Adaptation Guidelines of Thai Fishermen Under the Blue Economy Concept

Abstract

The Blue Economy Concept is economic and social development, along with considering the impact on the marine environment. Driving this concept requires cooperation from all sectors, government, private, people, and society in changing production and consumption behaviors to help conserve marine and coastal resources to be sustainable and socially responsible. This concept is consistent with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 14 Life below Water: Sustainable Conservation and Use of the Oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development. In the past, our country used marine resources for exploitation in large quantities, including fisheries, maritime, transportation, and energy from gas and fuel. In contrast, maritime interests remained in the hands of a minority of Thai people. Moreover, the use of resources is irrespective of sustainability; maintaining or not considering how to keep marine resources abundant can be used until the next generation. The most crucial challenge of the Blue Economy is “Sustainability.” Therefore, there are guidelines for adjusting Thai fishermen under the blue economy concept as follows:1) promote fishing by regulating and developing small-scale fisheries to have potential and partially replace large-scale fisheries. This will ensure domestic consumers that produce caught in small fisheries will be consumed by humans and not be used to make animal feed, 2) support of people and communities in resource management by promoting and supporting the participation of people and communities in resource management, resource stewardship, and maintaining the environment in their area, 3) promotion and dissemination of knowledge on marine and coastal resource management, 4) integration of interagency cooperation to maintain marine and coastal interests, 5) encouraging the people's sector to learn and understand how to apply sustainability principles to their careers or businesses related to marine interests, 6) make participation in the blue economy by emphasizing on fishermen contribution in reducing maritime pollution, conservation and restoration of ecosystems, promoting ecotourism, stop IUU fishing, and sufficiency utilization of resources.