Report trip for Resources Management Survey at Klong Kone Sub-District, Samut Songkhram Province

Date: 21 November 2013

Objective

1. To collect data on meal serving activity of KKMCC eco-tourism.

2. To collect data on involvement of KKMCC eco-tourism.

Result

The Social team interviewed Mr. Phenithi (Chet) Rattanapongthara, leader of Klong Kone Mangrove Conservation Center (KKMCC), about the number of member and number of visitor. He explained that there are 138 members in KKMCC, who come from Village no. 2, 3, 5 and 7. However, member of KKMCC mostly stay in Village no.2 and 3, they earn income from boat rental for eco-tourism. The member from village no. 5 and 7 can gain income from take care of sea hut, they receive 50 baht per 1 visitor. He also explained on the mangrove planting areas which cover around 12,000 Rai. For the percentage of visitor in this year, He mention that 40%, 30%, 20% and 10% of visitors are Education Institute, Company, Government, and Tourist (foreigners), respectively.  

The Social team interview Ms. Sarunya (Nui) Rattanapongthara, who in charge of prepare food for visitors. She said that the members of meal serving activity has 5 persons and the menu of food serving are created depend on material and favorable dish for tourist. They buy all material from Maekong market. They can get 300 baht/time for cooking. If the tourists stay overnight, they can get 500 baht/time.

To study the opinion of fisher on the fisheries resources and natural environment while the eco-tourism has operated, the social team conducted data collection by interviewing the fishers who do not involve in eco-tourism activities. The main target group of sample is fisher in Village no.2 and 3 and total number of fisher interviewed is 9 fishers. Most fisher do fishing by collect cockle, green mussel culturing and some fisher have shrimp aquaculture.

Training course on Facilitating Fisheries Information Gathering Through Introduction of Community-based Fisheries Management

Date: 17-20 June 2013 and 27 October-1 November 2013

Venue: Luang Prabang and Champasack Province, respectively

Objectives:

1. To transfer the knowledge on Lao Fisheries law to local officer and local fishing community.

2. To introduce the knowledge and experience on practical approach to community-based fisheries management and co-management to local fishing community of  Lao PDR.

3. To strengthen practical in competence in cooperation and implementing the applicable inland fishery management plans by local fishing community.

4. Support establishing support officer system towards institutional building of stakeholders for inland fisheries management through capacity building for fisheries extension activities.
5. Provide the practical tool and methodology of fisheries data collection in inland small-scale fisheries for better development and management of fisheries resources to ensure sustainable livelihood for fishing communities.

The Government of Lao PDR promotes on fisheries communities to manage fisheries such as operation on illegal fishing activities by themselves, thus fisheries communities, and institutional as the leader or core person to encourages fishers and farmers through transferring knowledge and activities on sustainable fisheries development and co-management in inland fisheries. In order to promote the concept of community-based fisheries management and co-management to local fishing community, the Department of Livestock and Fisheries of Lao PDR was requested to SEAFDEC for supporting to conduct an on-site training course on facilitating fisheries information gathering through introduction of community-based fisheries management for local fisheries officers of Lao PDR. Therefore, Two training courses were conducted as Lao PDR requested. The first training was conducted in Luang Prabang from 17-20 June 2013. The second training was conducted from 27 October-1 November 2013 in Champasack Province in Lao PDR.

The presentations was the same as on-site training in SEAFDEC's Member Countries. There are both lecture and workshop. The lecture focused on 1) the importance of resource management for sustainable fisheries, 2) Appropriate Monitoring Control and Surveillance, 3) Community-based fisheries management, 4) How to introduce and facilitate community-based fisheries management to fisheries community,  5) Rights-based fisheries management, 6) Concept and effective Methodology on Data Collection, 7) Data collection through CBFM, 8) Improving management of financial and economic activities including promotion of alternative livelihood in fishing communities, 9) Case study on community-based management in Nam Haum reservoir, 10) Establishment of fisher group: under SEAFDEC’s project, 11) Ecosystem approach to fisheries management. Moreover, there are lectures from Laos' side such as introduce Lao fisheries law and Lesson learned on fisheries co-management guideline. 

In addition, the workshop on "how to organize community-based management in each province through reviewing difficulty and find the way go forward" was conducted by divided the participants into 3 groups. The session 1 of the workshop was to conduct pre survey of community, session 2 was education for Community Fisher, session 3 was organize core person meeting, session 4 was establish community fisheries management organization. The participants were very active to participate the workshop.

In course evaluation, the participants were very appreciated and thank to SEAFDEC and DLF of Lao PDR for organizing the training course. Futhermore, the participants suggessted that the training should be organized again and should be extend more than 5 days. As well as the discusstion session is short, it should have more time to discuss.