Experience in the Zoning of Fish Cage and Shellfish Culture Areas

Abstract

The demarcation of coastal areas in Pathew Bay officially proclaimed by the Chumporn province. Local fishers, fish-farmers and other stakeholders utilize these areas for fishing, cruising boat and engaging in fish cage culture and shellfish culture. The Chumporn provincial office of fisheries proposed the concept of the zoning of fish and shellfish culture to all local stakeholders. Objectives of this concept are to control numbers of fish-farmers and numbers of fish cages and areas. The concept of aquaculture zoning areas composed of two purposes. The first purpose was to change allowable areas for utilizing only shellfish culture areas cited in the provincial proclamation. This area should be changed to a purpose from shellfish culture areas to be community (Tambol) culture areas. The second purpose was to designate coastal zones for utilize as fish and shellfish allowable culture areas that local stakeholders have marked, considered and agreed by local people s consensus. The preparation of aquaculture zoning areas predicates two steps that are 1) at the Moobaan based step is to achieve the sharing of common interests and satisfaction of local users and stakeholders and 2) at the Tambol (sub-district) step is to strengthen the community needs and requirement through Ao.Bo.To. s approval and contribution.