THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
nationthailand

Fishermen seek change in Article 34

Fishermen seek change in Article 34

REPRESENTATIVES of small-scale fishermen in 22 coastal provinces yesterday filed a petition with Agriculture Minister General Chatchai Sarikalya calling for an amendment to Article 34 of the Fisheries Decree, which limits them to “inshore fisheries” withi

The fishermen say they are not able to catch enough fish and that this practice could lead to the ruin of coastal natural resources.
After submitting the petition, the group also gathered outside the ministry’s headquarters in Bangkok, armed with three boxes of mackerel and Ornate Threadfin Bream that can be found beyond the three nautical miles, to express their worries.
Sama-ae Jehmudor, chief of the Association of Thai Fisherfolk Federation, said Article 34 – one of the measures implemented to eradicate illegal unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in Thailand – would impact their livelihood adversely.
It also limits the right to sea of small-scale fishermen, who account for more than 80 per cent fisherfolk in 22 coastal provinces, he said.
“Small-scale fishing is the foundation of the community economy, which provides food security and generates income for these people. It is a good practice that produces good quality products and is environmentally responsible,” he said.
Limiting them to inshore fishing can also lead to fights among fishermen over marine resources and that is not good for the long run because the coastal area is supposed to be a nursery ground for fish and habitat of rare marine life, he added. On the other hand, this decree also allows commercial fishermen to fish from the coast up to the exclusive economic zone’s 200-nautical-mile territory, he said. As fishing folk from 17 provinces had already appealed to the government to cancel Article 34, but heard nothing in response, the group returned to the ministry yesterday to ask about the progress, Sama-ae added.
Since the problems stem from destructive fishing practices, a more sustainable solution would be banning dangerous fishing equipment such as trawling and push nets as well as electrical tools for catching fish, he said.
Prachuap Khiri Khan’s Ban Thung Noi fishermen group chief Piya Thesyaem reiterated that the government should cancel the article and instead announce the area within 12 nautical miles from the coast to be accessible for small fishing boats under 10 gross tonnes and commercial boats over 10 tonnes gross with the implementation of control on fishing equipment.
 
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