Marine Fisheries Management Plan of Thailand 2020-2022.

The goals of the National Marine Fisheries Management Plan (FMP) (2020-2022) are: 1. Fisheries resources restored to a level that can support the Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) in Thai waters and sustainable fishing expanded into deep-sea and overseas waters; 2. IUU-free fishery; 3. Healthy habitats and environment; 4. Improved livelihoods of artisanal fishers and fishing communities; and 5. Effective fisheries management capacity.
In the FMP (2020-2022), the Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) refers to: The highest theoretical equilibrium yield that can be continuously taken (on average) from a stock under existing (average) environmental conditions without affecting significantly the reproduction process; the Total Allowable Effort (TAE) refers to: An input control measure that specifies the maximum level of fishing effort that can be applied to a fish stock during a specific period, agreed to by fishery managers to achieve certain objectives. TAE is usually expressed in terms of limits on the number of fishing days and/or the number of operating vessels in the regulated area.
Marine fisheries are important both socially and economically for Thailand. In order to maintain the sustainable development of the sector, and to achieve the goals, key management measures are proposed in the FMP (2020-2022), which include: the control of fishing effort through a total allowable effort (TAE) and licensing scheme and the use of incentives such as a buy-backs and license combination schemes to remove excess capacity for fishing vessel, the introduction of area-based management for selected fisheries, including clams and shrimp and introducing Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs) for selected fisheries. Restrictions on the number and characteristics of fishing gear will be maintained. The expansion of sustainable fishing into deeper waters in Thailand and into overseas fishing grounds will be promoted. To reduce the catch of juvenile market fish, mesh size limits will be maintained or increased and seasonal closures improved. Artificial reefs and restocking programs will be maintained. The Department of Fisheries will collaborate with the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources to improve the status of critical habitats and rebuild biodiversity as well as to reduce marine debris which affects ecosystems and sustainability of fisheries resources. A new important initiative of the FMP 2020-2024 will be the application of the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (FAO SSF Guidelines) to further improve the well-being of artisanal fishers and fishing communities.
In order to reduce the level of IUU fishing to a level that can be controlled through regular MCS arrangements in the future, specific management measures to be taken include a review of the National Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate IUU fishing (NPOA-IUU) and the further strengthening of Thailand’s coastal State, flag State and port State responsibilities. The traceability systems already in place will also be improved and international and regional MCS networking adopted.
The FMP (2020-2022) further recognizes the importance of better data and information to inform management decision making and proposes several important changes on research, data and information that can be used in the future management of Thailand’s marine fisheries. In addition, the FMP recognizes the need for institutional changes and strengthening the human capacity to improve future fisheries management.