The Implementing of Commercial Fisheries Policy B.E. 2558 – Present: The Challenges of Change

Abstract

This paper investigates the commercial fisheries policy in Thailand. The objectives are to 1) Study the policy on commercial fisheries in Thailand; 2) Examine the roles of stakeholders in implementing the policy on commercial fisheries from B.E. 2558 to the present; 3) Analyze the guideline for commercial fisheries policy implementation. Previous studies and documentary analysis revealed that the management system of the commercial fisheries in Thailand was inefficient, resulting in the fisheries exceeding the natural resources' production capacity, widely known as overfishing. In B.E. 2558, the European Union (EU) officially warned that if the Thai government does not cooperate with tackling illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUU Fishing) or not address these issues adequately, the EU will not import the fishery products from Thailand. This prompted the government to change the fisheries policy direction urgently. Then, the Royal Ordinance on Fisheries B.E. 2558 was announced, causing a drastic change in how the government officials work and the fishing occupation. Those involved in this policy implementation are the political departments, state institutions, government officials, and stakeholders affected by this policy. This paper analyzes that a proper approach towards policy implementation should include preventing and suppressing illegal fishing with concrete participation from all parties concerned. This will encourage people affected by the policy and the government to mutually solve the problems and establish a common guideline for implementing the policy.