Research on the Amendment of Emergency Decree on Fisheries, B.E. 2558

Abstract

This research purports to review and re-examine the implementation of the 2015 Fisheries Act (B.E. 2558). The research methodology employed within this study involves literature review from relevant laws and concerning regulations and practices including case studies from selected countries. In depth interviews are also carried out on key informants and all relevant interest parties, namely, fishermen, breeders and fish farmers, fishery entrepreneurs, fishery producers and other related businesses, state entities, organisations and concerning fishery associations. The data collection is done so as to gather all related information and existing difficulties arising out of the 2015 Act implementation, of which will be utilised upon analysing and constructing possible solutions and guidelines for the Fisheries Act. The research findings reveal that the implementation of the 2015 Act still contains certain problems and difficulties with respect to its vagueness and the implementation in practice, including the aspect of certain underlying policies and government supports. The researchers accordingly propose a number of essential amendments, basing and referencing from selected case studies, and hereby present policy recommendations on the following key issues: (1) fishery and aquatic resources management policy, (2) VMS and tracing or tracking back system, (3) fishing labour and human trafficking, and (4) an international collaboration and agreement amongst relevant parties.