The Thai government is making a bid to stabilize the fishing industry by setting aside THB 45 billion (USD 1.3 billion, EUR 903,400) in a five-year improvement plan.
The plan is to create 80 projects centering on fishing communities threatened by more advanced fishing techniques.
“The industry has encountered depleted stocks due to the rampant use of advanced fishing tools, which have affected fishermen in small communities,” said Dr. Somyang Piumsombun, director general of Thailand’s Fisheries Department. “These techniques have also had severe effects on the ecology and environment of these areas and forced the country to launch better fishery management plans.”
The scheme has been approved by the Thai Cabinet, but there will be more public hearings before the plan moves forward. Local fishing communities and private companies will be consulted with the hope that dwindling resources will be better managed and some progress will be made toward a more sustainable future.
Each province will be encouraged to provide one organization to work with the government on projects related to their community.
The Thai fishing industry is facing labor shortages and high fuel costs.
