The Challenge of Fisheries Management in Thailand, a Case Study of Closed Areas and Season in Prachub Khirikhan, Chumphon and Surat Thani Provinces BY Nopparat Nasuchon Department of Fisheries, Thailand
Critical area
The Challenge of Fisheries Management in Thailand, a Case Study of Closed Areas and Season in Prachub Khirikhan, Chumphon and Surat Thani Provinces 1953 Establishment of a spawning season closure for Indo-Pacific mackerel (1 st April-31 st May) prohibition of purse seine fishing
The Challenge of Fisheries Management in Thailand, a Case Study of Closed Areas and Season in Prachub Khirikhan, Chumphon and Surat Thani Provinces 1953-1959 - In 1957, first established a research team to study biology of the Indo-Pacific mackerel. Led to change in 1959 of spawning closure area and duration (1 st January 30 th April) - Purse seine and gill net were prohibited
The Challenge of Fisheries Management in Thailand, a Case Study of Closed Areas and Season in Prachub Khirikhan, Chumphon and Surat Thani Provinces 1960-1963 Focus on larval fish Establishment of specific spawning (1 st January-31 st March) and nursery closures (15 th April-14 th June) in 1962 Purse seine and gill nets prohibited during spawning closure Encircling gill nets could be used during nursery closure if mesh size >4.7cm. Purse seine fishing was prohibited.
The Challenge of Fisheries Management in Thailand, a Case Study of Closed Areas and Season in Prachub Khirikhan, Chumphon and Surat Thani Provinces 1964-1972 Over-fishing of demersal resources led trawl fishers to modify their gears and practices to target pelagic species List of prohibited fishing gear was extended to include trawling during the periods 1 st Feb-31 st Mar 1972 1973-1975 Rapid increase in the use of light luring purse seines led to the ban of this practice and extension of nursery closure from 15 April to 14 th July
The migratory route of tagged Indo-Pacific mackerel (Rastrelliger neglectus) in the Gulf of Thailand (Somjaiwong and Chullasorn 1974).
Life cycle of Indo-Pacific mackerel (Rastrelliger brachysoma/neglectus) in the Gulf of Thailand (courtesy of the Marine Fisheries Division) Life cycle of the Indo-Pacific mackerel in the Gulf of Thailand (courtesy of the Marine Fisheries Division)
The Challenge of Fisheries Management in Thailand, a Case Study of Closed Areas and Season in Prachub Khirikhan, Chumphon and Surat Thani Provinces 1976-1984 Identification of importance of the site to other species 1983 Notification extended closures to multiple species led to large protests by fishers Negotiations between Department of Fisheries and fishermen led to the area of the site being reduced (50,000 sq. km) and duration of spawning and nursery closures were reduced areas managed for multiple species
The Challenge of Fisheries Management in Thailand, a Case Study of Closed Areas and Season in Prachub Khirikhan, Chumphon and Surat Thani Provinces 1985-1994 Anchovy purse seine fishing permitted in area for 6 years Conflicts between fishers using anchovy purse seines and other gears 1995-1999 Rapid increase in the use of encircling gill net, mesh size >4.7 cm
Mackerel gill net boats sizes Large-size of fishing boats
Mackerel gill net boats sizes Medium-size of fishing boats
Mackerel gill net boats sizes Long-tail fishing boats
The Challenge of Fisheries Management in Thailand, a Case Study of Closed Areas and Season in Prachub Khirikhan, Chumphon and Surat Thani Provinces The target species is Indo Pacific Mackerel
The Challenge of Fisheries Management in Thailand, a Case Study of Closed Areas and Season in Prachub Khirikhan, Chumphon and Surat Thani Provinces 2000-2009 Stakeholder Consultations
The Challenge of Fisheries Management in Thailand, a Case Study of Closed Areas and Season in Prachub Khirikhan, Chumphon and Surat Thani Provinces 2000-2009 Latest notification effective on 20 January 2007. To add more descriptions of mackerel gill net to limited: - size of net is not longer than 4,000 m If net is longer than 4000 m can not use haul up and can only operate between 15 April -15 May - size of boat is not longer than14 m.
What has happen after opening an area? before mid-night on 15 May
The Challenge of Fisheries Management in Thailand, a Case Study of Closed Areas and Season in Prachub Khirikhan, Chumphon and Surat Thani Provinces Recent challenges Pressure from fishers to reduce the area of the site by 3,000 sq.km in the Chumphon area are ongoing. Implementing negotiations and studying all technical data is critical
Conclusions/Recommendation Thailand amended the notification for conservation marine resources 9 times, which was based on technical data and fishers economic reports Thai fishers always increase the capacity of gear and adapt gears to avoid and circumvent fisheries law Thai fishers always petition to the DOF to reduce the areas and allow some gear operations in that area Thai governments lack of control on fishing boats which operate on board without a license DOF should continue closing the area one/two months to help in the conservation of young fish but decrease area size and protect it from gears that use small size mesh net
Thank you