Report on Follow-up Activities in implementing/promoting Community-based Fisheries Management and Co-management in Nam Oon Dam

Date: 16-20 November 2015

Venue: Sakon Nakhon Province, Thailand

Objectives

1. Monitoring catch data from logbook with 16 fisheries communities around Nam Oon Dam, which collected catch data with 2 period, 1) 1 March – 15 April 2015, 2) 15 August – 31 December 2015; and

2. Monitoring community’s measurement on closing season from rule signboard, which contain the close season period, the allowed date for fishing during closing season, prohibited fishing gear and conservation zone; and

3. Monitoring fish catch by logbook with middleman.

Result

SEAFDEC/TD, DOF from Head Quarter and Local Fisheries Officers of Nam Oon Dam Unit organized the meeting. There were two main objectives; 1) To inform the meeting on the work plan and information, and 2) To make understand with local fisheries officers on attitude questionnaire. 

The meeting was organized with 16 fisheries communities by divided into 4 points (4 communities per one point). The meeting was hold at night time (1800-2000) because most of fishermen have to go for rice field harvesting in daytime. At the meeting, there were two main information; new Thai fisheries laws and establish fisheries community to be organization.

In the evening of each day, we organized the meeting with fishermen at point 1, 2, 3, and 4. Point 1: Baan Kong Paklouy, Baan Dong Kam Pho, Baan NongBau, and Baan Na Chuak. Point 2: Baan Na Lao, Baan Nha Than, Baan Hoy Bun and Baan NongPhu. Point 3: Baan Kok Sung, Baan Klang, Baan KokManow, and Baan NongPhugtiem. Point 4: Baan KudTakap, Baan Thai Charoen, Baan Na Kum, and Baan NongPling.     

Mr. Surachai, Head of Nam Oon Dam Fisheries Management Unit, introduced SEAFDEC and DOF team, and explained the objectives of this meeting, including inform on new Thai fisheries laws, and advantage from fisheries community registration, and the objective of attitude questionnaire. Then let the fisherman filled the questionnaire.

Moreover, we visited landing site at Baan Dong Kum Pho. There were 4 main middlemen in this community. His fishing gear was gill net but there were many mesh size. The main species was Tilapia, goby. At 0300 a.m., SEAFDEC and DOF went to Nam Ooon Dam to observe fishing operation at Nam Oon Dum. We met fishermen, who fishing by gill net and hook & line at fishing ground.

In addition, we got 32 logbooks from 16 fisheries communities. These logbooks started to record catch data from 16 August to mid of November 2015, and logbooks will be continued to recorded until 31 December 2015.

The objective of attitude questionnaire will be evaluated regulation for measurement in Nam Oon Dam, which starting from 16 April to 15 August 2015.  The total of attitude questionnaire was 87.

Report Trip for Social Survey in Rayong Province

Date: 1-4 September 2015

Venue: Rayong Province, Thailand

Objectives

1. To collect the additional data in order to develop the academic paper for complete RIHN project.

2. To identify the coastal area of Rayong Province, the situation of 3 zone; industry zone, tourism zone and natural zone (mangrove area).

3. To discuss with Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) on the conservation activitysupport to Fisher Groups

Result

1. Discussion with Muang District Fisheries Officer

Social team visit Muang District Fisheries office to discuss with Ms. Pairat Jearat, Muang District Fisheries Officer on the situation of Rayong Coastal zone as result of the survey show that the fishing income and catch price differ in each zone. She explained that the fishers in Industrial zone are active fishing compare with the other zones.In addition, the factory of Industrial zone have policy to support the communities in order to conserve and rehabilitate fisheries resources as well as the fisher livelihood by provide fund to the fisher groups for operating group activities such as crab bank, microcredit, fish processing product and releasing fingerling. The factories also give priority for job opportunity to the fisher’s children. After discussion, she accompanies our team to visit Kao Yod Fisher Group to observe Crab Bank activity.

2. Visit Crab Bank at Kao Yod Fisher Group

Crab Bank was established in March 2015 which funding support from Department of Fisheries andMap Ta Phut Industrial Port. There are 30 fishers involve in crab bank activity and they have donated crab with eggs to crab bank around 20-50 crabs per day, the crab will put into tank and waiting for its releasing eggs around two days, then release crab eggs into the sea at night time 8 p.m. The group will sell crab to the middleman and the income will keep for group administration such as electricity bill and water supply etc. besides the group also collect some eggs squid from the fishers waiting for hatching and release it to the Sea. The Fishers think that the crab bank activity could help them to enhance the swimming crab resources due to they can catch more swimming crab after 2 month starting this activity.

3. Discussion on Survey plan

The social team agree and confirm on the categories coastal zone of Rayong into three zone; industry zone, tourism zone and natural zone (mangrove area) that would analyst the result by zone. However, we will collect more information on the trend of catch, trend of catch price, trend of catch size from 5-10 years ago, No. of fishing gear used per trip and source of additional income during low season. The planning decide to collect the data by sample 3 fishers in each fisher group. We plan to discuss with the DMCR of Rayong Province on the support program to the fisher group in term of enhancement and rehabilitate fisheries resources.

4. Discuss with DMCR

The social team visited the Coastal and Marine Resources Research Center of DMCR at Pak Nam Prasae, Klang district and met Ms. Chalatip Junchompoo, Marine Biologist, she explained that the main function of this office is the research work focusing on water quality, conservation and rehabilitation of coral reefs, sea grass, sea turtle and endangered species. Moreover, recently this research center implement the project on Monitor the water quality in Prasae River through promoting community participation to evaluate and improve water quality by using E.M. (Effective Micro-organisms). Then, we visited the Coastal and Marine Resources Conservation Center of DMCR at Phe Sub-district, Muang District where emphasize on conservation and enhancement the resources, the main activities are mangrove plantation, Installation of Artificial reefs, Enforcement, Promoting Fish Enhancing Device and Fish house.

5. Collect additional data from the fishers  

The social team collect the additional data from the fishermen of 13 fisher group namely: Ao Makham Pom, Nern Kho, Rua Rop Luang Prasae, Municipal Klang, Khok Laem Tien, Klong Ka Cher, Laem Rung Ruang,Kon Puk, Ban Kao Yod,  Pakklong Takuan, Takuan Ao Praduu, Nong Fab and Payoon Fishers group, The main information focus on catch, size, trend of price, fishing gear used and additional income during low season. The total number of fisher respondents is 35 fishers and the results of this survey conclude as follow:

1.    There are 31 fishermen agree that the fisheries resources are decreased from last 5-10 years.

2.    For the price trend, 25 fishermen think that the price of catch is increasing however, 7 fishermen said that the price of catch are not change from the past and 3 fisher think the price is decreasing.

3.    Twenty four fishermen explain that the number of fishermen is increased, 6 of them said that it is not change of the fishermen engagement in fisheries.

4.    The main fishing gear of 25 fishermen is crab gill net follow by fish gill net and squid jigging.

5.    The average number of Crab gill net that the fishermen use 6 set which combine of 4-6 net and the length of net is around 100 meter/net.

6.    Most fishermen use fishing boat with length 6-7 meters.

7.    Most fishermen engage in crab gill net that they operate fishing whole year during monsoon season if they cannot go for fishing because of the strong wind, the fishermen will repair fishing boat and preparing fishing gear. Some fishermen use fishing gear more than one type and they will change fishing gear for appropriate season. There are 3 fishermen culturing green mussel.

8.    The main fisheries activities that fishermen involved are installation of Fish Aggregate Devices and Artificial reefs, Release fish fingerling, Crab Bank, Mangrove plantation and zoning.

9.    PTT Public Company Limited gave compensation to fishermen 30,000 baht after oil spill in the sea near Samed Island. Some factory support fish house to fisher group.

10.                        The sea food price in the area is depend on the middlemen setting price that related to market price with refer to demand and supply of sea food.

11.                        Fifteen fishermen think that the size of target species was smaller than the past and 12 fishermen said that the target size is not change.

Report on Monitoring and Facilitating Fisheries Information Gathering Through Introduction of Community-based Fisheries Management

Date: 3-7 August 2015

Venue: Sakon Nakhon Province, Thailand

Objectives

1.   To present the result of catch data from logbook to each community, which collected catch data by 78 fishermen from 1 March to 15 April 2015; and 

2.   Monitoring community’s measurement on closing season from rule signboard, which contain the closing season period, the allowed date for fishing during close season, prohibited fishing gear and conservation zone; and

3.   Continue on collecting fish catch at before and after closing season (16 April-15 August) by logbook with middleman and fishermen around Nam Oon Dam.

Result

II. Meeting with DOF

SEAFDEC team and DOF’s staffs from head quarter and Fisheries Management unit of Nam Oon Dam discussed at Nam Oon Dam Fishery Management Unit on the plan of this trip. The meeting discuss on the work plan to conduct the community meeting in 16 communities by divide into 4 points and each point compose of 4 communities as follow:

Point No. 1: Ban Na lao, Ban Huay Bun, Ban Nong Phua and Ban Na Tun

Point No. 2: Ban Klang, Ban Khok Sung, Ban Nong Pak Tiem and Ban Khok Manow

Point No. 3: Ban Kud Takap, Ban Nong Pling, Ban Na Kham and Ban Thai Chareon

Point No. 4: Ban Na Chuak, Ban Dong Kham Pho, Ban Nong Bua and Ban Khong Pakuay

The closing season of Nam Oon Dam start in 16 April until 15 August of year. Before closing season, SEAFDEC provide catching logbook to fisher representatives to record their catch from 1 March to 15 April, totally 45 days. The data from logbook will useful to monitor the quantity of fish in Nam Oon Dam. Therefore, in the community meeting, SEAFDEC presented on the result of catch data which recorded by the fisher representatives using logbook. Moreover, the representatives of each community will continue to record their catch into the logbook after closing season (start from 16 August and also provide them catching logbook, pen and T-shirt). We also clarified the fish catch species of Nam Oon fishing ground that fishers record in difference local name and prepare picture of fish to identify fish species. The Nam Oon Fisheries Management Unit presented on the hatchery and breeding activities and encourage fisher in the Community to enhance the fisheries resources.

Community Meeting at Point No. 1

The total number of fishers in Point No. 1  was 160 fishers divided into 4 communities , namely, Ban Na lao, Ban Huay Bun, Ban Nong Phua and Ban Na Tun (30, 30, 40 and 60 fishers respectively). The meeting was organized at Ban Na Tun community attending by 51 fisher representatives from 4 Communities. Ms. Sumitra Ruangsivakul presented on the result of catch data from catching logbook.

There are 20 volunteers to record catch data. The result showed that most fishers used gillnet for fishing (78%). The main catch species were Common silver barb, Jullien’s mud carp and Spotted featherback. The total catch was 4,634 Kg. The fishers (78%) sold their catch in the village, and 22% of fisher sold to the middlemen. Total catch value was 188,335.50 Baht. For fish utilization, they sold fresh product and they used for fish processing 14%, and for household consumption about 10%. 

In this Point, we got 2 volunteers in each community to continue record their fish catch. After that, Mr. Surachai Sermsuk, Head of Nam Oon Fisheries Management Unit presented the activities on fish breeding which conducted at hatchery of Nam Oon Fisheries Management Unit. Moreover, he mentioned that he will transfer knowledge on fish breeding to the fishers who interested in fish culture as well as he asked fishers to bring fish breeder to him for breeding and increase fish stock. 

Community Meeting at Point No. 2

The Communities of Point No. 2 consisted of Ban Klang, Ban Khok Sung, Ban Nong Pak Tiem and Ban Khok Manow. The Community Meeting of Point No. 2 was hold in Ban Khok Manow Community. There were 16 fishers participated in this meeting. The catch data was recorded by 20 representatives. Ms. Sumitra Ruangsivakul presented the result of data collection, that gillnet is the most fishing gear which fishers favor use for fishing 72% followed by trap 14%. The main catch species were Jullien’s mud carp 879.5 kg, Common silver barb 498.5 kg, and Blanc’s stripped featherback 296.4 kg. The total catch of 20 representatives was 2,636.4 kg.

For fish distribution, the fishers sold their catch to the middlemen inside the village 42%, and 20% of fishers sold their fish by themselves in the village. They sold to the middlemen outside the village and sold at the market with 19% respectively. Total catch value was 99,973 Baht. For fish utilization, Only 10% of fish that they use for consumption in their family. 77% of catch were  sold in fresh product, and 13% for fish processing for selling and consumption.

In this Point, two fishers in each community would be the representatives to record their catch data into the logbook providing by SEAFDEC. 

Community Meeting at Point No. 3

This Point also composed of 4 villages, namely, Ban Thai Charoen, Ban Kud Takap, Ban Na Kum, and Ban Nong Pling. There were 34 fishers came for meeting. The meeting started with introduction of the background and objectives of the meeting, and then SEAFDEC presented the result of data analysis from logbook that collected by 16 fishers in these 4 villages. The result showed that the area for fishing grounds of these villages were Ban Kud Takap and Ban Na Lao. Main fishing gears were Net (51.8%), Hook and line (26.6%) and Trap (15.6%).

For fish selling, most of them (48.3%) sold fish to middleman. 28.5% of fishers sold in village while 23.3% sold at the local market. The fishers in Point No.3 could collect 13 fish species. Most fish species caught are Spotted featherback (672.1 kg.), Grey featherback (353.6 kg.), and Lipped barb (337 kg.). For fish utilization, fish processing was 3%, household consumption 9%, and fresh selling 88%. Total catch in this Point was 1,992.2 Kg. The total real fishers in 4 villages was 22 fishers. The total income of these 4 villages was 113,428 Baht.

In addition, Point No. 3 have 8 volunteers (2 volunteers for each village). The meeting distributed the logbook, T-shirt and pen for each volunteer.

Community Meeting at Point No. 4

There were 4 villages, namely, Ban Nong Bua, Ban Na Chuak, Ban Dong Kum Pho, and Ban Kong Paklouy. In the meeting had 26 fishers.  Mr. Surachai  Sermsuk  introduced the purpose of this meeting. Then, the result from logbook that collected by 22 fishers in this Point was shown to the meeting.

The result showed that the area for fishing grounds of these villages were Ban Na Chuak, Ban Kong Paklouy and Ban Nong Bua. Main fishing gears were Net (84.26%), Hook and line (10.32%) and Hook (3.05%). For fish selling, most of them (72.16%) sold fish in the village while sold to middleman 27.72% and sold in the market 0.12%.

The fishers could collect 17 fish species. Most fish species caught were Common silver barb (2,015.3 kg.), Spotted featherback (811.8 kg.), and Lipped barb (675.5 kg.). For fish utilization, fish processing was 4%, household consumption 9%, and fresh selling 87%. Total catch in this Point was 6,025.2 Kg. The total income of these 4 villages was 237,625.5 Baht. In this Point have 6 volunteers to continue collect the data.

Discussion on future work plan

After finished meeting with Point No.4, SEAFDEC and DOF had a meeting to conclude the activities of this trip, as well as discussion on the next step for Nam Oon Fisheries Co-management. In order to promote the fisheries co-management, the fisheries officers from DOF still need to promote and inform the people by using community wire broadcasting. They plan to make the brochure/CD and distribute to 16 communities around Nam Oon Dam and also village outsiders. Furthermore, SEAFDEC will print more logbook and give to each volunteer for data recording during 16 August till the end of this year.