Bangkok: Local fishermen have petitioned the government to review Section 69 of the draft amendment to the Fisheries Act, fearing it will negatively impact small fish and the marine ecosystem. Representatives of small-scale fishermen gathered in front of the Ministry of Agriculture to request a meeting with Prime Minister Thammanat, urging the government to review Section 69 of the 2015 Fisheries Act, which is currently under consideration for amendment. The small-scale fishermen fear that allowing the use of fine-mesh nets will negatively impact small fish and the ecosystem.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Piya Tesyaem, President of the Federation of Thai Traditional Fishermen's Associations, along with representatives of traditional fishermen, submitted a petition to the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives. They requested that the government and relevant agencies reconsider the draft amendment to the Fisheries Act B.E. 2558 (2015), particularly Section 69, which proposes the use of fine-mesh nets for fishing.
Mr. Piya stated that local fishermen are concerned that allowing the use of fine-mesh nets could impact aquatic resources, particularly small fish and juvenile marine life, potentially affecting the long-term balance of the marine ecosystem. The protesters requested a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Captain Thamanat Phromphao, in his capacity as Chairman of the National Fisheries Committee, to discuss solutions and find a joint approach to this issue. The gathering was peaceful and took place in front of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives.
According to the original schedule, the National Fisheries Policy Committee meeting (2/2569) will be held this afternoon. It is expected to consider clarifying the criteria and methodologies for research on anchovy fishing using fine-mesh purse seine nets (0.6 mm) and light lures, a topic being closely watched by many parties as it could impact the long-term balance of marine resource utilization in Thailand.
Latest reports at 1:50 PM indicate that the meeting has been postponed indefinitely.