Local traditional fishermen and fishery resource management in Sam Roi Yot freshwater marsh, Prachuap Khiri Khan

Abstract

This study aimed at studying the overall local traditional fisheries at Sam Roi Yot freshwater marsh, the Rights of local fishermen on accessing and participating in fishery resources management and analyzing factors affecting and obstructing the group-setting of local fishermen in order to participate in fishery resources management. Structured questionnaire and in-depth interview were used as key tools for data collection. Target population and sample size of local fishermen consisted of 169 fishing household heads in 12 villages located in the vicinity of Thung Sam Roi Yot Wetlands, Prachuap Khiri Khan province. Data collection was carried out from October 2006 to March 2007. Data analysis was done by Microsoft Excel 2007 software. Results were presented using descriptive statistics, percentage and mean based on the research objectives. The results revealed that there has been a recent change of local traditional fisheries and the development of local fishing gear such as Lob, Lun and Ta-Kad. Local fishermen used punting boats for fishing in Thung Sam Roi Yot and used motorboats for fishing in the brackish canal (Donyainoo). Local fishermen used the Rights for fishing in Thung Sam Roi Yot. Medium and large fish were sold, consumed and distributed to neighbors and small fish were used for feeding fish in the ponds. Shrimp farms were changed to seabass farms. Each fishing household had participated in natural resource conservation for a long time by not using of illegal fishing gear and maintaining Thung Sam Roi Yot marsh in natural conditions. Fish would become more abundant naturally in the rainy season. Fishermen did not catch small fish, burn the plants in the marsh, hunt water birds, but instead planted lotus in the marsh and set up conservation areas in the marsh. Local fishermen had group-setting for wetlands development and conservation. Factors affecting local fishermen group-setting were need of local fishermen to have a leader in problem solving, the need of the state agencies to have promote the participation of communities and fishermen in Thung Sam Roi Yot management and supporting Non-Government Organizations to enhance the understanding of communities and local fishermen in natural resource use and conservation. Factors obstructing group-setting were mismanagement of natural resources, lack of knowledge and no confidence in the participation and use of the Rights of local fishermen, lack of understanding about values and importance of Thung Sam Roi Yot and lack of fishermen group leaders. The wetlands of Thung Sam Roi Yot are important as a source of natural resources. Local fishermen are direct and indirect resource users. Fishermen group-setting is necessary for developing and conserving Thung Sam Roi Yot Wetlands. Any change or damage of natural resources in the Wetlands of Thung Sam Roi Yot should be avoided. Moreover, the state and communities should cooperate with Thung Sam Roi Yot Wetlands conservation and development. Any development activities should be carefully considered.