Building stewardship capacity with local organizations with Sustainable Development Foundation (SDF) Thailand

 

 

The organization and local perspectives on conservation and stewardship

 

Sustainable Development Foundation (SDF) is a non-governmental organization founded in 1996 and officially registered as a juristic body in Thailand on December 14, 1999. SDF works to create a sustainable future for resource-dependent communities and vulnerable natural ecosystems across Thailand. We promote and support the participation of resource-dependent communities in the management of natural resources, and work on disaster risk reduction and adaptation to climate change. Key operational issues for the organization are community rights, the empowerment of women, and supporting development and good governance at the grassroots level. SDF works by using a joint management approach and a local empowerment-building approach. We help to improve the management and sharing of of information both at the national level and within local government organizations. SDF promotes constructive participation in policy processes through a combination of research, advocacy, coordination and networking.

 

Globalization and capitalism result in an imbalance in natural resource management. Communities are often less self-reliant. There is an increase in the gap between the rich and the poor. With a modular development concept there was competition for natural resources and conflict between the state and the people. This situation leads to problems that degrade natural resources rapidly. The resource base, which is the source of food, jobs, and supports the way of life of the community is threatened. Humans are an inseparable part of the ecosystem. If we are using natural resources at such devastating rates and affecting the ecological balance, human wellbeing will also be thrown off by that imbalance. From such a case, a sustainable development concept was born. This is a development that emphasizes holism and integration.

 

Stewardship experience: “Lack of balance in natural resource management, Lack of community involvement, Social disparities”

 

The issue or problem being addressed

Recent developments have focused on economic expansion, with the concept of modular development causing the struggle for natural resources and conflicts between the state and the people. The imbalance of resource management and lack of attention to social dimensions results in rapid degradation of natural resources. Lack of participation in the use and maintenance of resources is causing increased social and economic inequality. Initially caused by a devastating fishing problem and a law permitting the use of destructive fishing tools, we now see significant degradation of marine resources. Local fishing groups collectively called for the amendment of the law and to abolish destructive fishing gear.

 

The activities

Local fishing groups unified to form a strong community organization and then a network of the whole country, and gained and active role to participate in sustainable resource management at the community and policy levels. They raised their concerns and made the state realize the importance of supporting the community in conserving and restoring resources and to include them in the design of resource use regulations.

 

The benefits/impacts including sustainability/environmental effects

By making the community strong with increased understanding of the importance of sustainable use of resources, the resources will be continually protected and maintained. Through this process, the government was encouraged to devolve some of their authority and include local people in participatory resource management. This has empowered local fishers and community members to take responsibility for their impact on the environment.

 

The success and significance of the activities

This process creates committed people who work on strengthening communities and promoting sustainable resource management, creating a strong, nation-wide community of local fishermen and a global indigenous fishery network. There are now representatives of local fishermen to participate in discussions and decision making regarding sustainable resource management at the national policy level. The strength of the community makes it possible to better cope with both natural and policy-borne threats. Communities have more access to information and better recognition of their rights than in the past. These types of programs can drive the implementation of the SSF framework in the national formulation of the Fisheries Policy Plan of the Department of Fisheries. Government agencies have begun to put gender dimensions and climate change adaptation issues into national plans and policies.

 

Some lessons learned or words of wisdom 

Sustainable development must focus on the development of people, with participation of all sectors, and innovation to drive jobs for transformational power at the community and policy levels.

 

 

*************************************************************************************************

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)
• Recreational/ sport fishery
• Subsistence fishery
• Single-species

The environment where fishing takes place: 

• Freshwater – riverine / lake / wetland/ reservoir
• Coastal – Lagoon
• Habitat – Rocky / Coral

Main species targeted:

• Marine – Large pelagics (finfish) – e.g. tuna/sharks
• Marine – Small pelagics (finfish) – e.g. reef fishes/herring/mackerel/sardines
• Marine – Demersal finfish – e.g. cod/flatfish/grouper
• Molluscs (including bivalves and cephalopods – e.g. octopus/clams)
• Crustaceans (e.g. shrimp/prawn/lobster)
• Other animals (e.g. jellyfish/sea cucumber)
• Algae or seaweed and other aquatic plants

Gear types/ methods used:

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

Role of the fishery in local livelihoods:

• Main source of employment
• Secondary/ supplemental source of employment
• Seasonal