Bangkok: Starting tomorrow, applications for "Commercial and Artisanal Fishing Licenses" for the 2026-2027 period will open from February 1st to 28th, 2026. Relaxed conditions will be implemented to help revive the livelihoods of fishermen and move forward with the management of Thai fishing vessels.

According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Airin Panthurit, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, revealed that the government, through the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, is moving forward with managing the Thai fishing fleet. Owners of both commercial and artisanal fishing vessels are invited to prepare and submit applications for fishing licenses for the 2026-2027 fishing year from February 1st to 28th, 2026. She emphasized the need to complete the process before the start of the new fishing year on April 1st, 2026, to ensure legal fishing practices. Furthermore, the government is continuing its policy focused on supporting the restoration of fishing livelihoods. This includes allowing fishermen with existing licenses, those whose vessels have sunk or been lost, to use other vessels to apply for licenses. Those who previously had disqualifying characteristics are also eligible to apply. The process is divided into two main groups as follows:

1. Commercial Fishing (Vessels 10 gross tons and above): Boat owners wishing to fish in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea for four groups of aquatic animals (bottom-dwelling animals, surface fish, anchovies, and sea cucumbers) can apply at the Bangkok Area Fisheries Office or the District Fisheries Office in the coastal area. The types of fishing gear, vessel size (gross tonnage), and the number/size of fishing gear that can be used for commercial fishing licenses are as follows:

1.1 High-efficiency fishing gear group, consisting of 8 types of equipment: 1. Double trawl net 2. Beam trawl net 3. Spreader trawl net 4. Purse seine net 5. Anchovy purse seine net 6. Anchovy encircling net 7. Anchovy scoop/lift net 8. Generator boat (power boat).

1.2 Low-efficiency fishing gear group, consisting of 16 tools: 1. Squid seine net 2. Mackerel scoop net 3. Gill net 4. Shrimp trawl net 5. Clam rake 6. Cockle rake 7. Other shellfish rake 8. Sea cucumber rake 9. Fish trap 10. Crab trap 11. Squid trap 12. Cuttlefish trap 13. Longline fishing 14. Crab lifting panel 15. Hand fishing rod 16. Other tools.

2. Small-scale Fishing (Vessels under 10 gross tons): Boat owners wishing to fish in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea, categorized into three groups of aquatic animals - bottom-dwelling fish, surface fish, and anchovies - can apply for a small-scale fishing license at the Bangkok Area Fisheries Office or the District Fisheries Office in their coastal area, and through the Department of Fisheries' Small Scale Service (SSS) licensing system. The types of fishing gear, vessel size (gross tons), and the number/size of fishing gear permitted under a small-scale fishing license are as follows:

2.1 High-efficiency fishing gear group, consisting of 6 types of nets: 1. Bottom trawl net 2. Beam trawl net 3. Purse seine net (with guide line) 4. Anchovy purse seine net (with guide line) 5. Anchovy encircling net 6. Anchovy scoop/lift net.

2.2 Low-efficiency fishing tools, consisting of 4 tools: 1. Clam rake 2. Cockle rake 3. Other shellfish rake 4. Squid trap.

Ms. Airin stated that boat owners applying for licenses must prepare the necessary documents to submit their applications to the local district office, including:

1. Present the applicant's valid national identification card (for both commercial and artisanal fishing).

2. Certificate of Juristic Person (issued no more than 3 months prior to the date of issuance, for commercial fishing only).

3. Power of attorney (if applicable), along with copies of the national ID cards of both the grantor and the grantee (for both commercial and artisanal fishing).

4. Letter of consent for the use of a fishing vessel, in cases where there is joint ownership of the fishing vessel for which a license is being applied (both commercial and artisanal fishing).

5. Photographs of the fishing vessel, taken no more than 3 months ago. For commercial fishing: 3 photos stating: 1. Clear identification; 2. Bow showing name/registration/mark; 3. Full view of the vessel from the left or right. For artisanal fishing: 4 photos stating: 1. Clear identification; 2. Bow showing name/registration/mark; 3. Full view of the vessel from the left or right; 4. Wide-angle view showing the location of the vessel identification process.

6. Other evidence and documents required to support the application.

'Once the Department of Fisheries has completed its review, the results will be sent to the local district fisheries office to inform applicants before the start of the new fishing year. This will allow commercial and small-scale fishing vessels to continue fishing legally and continuously. Importantly, this year, the Department of Fisheries is offering fishermen whose licensed vessels have sunk or been lost the opportunity to use other vessels to apply for licenses. Those who were previously prohibited from obtaining licenses can also apply, due to amendments to the fisheries law. Applicants wishing to change fishing areas or fishing gear across different fisheries groups can also submit applications. The Department of Fisheries will consider these applications according to established criteria. If these applications do not affect the maximum permitted catch volume as approved by the National Fisheries Policy Committee and do not violate any relevant laws, the Department of Fisheries is ready to grant permis sion for fishing as desired. This aims to promote and revitalize the fishing industry and bring Thai fisheries back as a vital engine for economic growth,' Ms. Airin stated.