Essential Ecosystem Approach to Fishery Management (EAFM) Case Studies (Report)

Abstract

The case study demonstrates how EAFM has helped to reduce stakeholder conflict and acquire sustainable financing, leading towards sustainable fisheries management in the Krabi Province of Thailand. Bamboo stake nets have been a major problem in the Krabi Province since the early 1970s, resulting in major conflicts and protests among stakeholders. Several attempts to solve the problem my banning stake nets and then trying to apply the law failed several times. EAFM was introduced in 2017 after a Department of Fisheries (DoF) participated in SEAFDEC’s EAFM training. This resulted in increased participation, better coordination and the application of precautionary approach, which resulted in an increase in abundance and diversity of the marine resources, reduced conflicts and improved livelihoods. It also resulted in increased and sustainable funding for future fisheries management. The main lessons learnt are that Strict law enforcement can be confrontational. It is better to let people adjust their mindsets and attitudes before enforcing the law. Also, fishery officer’s need to get to know the fishing communities to identify and acknowledge the problems and encourage people to participate in a process of finding a solution.