Promoting Community Participation in Sustainable Coastal Fisherie of Prachuap Khri Khan Province

Abstract

This research aimed to (1) study the conditions of community participation in sustainable coastal fisheries in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, (2) investigate the components of the community participation in sustainable coastal fisheries in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, and (3) seek guidelines for use in formulating policies to promote the community participation in sustainable coastal fisheries in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. The research was qualitative in nature.  26 key informants were purposively selected for in-depth interviews; the key informants were comprised of three groups of people, namely a group of 11 people belonged to the private sector, a group of 8 people belonged to the public sector, and a group of seven people were experts; the research procedure comprised two steps: documentary study and in-depth interview, the collected data were analyzed by organizing and analyzing in line with the research objectives.

The research findings were: (1) the condition of community participation in sustainable coastal fisheries in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province comprised four areas: maintenance, conservation, resource rehabilitation and sustainable use of resources, it was noteworthy that the nature of community participation included prohibition against any action in the aquatic animal holding area that might adversely affect aquatic animal resource; creation of aquatic conservation zones; releasing aquatic species; laying down coral reefs, establishing blue swimming crab banks; and controlling as well as guarding against illegal fishing. (2) Concerning the components of community participation in sustainable coastal fisheries in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, they encompassed four areas: participation in decision making, participation in operations, participation in reaping benefits, and participation in evaluation. Concerning the seeking of guidelines for use in formulating policies to promote the community participation in sustainable coastal fishing, it was found that the sustainability of fisheries resources was bared on the participation of fishing communities with regard to the proper use and maintenance, conservation, restoration of home resources, and various projects supported by the public and private sectors. Therefore, formulating policies to promote coastal fisheries must be focused on the promotion of the community members to take part in all relevant activities.