The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Department of Fisheries, Thailand has signed a Letter of Agreement (LOA) for the execution of the GEF supported project “Strategies for trawl fisheries bycatch management” (REBYC‐II CTI; GCP/RAS/269/GFF). Thailand by the Department of Fisheries. The Marine Fisheries Research and Development Bureau are implementing the project in two areas of the Gulf of Thailand. Prachuab Kiri Khan and Chumphon is the first site and the focus of the work is on the enlargement of codend mesh sizes for trawlers. The Central Gulf Marine Fisheries Research and Development Center (CMDEC), located in Chumphon is taking the lead research role for these experiments. The second site is in Trat province, where management measures for closed areas and closed seasons are being established to protect fish larvae and spawners. The Eastern Marine Fisheries Research and Development (EMDEC), located in Rayong province, is leading this work

Understanding the spatial and temporal distribution of commercial fish larvae is important when determining trawl fishing grounds and seasons. In this connection, the Marine Fisheries Research and Development Division under the DOF organized a stakeholder consultation to present the results of the fish larvae identification and distribution study in Ao Trat in order to raise awareness of these issues with fishers and fishing gear owners. At the same time DOF gathered stakeholder ideas, problems and assessed their willingness to cooperateinthe proposed Area and Season Closuresof Ao Trat aimed at more sustainable fisheries. Specific Objectives of the REBYC‐II CTI Project in Thailand under the 2nd LOA.

• To present results from the fish larvaeidentification and distribution survey;

• Discuss implications of the study on the Area/Seasonal Closures planned for Ao Trat; and

• Agree on thearea and season to be closed and what types of fishing gear prohibited

Supongpa, M., Sinananand, P., & Sinananand, T. (2015). Stakeholder Consultation Meeting in Trat province Results on the fish larvae distribution in Trat for management. Training Department, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center