Sustainable fisheries with Khon Khlan Sub-district Folk Fisheries Association

 

 

The community/organization and local perspectives on conservation and stewardship

 

Khon Khlan is a coastal community on Thailand’s coastal plain, with approximately 3.5 km long black sand beaches, some of them forested with pine trees along the coast. The area is surrounded by three canals, with fertile mangrove forest resources. Community people are mainly engaged in fishing, with trading and farming as additional occupations. The Khon Khlan Sub-district Folk Fisheries Association, whose members are local fishers, including women, men and youth, has as its objective to protect the food production area of Khon Khlan Bay. The association conducts activities for conservation of aquatic animals, by building fish houses and artificial corals in collaboration with government agencies and private sectors, and is registered as a local fishery group with the Department of Fisheries.

 

Because the sea is like a bank that is the food source for local fishermen, if the resources are reduced, the food source and income of the fishermen will decrease too. For this reason, the Khon Khlan Sub-district Folk Fisheries Association has been established for local fishing groups to monitor and prevent illegal fishing, starting in 1999. This is including resourcing activities such as setting up community aquatic animal sanctuaries, making fish houses for habitats for marine animals in the conservation area, and rules for the use and care of resources. It’s run by the community committee that is responsible for the supervision and monitor illegal fishing. At present, the association is about to help push the local community rule into a local ordinance. The incentives for communities to conserve resources are because they want the communities to have food sources and stable occupations for their children. 

 

Stewardship experience: “Maintain the resource base that is the community’s food source”

 

The issue or problem being addressed

In the past the community has had problems with aquatic animal resources declining, resulting in lower income and food caught by fisherman. This is mainly due to illegal fishing with harmful gears, and the harvesting of juvenile fish. Local fishermen therefore formed a group to monitor and prevent illegal fishing by joining forces of both the community leaders and fishers. If illegal fishing is found, community leaders will coordinate government agencies including the district police and the provincial governor to patrol and arrest illegal fishers by seizing boats and fishing equipment. 

 

The activities

Beginning in 1999;

• There was a discussion meeting (coffee council) circulating in every main house to find a solution to the illegal fishing problem by looking at the model from “Local Fisheries Club, La-ngu District”.
• Fishers gathered and patrolled to detect illegal fishing by themselves.
• A local fishery savings group was established to make a social development fund and a fisherman group, and to do conservation and rehabilitation activities as well such as releasing native aquatic animals to restock wild populations.
• Government agencies, of the opinion that the villagers are strong, have come down to support and plan conservation areas and leave artificial coral reefs for habitat.
• Began to coordinate with the local fisheries network of Thailand in 2013 to form a network in driving the local fisheries development policy. 

However, there are communication problems with groups of people who disagree with conservation. They did not understand the motives of the volunteer workers and encouraged villagers to not participate in the association activities. This has been a significant challenge, but ongoing education and awareness raising is helping to address it. 

 

The benefits/impacts including sustainability/environmental effects

After conservation efforts have been established, we have noted increases in resource availability, increases in the diversity of the number and species of aquatic life, and thus also increased fisher income. There are now no illegal fishing boats causing damage. Villagers are becoming stronger, helping each other and taking part in caring for resources. 

The integration of community members to solve the problem resulted in increased fish populations, more stable fisher careers, and a rich resource base to support the return of people in the communities affected by COVID. There is better food security, and fisher groups are now legally recognized and are involved in policy-making, such as by becoming a provincial fisheries committee which has both male and female representatives of local fisheries.

The community is preparing to cope with disasters by helping to support each other in the community as well as fundraising in the community to form a group to help repair damaged houses, cover medical costs, etc..

 

The success and significance of the activities

The community recognizes the Association by being involved in the Association’s activities. People in the community see the importance of working and helping each other get strong and engaging in resource rehabilitation activities. They learn about the relationship between people and nature, for their shared wellbeing.

 

Some lessons learned or words of wisdom 

The unity and participation of the people in the community is an important part of the successful care of resources – including having a network of various parties working with the community to support, strengthen and develop community capabilities. 

 

 

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Fishery Facts

(Below are the applicable categories of fisheries, environment, species, gear type and livelihood role.)

 

Fishery characteristics:

• Marine capture fishery (e.g. nearshore/coastal/reef-based/deep sea)
• Subsistence
• Multi-species

The environment where fishing takes place: 

• Coastal – Nearshore / Rocky / Coral

Main species targeted:

• Molluscs (including bivalves and cephalopods – e.g. octopus/clams)
• Crustaceans (e.g. shrimp/prawn/lobster)
• Algae or seaweed and other aquatic plants

Gear types/ methods used:

• Gillnet
• Trap/pot
• Beach harvest/gleaning (e.g. collection of shellfish/algae/mangrove crabs etc.)

Role of the fishery in local livelihoods:

• Seasonal