The economics and management of Thai marine fisheries

Abstract

The study documents the profitability of the trawl fishing, the poverty of small-scale fishermen, the heavy overfishing of the Gulf of Thailand, and the discrepancy between the catching power of the Thai fishing industry and the management and enforcement capabilities of Thailand and its neighbors. The study concludes that an effective strategy for the solution of Thailand's fisheriesrelated problems would involve the immediate halt to the construction of new trawlers, the licensing and control of the activities of existing vessels, assistance to small- and large-scale fishermen through fisheries enhancement projects, such as artificial reefs, community fishing rights, conclusion of more joint fishing ventures and development of alternative sources of animal protein, income and employment.