Fisherfolk
In the last decade an increasing number of small-scale fishermen in Southern Thailand encountered the problem of diminishing sea catches which was mainly the result of unsustainable fishing practices, such as overfishing, use of inappropriate fishing gears that destroys the seafloor habitat, a lack of moratorium, etc. Such practices upset the delicate balance of the marine ecosystem and erode the marine food web which could potentially lead to loss of other important marine life. The Federation of Thai Fisherfolk Association educates the small-scale fishermen who are their members of sustainable fishing practices and set up rules for which they have to abide. Fisherfolk is set up as a business arm of the federation to act as the middleman to link the seafood from the small-scale fishermen with consumers. Fisherfolk pays the small-scale fishermen at a price around 5-20% higher than that offered by the other middlemen as an incentive for them to commit to sustainable fishing practices. On top of that, 20% of the profit from Fisherfolk is allocated to support marine conservation activities.
: 12
: 0.00
To improve economic well-being of small scale fishermen in Southern Thailand
Goal 14: Life Below Water
14.b Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets
To conserve ocean ecosystem through sustainable fishery
Goal 14: Life Below Water
14.2 By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
To empower women from small scale fishermen households through employment
Goal 5: Gender Equality
5.5 Ensure women's full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life
Small scale fishermen |
||
|
500 small scale fishermen distributed in 5 locations, including Prachuap, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Satun, Pattalung and Songkhla.
Low and unstable income due to 1) diminishing amount of sea catches due to overfishing by commercial fishing boats; 2) price monopoly and exploitation by middlemen
|
||
Fisherfolk purchases sea catches from small scale fishermen at prices 5-20% higher than market rate |
|
|
Regulate fishing practices (i.e. forbid the use of destructive equipment, impose fishing moratorium) |
||
Implement conservation activities |
||
fishermen |
||
|
500 households
unstable income |
||
|
|
||