push nets in Pattani not every point measures 25-km from shore, in front of Nong-jik and Muang Districts 15 nautical miles, Panarae District 12 nautical miles, Sai-buri District -9 nautical miles and Mai-Kern District - 5 nautical miles. This Announcement was to conserve the resources and to protect fishing areas of the small-scaled fisheries. Now Pattani Province is very cooperative in conservation and resource enhancement in association with Pattani Provincial Fisheries Office such as seed-releasing and construction of artificial reefs resulting in increasing of resources. Mr. Sophon Chum-yuang a trawl fisher: to the point of strict enforcement of laws some articles are not practical for fishermen, to terminate the problems, local rules and practices should be respected and the fishers should take part in issuing of laws. 12. Summary of the Consultation and Closing the Meeting by the Expert on Marine Fisheries (Dr. Mala Supongpan) This Meeting got various issues from the trawl group 14 issues and from push net group 13 issues. Most are similar to other zones, only orders of priority are different. Some areas put the boat purchasing at first order, the other the second. Most issues are similar, like these: 1) Willingly boat purchasing 2) Strict enforcement of laws and regulations 3) Protection of returning 4) Enlargement of mesh size for trawls and push nets 5) Construction of artificial reefs every zone and fishers want artificial reefs for resource enhancement. At present, the CEO Governor can allocate the budget for artificial reef constructions. The DOF receive annual budget to install only 16 sites in a year (One big sized and 15 for small sized ARs). 6) To take alternative jobs, some areas need more education and training. 7) In terms of community participation taking part in the making of laws and regulations, DOF has promoted Community-based Fishery Management projects such as Bang Saphan, Pa-tiew, Pang- 56

63 nga and Kra-bi. The communities have volunteer in monitoring and enforcement, seed-releasing, crabbank projects and design of curriculum for local schools in order to educate the children about fishing resource conservation and etc. The world society is now worrying about starvation due to fisheries resources depleted. The FAO has held up conferences before 1990 and drawn up various programs concerning responsible fisheries, sustainable fisheries, illegal fisheries and management for fishing capacity to persuade the world to implement otherwise we would have no fish to eat. For Thailand still sending raw material to the factories - the statistics of catch are still high, some are originated from foreign countries, but the catch in national waters not high. Problems and conditions related to fishing in outside Thai Waters are increasing e.g. the catch must be landed in the foreign countries which have agreements in fishery cooperation, investment of ice plants, processing plants and frozen factories should be also conducted in those foreign countries. These conditions are highly risky because of inconstancy of the politic situations in those countries. Every country in the world has smaller catch year by year. Nowhere else are not being fished. For the future of Thai fishermen, we have to implement this project on the reduction of fishing capacity especially for trawl and push net fisheries in the Gulf of Thailand. Cooperation and concerning of fishermen are very much required; otherwise the DOF alone could not get any success. The DOF requires a lot the participations from fishermen in every matter because it is directly related to the lives and occupations of the fishermen and fishery related sectors. The outputs from this Meeting will be reported to the next High Senior Meeting that will be held in late August The high senior officials and private sectors from coastal provinces and policy makers will be invited to brainstorming for the policy and planning as well as the action plan for reduction on fishing capacity on trawl and push net fisheries. Short term and long term implementations will be considered in the next Meeting. Fisher representatives will be also invited for brainstorming processes. In May, the APEC will have a Meeting on Sharing Experiences on Fishing Capacity Reduction in Taiwan, in this occasion I will present our experiences on push net fishing boat reduction and inform our activities on the Stakeholder Consultations Meetings under the project GCP/RAS/199/SWE Strengthening the Capacity in Fisheries Information Gathering for Management the Meeting. This evidences are shown that Thailand as a member country in the FAO does not ignore to take action on the reduction of fishing capacity as initiated by FAO. We try to try to implement the sustainable and responsible fisheries as well as the reduction of fishing capacity. By the way, Thai people would be proud for that and we can stay together with the world trade society. Thank you very much to all participants from government, non-government, business, fishery sectors as well as the university instructors who have kindly spent their precious times to join and sharing your experiences in this Meeting. Hope to see you again in other Meetings. Wish you all bon voyage back home and be healthy to fight for hard living and careers. The Meeting is closed now. 57

64 The Fourth Stakeholder Consultation Meeting Reduction on Fishing Capacity of Trawl and Push net Fisheries in the Southern Gulf of Thailand 26 th -28 th April 2006 at Diamond Hotel, Songkhla Province Agenda and Time Table 26 th April Registration to the meetingr Lunch Break Introduction of places and participants meeting between organizing staffs 27 th April Opening Session -Welcome Speech by the Songkhla Vice Governor Mr. Jit Pasompong -Report by the Director of the Marine Fisheries Research and Technological Development Institute Mr. Taweep Boonwanich -Opening address by Dr. Poolsup Virunhakul National policy of marine fisheries Dr. Poolsup Virunhakul Trawl and Push net Management Mr. Taweep Boonwanich Background of the Seminar by the Expert on Marine Fisheries, Department of Fisheries Dr. Mala Supongpan Coffee Break Trawl and Push net Fisheries Status in the Southern Gulf of Thailand by Mr. Amnuay Kongprom from the Southern Gulf Marine Fisheries Research and Development Center Laws and Regulations Concerning Trawls and Push Nets by Mr Prathet Sor-ruk Results of ABAC Poll in the Southern Gulf by Dr. Tanapat Hapipat Study Results on Socio-economics of trawls and push nets in Nakorn Si Thammarat, Songkhla and Pattani Provinces Mr. Therawut Kraimak Lunch Break All participants are separated into 2 Groups for the discussion: Trawl Fishery Group Push Net Fishery Group 58

65 28 th April Report on results of the discussion by Chairpersons of the groups): Trawl Fishery Group Push Net Fishery Group Lunch Break (Continue) Summary of the Consultation and Closing the Meeting Dr. Mala Supongpan Remarks: - Coffee Break Refreshment at a.m. and p.m. - Dinner at p.m. 59

66 Report The High Senior Consultation Meeting The Fishing Capacity Reduction of Trawl and Push net Fisheries in the Gulf of Thailand August 2006 at Maruoy Garden Hotel, Bangkok Under the project FAO/GCP/RAS/199/SWE Strengthening the Capacity in Fisheries Information Gathering for Management Project 1. The High Senior Consultation Meeting on The Fishing Capacity Reduction of Trawl and Push net Fisheries in the Gulf of Thailand was held during August 2006 at Maruay Garden Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand. The meeting was supported by the project FAO GCP/RAS/199/SWE Strengthening the Capacity in Fisheries Information Gathering for Management. The participants were senior officials from the Department of Fisheries (DOF), The Fisheries Association of Thailand, representatives from related agencies, fisher leaders, university instructors and non-governmental agencies, totally 110 persons. 2. The Deputy Director General of the Department of Fisheries Mr. Atit Namasondhi presided the meeting and briefly the fishery situation to the Meeting as follow: There were about 57,000 fishing boats in Thailand, some were legally registered but some were not. About 18-20% of these boats were trawls and push nets that catch about 64% of total production (about 1.6 mill. mt.). About 60% of these were juvenile small-sized fish and trash fish. These were categorized into 2 categories as: Category 1: Future economic fish that we are now taking about Category 2: Fish that are valuable for ecosystem These contributed decline in fishery resources in the Gulf of Thailand. That was evidently shown the index of catch per unit effort (CPUE, kg per hr) of economical fish decreased whereas the small sized fish increased. The marine fishery resources in Thailand were came from three sources: 1. Fisheries within the Thai EEZ areas 2. Fisheries in EEZ areas of the neighboring countries by bilateral agreements 3. Fisheries in the High Sea The fishery production in Thailand were about 3.9 mill mt; about 2.5 mill mt were came from Thai EEZ areas whereas about 700,000 tons came from neighboring countries and other 700,000 tons were tuna that imported for tuna industries. While the fishery resources in Thai EEZ areas were decreasing and those from the neighboring countries were limiting and not easy to fish as in the past. For high sea fishing, we still have no many boats and experiences to fish. The fishery policy to develop the national fishery management to meet the fishery sustainability and resource enrichment as an important food source for Thai people should be included; 60

67 1. Strong and regularly enforce follows the fishery laws and regulations. Co-management in monitoring, control and enforcement among stakeholders and government officials for more effective management and resource protection for our next generation 2. Resource enhancement has been started for long time and still continuing e.g. seed releasing, artificial reef installation, improvement of marine habitats. All of these should be further strengthening and highlight. 3. Participation and involvement of the communities are very important that can make the people perceive the essence and conserve the resources. 4. Control the fishing gear and introduce more selective fishing gear, maximize the utilization of resources and manage to the best beneficial; post-harvesting process are important. DOF have issued the policy and implement for the above mention, the DOF is grateful to your cooperation in sharing ideas and opinions that would be good sound to support for the fishery policy that can be effectively conserved the resource and maximize resource utilization. I do hope this meeting will contribute a great and valuable result to manage our fisheries. 3. The Director of Marine Fisheries Research and Development Bureau Mr. Rangsun Chayakul reported the meeting that Thailand is located in the lower Indo-China Peninsula which the EEZs areas covered 420,280 sq km for both in the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea. The sea area in the Gulf of Thailand is 304,000 sq km and in Andaman is 116,280 sq km. The coastal lines are 2,625 km for both in the Gulf and Andaman Sea. The coastline in the Gulf of Thailand is 1,875 km and in the Andaman is 750 km. Slightly sloped sea floor characterizes a great plain of continental shelf and a funnel-like bottom in the middle Gulf where a great quantity of mud and sand are sedimentation. In the Andaman Sea covers shorter and narrower continental shelf than in the Gulf. Most bottom areas are sandy mud. Regarding to the fishing capacity, the fishing could be accounted as original careers of Thai people. Before 1925, most fisheries were coastal and small-scale. Thai fisheries were much developed in 1925 when the Chinese brought the Chinese purse seine to catch the Indo-Pacific mackerels in the Gulf of Thailand. After that, Thai fishermen had developed the Thai purse seines by themselves and started to fish farther offshore. In 1960, trawl fishing was introduced from Germany to Thailand. It was developed to catch demersal fish and became rapidly popular at present. Consequently, fishery production from commercial and small scale sectors increased from 148,200 mt in 1953 to 2,651,200 mt in This means that in 50 years, Thai fishermen could develop their catching efficiency about 18 times. About 58% of the total production came from trawl, 26% from purse seine and the other 16% from gill net, lift net, falling net, crab trap, squid trap and push net. Development of fishing technology resulted in a great deal of decline of the resources especially in the Gulf of Thailand. That was evident by the DOF research vessel surveys since 1966, when the catch per unit of effort from kg/hr was dropped to kg/hr in This means the catch was reduced about 7 times. 61

68 Problem constraints in Fisheries within Thai EEZs: 1. Decline of the resources There are two causes of the decline that are by natural process and the human utilization especially for over exploitation and lack of awareness in fisheries and agriculture e.g. fishing during spawning season and dumping of chemical residue from agriculture sector e.g. fertilizers and insecticides into water bodies. The government has given the first priority for resource sustainability since 1957 by issuing several measures for Rare and Endangered Species, management measures to prohibit a certain type of fishing gear in a certain area, limit mesh size and control number of fishing boats to give a chance for fish to reproduce have been implemented. At least 27 (twenty seven) Notifications were issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives to conserve and protect the fishery resources. Even more the DOF has conducted the Resource Rehabilitation Project to enrich the resources in the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea as well as to manage the resource utilization under controllable scheme. Public awareness should be also introduced to the public for resource conservation and how important of water bodies. 2. Higher Fishing Operation Cost Major fishing operation cost is diesel price which is continually increasing from 2.64 baht/liter in 1977 to 8.50 (1995), (1997) and baht/liter (2005). These impacts were affected to fishers especially for trawlers which had paid for diesel about 50-60% of all operation cost, while the resources were declined. A lot of fishing boats had to stop fishing or reducing their fishing trips resulted in jobless in fishing activities and further effect to related industries e.g. the processing plants, ice plants etc. To reduce the present economic situation, the DOF provided subsidize for cheaper diesel in terms of green oil and purple oil for fishers who are suffering by the high fuel price. 3. Deficiency of man-power Labor shortage becomes bigger problem for commercial fisheries that need a lot of man-power. Although labor share incentive is high but they are not as attractive as in the past. They feel not secure for their fishing careers due to lower catch, more risky, loss of confidence when fishing far away. Further, the social welfare in the fishery sector is also different from other industrial sectors. 4. Trade Issues The international agreements and initiatives that affected to our fisheries and fishery products e.g. TED issue, shark, standard and norm for export products, fishing pier hygienic standard, fishing boats, handling and fish quality standard etc are the present major concerned that we have to harmonize and settle some management schemes to be implemented. Problems and solutions which are implemented at present are mostly for short term only. The major problem which contribute to the other issue is the over fishing. It means fishing more than recruitment resulted in decline of the resources. Higher cost of operations may be solved by beneficial catch results. If fishing capacity could be reduced then all problems may be solved. 62

69 Reduction of fishing capacity could be achieved by various methodologies including the reduction of number of boat and the reduction of the fishing gear efficiency. Reducing the number of fishing boat/fishing gear could be major implemented which will lower the problem of fishery resource decline. Reducing an efficiency of fishing gear could be another measure to help the fishery resource situation to be better. Types of fishing gear and its efficiency should be both considered. Actually, reducing the fishing efficiency has been managed by the DOF for sometime e.g. the limitation of a certain type of fishing gear and mesh size which the implementation will not cause any impact to the fishers in general, anyhow it still needs cooperation from stakeholder from all sectors. In the past, the focusing only on the reduction of the fishing efficiency would not affect any change in the fishery situation. Further the fishers tried to bargain more to lower the limitation or try to make high fishing efficiency to meet the lower catches and high fishing cost. Consequently, it leads to suppress the fishing capacity reduction especially those gear that is classified as destructive and unacceptable by global. By the way, the implementation would be best practice and best beneficial for the fisheries as a whole, the national fishery management which should be considered as following: Types of fishing gear that will affect to fishery resources and related to fishers as well as to environment and would be acceptable by global Reduction on the number of fishing boat that would be also affected to the consumer and fish production in short supply as an immediately effect apart from the fishers. All of these issues are important to be considered. It is a need to brainstorming from stakeholder of all related sectors to give ideas and discussion to settle the Fishery Policy and Plan of Action for the reduction of the fishing capacity of the trawl and push net fisheries in the Gulf of Thailand at this moment. 4. Dr. Mala Supongpan (Senior Expert on Marine Fisheries, National Consultant of the Project) presented the background, objectives and expected output of the project by holding four Stakeholder Consultation Meetings (SCM) for each zone and a final High Senior Consultation Meeting (HSCM) to brain-storm and discussion among the stakeholders from various sectors for the fishing capacity reduction of trawl and push net fisheries in the Gulf of Thailand. The fishing capacity reduction for trawl and push net fisheries project is adapted and modified from the Project GCP/RAS/199/SWE Strengthening the Capacity in Fisheries Information Gathering for Management to meet the need of the DOF. FAO has contacted through the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives to conduct the project by the DOF then the DOF has signed the contact by the Director-General and further assigned a National Consultant, a Policy Committee and a Working Committee to run the project. The Stakeholder Consultation Meeting was assigned to be held in four coastal zones of the Gulf of Thailand to gather the information by consultation meeting at the local sites. These zones are eastern gulf (Trad, Chantaburi and Rayong provinces), upper gulf (Cholburi, Chasengsao, Samuth 63

70 Prakarn, Samuth Sakorn, Samuth Songkram and Petchaburi provinces), upper south (Prachuab Kiri Khan, Chumphon and Surat Thani provinces) and southern gulf (Nakorn Sri Thammarat, Songkhla and Pattani province). The information gathering from the coastal zone of the gulf was assigned as the first priority to be gathered for the fishing capacity reduction of trawl and push net fisheries. The objectives of the projects are To present the results of the surveys from ABAC Poll as well as the KU surveys on the socioeconomic and labor mobility of fishery sectors (trawls, push net and processors) as basic background to stakeholders To brain storming the stakeholders for acceptant in reducing fishing capacity and at what level will be accepted especially for trawl and push net fisheries in the Gulf of Thailand. To gather ideas from high senior levels both government and private sectors to formulate policy and plan of action in reducing fishing capacity for trawl and push net fisheries. To disseminate and promote the objectives, framework and rationale of policy and management to stakeholders. ABAC Poll Research Center and Kasetsart University were requested by DOF to hold opinion poll and social and economic research for fishing capacity reduction for trawl and push net fisheries in the Gulf of Thailand respectively. The opinion poll and social economic research have been conducted regarding to each zone and the results were presented during each stakeholder consultation meeting. The fishing capacity of the trawl and push net fisheries means the ability in catching fish of these two types of gear that concerning on the fishing effort (fishing hours, fishing days, fishing trips, number of boat etc), fishing efficiency, length of net, mesh size, gross tonnage and etc. The results of the polls and researches from 4 zones were summarized as fundamental data for this meeting. This meeting is held for high senior officials both from government and private sectors to brainstorming, exchange ideas and consulting to formulate the fishery policy and plan of action to reduce fishing capacity for trawl and push net fisheries in the Gulf of Thailand. It is expected that this meeting will provide valuable output that can be further submitted to the decision maker to take action and implementing. The results and plan of action will be disseminated through public by producing brochure, leaflet, document distributed to the concerned stakeholders. 5. The ABAC opinion poll for the whole gulf detailed is appeared in the AABAC document. 6. Ass. Prof. Dr. Ruangrai Tokrisana (Kasetsart University) present the results of social and economic research to the meeting, the results of the research works are appeared in the KU document. 7. The participants were brainstorming, discussing and consulting which chaired by Messrs. Banjong Thongsrang (instructor from Faculty of Science, Songkhla Rachapat University) and Sukree Hayeesama (Associated Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology, Prince of Songkhla University, Pattani Campus). The results of the consultation are summarized and appeared in the Attachment. 64

71 8. Closing address by Dr. Mala Supongpan The exchange ideas, discussion and consultation on the reduction of fishing capacity of trawl and push net fisheries to formulate and settle the plan of action to be implement for this meeting, the results will be submitted to the Director-General to further endorse by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives. After approval for the plan of action, the DOF will consider to provide annual budgetary for further implement. The existing implemented issues will be further strengthen and the big issue e.g. buy back program will be carefully considered by the DOF in detail how to implement in an equity and may be by voluntary basis and how to seek for budgetary provision. From my point of view, I would like to have a plan of action to reduce the fishing capacity for all types of gear both in the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea to sustain the fishery resources. We are grateful to all of the participants, the high senior officials both from the government and private sectors, university instructors, and other concerned agencies to give valuable results and thanks for your sacrifices of your valuable time to participate this meeting. Please be save when you are traveling back home. Thank you so much and the meeting is now closing. Good Bye. 65

72 Schedule High Senior Consultation Meeting on the Fishing Capacity Reduction of Trawl and Push net Fisheries in the Gulf of Thailand August, 2006 Maruay Garden Hotel, Bangkok th August, Registration Introduction of the participants and detail of the meeting 25 th August, Open Ceremony -Welcoming by Deputy Director General of DOF Mr. Atit Namasondhi -Reporting by Director of Marine Fisheries Research and Development Bureau Mr. Rungsan Chayakul -Opening by the Deputy Director General Policy of the Marine Fisheries by the Deputy Director General Management on trawl and push net fisheries by Director of Marine Fisheries Research and Development Bureau Mr. Rungsan Chayakul Results of the previous seminars from 4 regions along the Gulf of Thailand by Senior Expert on Marine Fisheries Dr. Mala Supongpan Study results on social and economic conditions by the instructor from Kasetsart University Coffee-break Brainstorming (Chaired by Messrs. Banjong Thongsrang and Sukree Hayeesama (Instuctors from Ratchapat University, Songkhla and Prince of Songkhla University, Pattani Campus) Lunch break Brainstorming (cont.) Coffee-break 66

73 Summary the results: Messrs. Banjong Thongsrang and Sukree Hayeesama Closing the Meeting Dr. Mala Supongpan 67

74 Attachment Result High Senior Consultation Meeting Fishing Capacity Reduction for Trawl and Push net Fisheries in the Gulf of Thailand (FAO/GCP/RAS/199/SWE) August 2006, Bangkok, Thailand Issues and Plan of Action on Fishing Capacity Reduction for Trawl and Push net Fisheries in the Gulf of Thailand (Results are basically from 4 zones Stakeholder Consultation Meeting) 1. Alternative occupation Issue Plan of Action Condition and Risk 1.1 Incentive Provision - Promote alternative jobs and provide training program, budgetary support and promote fair market for new jobs - Promote alternative jobs that are harmonized to livelihood e.g. ecotourism, cultural tourism - Introduce less destructive gear for changing/switching to other fishery career - Provide non destructive fishing gear or more selective gear - Buy back gear or boat to compensate for the one who volunteers to quit - Extend for local species or requested species in coastal aquaculture - Establish fishery museum, fish processing center (more choice for new job) 1.2 Fishery Fees Revision - Increase license fees for the one who remains fishing - More payment of license fees for more effective gear - Alternative jobs should be given to fishers by consideration of their capability by nature - Due to limiting in economic means and knowledge, only fishery labor sector that would be affected. - Social welfare for fishery labor should be established as other agricultural career - Find out why fishers are still fishing with less benefit (social issues) Fishery fees should be revised to update situation 68

75 Issue Plan of Action Condition and Risk 1.3 Buy Back Program - Plan and blue print for buy back program (boat, gear or both) - Budgetary should be provided or seeking for donors - Boat and gear price estimation that would be accepted by both sides - Establishment of a Committee to estimate the boat and gear prices (composition of the Committee comprises Dept. of Water Transportation and Commerce, provincial DOF, local Fishery Society, provincial Attorney, the president would be the Governor) - Buy back boat should be scrapped to prevent returning and no new boat building as well as settle a mechanism to prevent coming again - Fishers will quit by voluntary basis - Who should be firstly quitted, big sized or small sized boats? (economic issues) 1.4 Outside Thai Waters Fisheries Promotion 1.5 Fishery Fund Establishment - Extend for large scale fishing fleet to fish in the high sea e.g. purse seine and long line for tuna fishery - Establish Oversea Fisheries Organization (under government) - Control, protect, extend and develop fishery activities - Use to buy back boat and gear with low rate of interest - Provide reward for arresting illegal fishing - Promote and extend central fish market for fair fish price - Fishing in high sea should be sustainability (sustain, maintain biodiversity, economize, socialize and ecological sounds) - Establishment through law and regal framework of the Budgetary Bureau, Comptroller General s Department - Fund would be collected from exporters volunteer for 1% of export value 69

76 2. Institution and Management Issue Plan of Action Condition and Risk 2.1 Fishery Laws and Regulation Revision - Revise fishery law and regulation to meet the present situation (method of fishing, fishing area, fishing zone, effective fishing gear, destructive gear, new fishing gear) - Increase reserved areas (extend from existing 3,000 to 5,000 m) and area-season closures/mpa (Marine Protected Area: permanently closed area) - Revise fishing license for small scale fishing gear - No boat building (wooden, fiber or else) with the LOA more than 14 m to fish in Thai EEZ - Registration for fishing gear should be opened all year round and the one year round paying license fee to continue registration should be ended at the date before the next year round - Control number of boat registration by community participation in registration process, monitoring and control - Establishing mechanism to control number of boat and new boat building that should be approved by provincial governor and local concerned authorities - Decentralize authorities to local level and increase participation approached - Reopen for illegal fishing gear (trawl-push net) to re-register to have a real figure that will be used for management measures within a certain period and clearly objectives should be publicly announced - Limit efficiency, fishing power and enlarge mesh size - Expansion of existing reserved area from 3,000 m to 5,000 m would be considered depending on each geographic area - Participatory approached method for more area and season closures - Small scale fishing boats may have several fishing gear licenses due to change gear type to fish by season and identify gear types to be used in which season - Usually the registration will be ended at 30 April every year, it should be changed liked car registration (e.g. registration was made at 10 April 2005, then it was ended at 9 April 2006 and e.g. another boat registered at 1 January 2005 it would ended at 31 December 2005, simultaneously) - The provincial DOF, Fishery Society, local government agency (Ao Bo To) and NGO should monitor and inform the real boat number of trawl and push net in practices - Fishers should collaborate with Fishery Society and DOF to proof the boat owner and the license owner is the same person as well as the fishing practice should be used that licensed gear - Laws and amendment is time consuming and should not be used as argument to delay action 70

77 Issue Plan of Action Condition and Risk 2.2 Fishing by Zone - Establish fishing zone by type of fishing gear, method of fishing and size of boat: 1. No fishing by mechanized boat within 3 nm/no fishing at depth less than 20 m except fishing by hook (manual) 2. Empower to the governor to prohibit certain fishing gear and regulation 3. Decentralize some authorities to the governor/local authorities to set their own fishing zones and more than 25 m) 2.3 Monitoring, Control and Enforcement - Strong monitoring, control and enforce - Decentralize some authorities to other concerned local authorities to monitor, control and enforce - Promote local community/volunteer young generation to inform illegal fishing and participation in monitoring, control and enforce 2.4 Data Based Management - Survey and registration for illegal fishing boat by community participation - Update data based - Manage data based for fully utilization 2.5 Conservation Awareness and Resource Rehabilitation - Awareness building in resource protection and conservation - Promote participation in protection and conservation to local community - Representative from all types of fishers should participate and make agreement together - Department of Fisheries is a core to establish fishing by zone - Fishing by zone should be related to boat size category (less than 14 m, 14-18, DOF would collaborate to other concerned authority in monitoring, control and enforce - Promote coastal resource co-management - Compiling data may also gather from the existing data from other agencies, fishery societies, and NGO - Specify date and time to survey and registration period to public - Registration of one gear can not be changed to another gear - Registration should be open to using compensated documents e.g. engine and wood receipts - illegal fishing boats should be executed and call for re-registration - Promote coastal resource co-management 71

78 Issue Plan of Action Condition and Risk - Promote local community in coastal resource management Appropriated law and regal framework to - Promote fishery co-management or community-based coastal empower the local authorities resource management 2.6 Participation approached in Fishery Resource Management 2.7 Management Council Establishment - Reform the fishery societies to be a Legally Management Council - To strengthen the council to effectively and regally manage for fishery sustainability and control number of boats 3. Resource Enhancement and Habitat Restoration/Protection Issue Plan of Action Condition and Risk 3.1 Resource Enhancement - Seed fry releasing program - Artificial reef installation with clear objectives 3.2 Restore/Protect Habitats (mangrove, sea grass, coral) - Identify critical habitats associated with important life cycle of commercially and endanger species - Promote community involvement in habitat protection and utilization of the resources - Develop management measure to protect habitat and resource utilization - Promote mangrove plantation activities to communities and school children - Stock enhancement strategies should be developed, monitoring and evaluation of cost and benefit should be considered for such intervention - Buy back boats can be used to make ARs - ARs should be firstly installed at the upper gulf area and extend to Angthong islands in Surat Thani, Pattani bay and Songkhla - ARs should be installed at less productive areas and should have some management measures to maximize utilization as well as community requirement 72

79 Issue Plan of Action Condition and Risk 3.3 Land based Pollution - Reduce pollution from land based activities (waste water, solid waste, heavy metal contamination etc) by strictly monitoring, control and enforce 4. Reduce Fishing Cost Issue Plan of Action Condition and Risk 4.1 Alternative Energy Source - Experiment to use NGV/Bio-diesel to substitute diesel for reducing fishing cost - Fuel subsidize Fuel subsidize should be considered as short term measure to allow fishers adjust to the present global situation of high cost 5. Research Works and Activities Collaboration Issue Plan of Action Condition and Risk 5.1 Research Works and DOF Meeting Activities - Research works should be collaborated with other agencies - DOF should distribute/announce the fishery activities, and results of all meetings to public especially to the Fishery Association, Provincial Fishery Society, NGO, fishers etc. to know 73

80 Activities The First to the Forth Stakeholder Consultation meeting Under the Project FAO/GCP/RAS/SWE Thailand Department of Fisheries Registration to attain the first Meeting, upper gulf zone, Petchaburi Province Participants of the first Meeting, upper gulf zone, Petchaburi Province 74

81 Participants of the second Meeting, eastern gulf zone, Rayong Province Lunch break, eastern gulf zone, Rayong Province 75

82 Participants of the third Meeting, upper south of the gulf zone, Surat Thani Province Registration to attain the third Meeting, upper south of the gulf zone, Surat Thani Province 76

83 Participants of the forth Meeting, southern gulf zone, Songkhla Province Trawl Fishery Group: Brainstorming, southern gulf zone, Songkhla Province 77