For centuries, Thailand’s coastal communities have built their livelihoods on fishing, with the national economy closely tied to the rhythm of the tides. But in the wake of global demands for sustainable practices, the way of life for small-scale fishers is under threat.
In 2015, the European Union issued Thailand a ‘yellow card’ as a stark warning about the country’s failure to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. To avoid an outright ban on seafood exports to the EU, Thailand introduced some of the world’s strictest fishing laws. These measures have since transformed the industry, but not without controversy.
Though the EU lifted the yellow card in 2019, the reforms put in place remain a double-edged sword for local communities. Despite helping Thailand secure its place in international markets, the reforms have also imposed heavy financial and operational burdens on small-scale fishers.
Thailand’s anti-IUU measures were primarily aimed at large-scale commercial operations, yet their sweeping scope has ensnared many of the nation’s 50,000 small-time operators, including Mode Bunna, a fisherman from Songkhla. “So many people quit fishing. There are only me and my brother still fishing in this area,” Bunna laments.
For these small operators, even minor infractions, such as logbook errors, can result in staggering fines of up to two million baht (€55,000). When a good daily yield for small fishers stands at around 100,000 baht (€2,700), these fines are unworkable.
“Thailand has 22 coastal provinces registered under the National Fisheries Association. The Act hugely impacted the livelihoods of thousands of fishing families,” adds Mongkol Sukcharoenkana, President of the National Fisheries Association of Thailand.
Thailand’s seafood industry, once robust, has felt the ripple effects of these stringent policies. Sukcharoenkana adds that downstream industries have also collapsed, leaving entire communities vulnerable.
The country’s small-scale fishers claim they are being driven out of business. Meanwhile, larger commercial vessels continue to operate in the same waters, often depleting fish stocks before smaller boats have a chance to cast their nets.
Director General of Thailand’s Department of Fisheries, Bancha Sukkaew, acknowledges the gravity of the situation but defends the IUU regulations. “As stipulated by the Constitution, the Fisheries Act must undergo efficacy evaluations, as with other legislation,” he explains, highlighting a possible path towards reform.
Calls for legislative amendments are gaining traction. With their livelihoods on the line, fishing communities are proposing changes to the law through the House of Representatives. They want measures that reflect Thailand’s local context while still upholding its global responsibilities.
Bancha insists, “The proposed amendments still align with our international obligations and commitment to anti-IUU fishing policy, making them more consistent with our [local] context, while fostering responsible and sustainable fishing.”
However, Wichoksak Ronnarongpairee, Manager of the Association of Thai Fisherfolks Federation (ATFF), warns that not all stakeholders agree on the extent of these reforms. “Some groups have proposed abolishing IUU measures, which I strongly disagree with,” he says. “We are part of the global community and do not live in isolation.”
Others, like Dr Poj Aramwatananont of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, argue for a middle ground. “The international law may be good for one country, but it’s too strict for another. Thailand needs to follow international rules and regulations, but we also need to adapt.”
For fishers like Mode Bunna, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Now 70, he refuses to abandon the life he’s known for decades. “For generations, my family have been fishing here,” he says. “I can’t quit now. I’m too old to do anything else.” Despite the challenges, Bunna’s resolve mirrors the broader fight undertaken by Thailand’s small-scale fishing communities.
As Thailand’s government weighs changes to its fishing laws, the challenge will be finding a balance—protecting the livelihoods of small-scale fishers while maintaining its hard-won reputation for sustainability. The sea has always been a source of life for Thailand’s coastal communities.
Whether it can remain so will depend on the reforms that follow.