COVID-19 and Thai marine capture fishery in the Gulf of Thailand: A case of small-scale fishery versus industrial fishery

Abstract

By the end of 2020, Thailand had low number of COVID-19 cases in comparison to other countries; however, the socio-economic well-being of the country was also severely affected, including the fisheries sector. The objectives of this research were to identify the impacts of COVID-19 on fishers in small-scale fishery (SSF) and industrial fishery (IDF) and to distinguish the support received as well as additional government support requested by fishers in SSF and IDF. This research also aimed at discussing fishing technology extension to correspond with the additional government support. Data were collected from 171 Thai fishers (97 in SSF and 74 in IDF) through interviews in five coastal provinces along the Gulf of Thailand from July to November 2020. Most of fishers in SSF and IDF experienced similar impacts of COVID-19, i.e., decreased number of market channels, price of fish, and revenue from catch. They received support from the national government (i.e., financial assistance and fishing gear), the local government and private sector (i.e., financial donations and subsistence supplies), and the government banks (i.e., low-interest bank loan). However, 67.0 % of fishers in SSF and 74.3 % of fishers in IDF requested additional government support, i.e., 1) fishing vessel and gear technology, 2) workers onboard recruitment system, 3) regulations, policies, and measures, 4) marine environment and fishery resources, 5) investment and marketing system, 6) infrastructures, and 7) other support. The extension of fishing technology and other support were discussed to address the additional government support and sustain the marine capture fishery. It is crucial to continue supporting fishers in both SSF and IDF during the persistence of COVID-19 pandemic and consider the prevention or mitigation measures for other pandemics or disasters in the future.