The government plans to set up a fund to help improve the livelihoods of traditional fishermen and their fishing capacity, in line with the principles of a "blue economy".

The blue economy principle espouses the sustainable use of oceanic resources for economic growth, to improve livelihoods, and create jobs while at the same time preserving the health of the ocean's ecosystem.

Deputy Prime Minister Gen Chatchai Sarikulya believes the initiative will also help government efforts to tackle illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.


"The government will set up the fund and allocate money to it very soon," Gen Chatchai said on Monday, while presiding over a meeting of traditional fishermen.

The meeting -- held annually by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives' Department of Fisheries -- was aimed at finding measures to protect traditional fishermen and preserve marine resources.

Gen Chatchai, who is also overseeing the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, said the government wants to see traditional fishermen adopt the principles of the blue economy to help preserve and protect the marine ecological system.

He said traditional fishermen must abide by the law of not using illegal fishing gear, and register their ships with the authorities.

Gen Chatchai also said that everyone must follow the industry's best practices and support the government's efforts to tackle IUU fishing.

In 2015, Thailand was yellow-flagged by the European Union (EU) for failing to adequately monitor the fishing industry.

The EU said Thailand would be red-flagged and banned from exporting its seafood to the EU if it fails to address the matter.

A decision on whether to withdraw the yellow card warning is expected to be made next year.

Meanwhile, Banchong Nasae, chairman of the Thai Sea Watch Association, said that traditional fishermen account for 85% of those working in the fishing industry across the country.

However, the government has focused more on commercial trawlers by providing them with assistance such as the buyback scheme for commercial boat owners with a budget of 680 million baht, he said.

Mr Banchong then called on the government to inject the same amount into the new fund for traditional fishermen.
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written by https://www.bangkokpost.com