Final Report on Sustainable Development of Small-Scale Fisherfolk On the Andaman Sea Coast of Thailand 1995 - 1999 of Yadfon Association In Co-operation with CESVI Supported by the European Commission Prepared by Asst. Prof. Nipon Jaipleum Ms. Praneet Thongpan Rajamangala Institute of Technology, NakhonSithammarat Campus Mrs. Atchara Jaipleum Tungsong Witthaya School Yadfon Association 16/4 Rakchan Rd., Muang District, Trang 92000 Tel : (075) 214737 Fax : (075) 219327 E-mail : [email protected] CONTENT Preface ii Abstract iii Chapter I Overview 1-4 Chapter II Projects / Activities 5-12 Chapter III Impact of Operation 13-14 Chapter IV Problems and Recommendations 15-16 Annex 1. Summary of “A Preliminary Study on Sustainable Management of Meretrix lusoria in Five villages, Trang. 2. Paradise Regained. 3. A Raindrop Cleans the Wetlands. 4. Environmental and Natural Resource Management of Non-governmental Organization : A Case Study of Yadfon Association, Changwat Trang. 5. An Analysis of Co Management Arrangements : A Case of Fishing Community in Southern Thailand. 6. The Implementation of Community Mangrove Forest Extension and Development In Trang Province. i PREFACE The project report on Sustainable Development of Small-Scale Fisherfolk on the Andaman Sea Coast of Thailand is the results of the monitoring and evaluation of the academic team iniciated by Yadfon Association to the local academic institutions. It aims to achieve good understanding and allow for learning from each others among the local development institutions, Yadfon staff and the fisherfolk. Observation, interview and second hand information review were used for information gathering. The 3rd year project delayed for 4 months of the actual plan due to the longer time consumption for preparation of some project activities as well as the delay caused by unexpected evidences. Although the project implementation delayed, the result showed satisfactory progress such as the improvement of community mangrove forests, increasing in capacity in controlling illegal fishing techniques, growing of saving group and community enterprises as well as the completion of researches for coastal resource management. This can determine that, if Yadfon Association and communities can keep the development moving, the degraded resources will recover and benefit to local fisherfolk along the coast. July 1999. ii ABSTRACT Sustainable Development of Small-scale Fisherfolk on the Andaman Sea Coast of Thailand is a project run by Yadfon Association, a non-governmental organization in Trang, Thailand in cooperation with CESVI, an Italian non-governmental organization and funded by the European Commission. The operation areas cover 3 districts in Trang: Kantang, Yantakoa and Palian. The project aims to strengthen fisherfolk’s capacity to affirm their own right over coastal resources and support sustainable management of coastal resources. Four main action plans include (a) coastal resource management activities e.g. community mangrove forests, oyster conservations and fights against illegal fishing; (b) strengthening community organization activities e.g. women’s group; (c) income-generating activities e.g. saving groups, fish-cage culture; and (d) information dissemination and network expansion e.g. Trang Fisherfolk Club, and Federation of Fisherfolk Club in the South of Thailand. Various types of activities are generated to achieve the goals e.g. small group seminars, workshops, study visits and research work. Some project activities were delayed because of both internal and external limitations. However, much progress can be clearly observed, for example, the establishment of the community mangrove forest, savings group and community small businesses and the strong cooperation among fishing communities. Many communities show the evidence of self-reliance and the capacity in sustainable management of the coastal resources. The awareness of the fisherfolk in conservation work is clearly observed. iii CHAPTER I OVERVIEW Yadfon Association, a Thai non-governmental organization based in Trang Province, the South of Thailand has worked with local fisherfolk to support their development efforts and sustainable coastal resource management. Yadfon realizes that the degradation of coastal resources has impact not only on the environment and ecology, but also on the fisherfloks’ lives and livelihood. Yadfon believes that if the natural resources have been managed in proper ways, they will be recovered. The more fertile resources such as mangrove forests and aqua animals will lead to betterlife of the local fisherfolks due to their higher income. More abundant coastal resources and sufficient income will raise their awareness in the importance of sustainable coastal resource management. This is considerably important as the initiation in cooperation among local people and other communities and organizations will be initiated. Natural resource conservation / sustainable management Realization in Rehabilitated and the importance of more fertiled resources resources better quality more food / of life sufficient income Fig. 1 Concept in sustainable coastal resource management Yadfon also believes that the most efficient way in managing coastal resources is that local communities exercise their own rights over the local natural resources. The success of their work arises from the cooperation among various parties, for instance, concerned authorities, non-governmental organizations, academics, businessmen and other interested parties including mass medias. The work of Yadfon is emphasized on the establishment of local organizations and strengthening the existing organizations. In order to achieve the ultimate goal, the learning processes, the capability of community leaders in handling the problems in their own communities property as well as networking and consolidations in various levels are essential. 1 Supports of learning Strong community process to communities organization Coastal resource sustainable Self-reliant in management / related activities local community Public Mass sectors Local medias communities Networks in various levels Private Academic sectors NGOs (Knowledge companions) Fig.2 Concept in cooperation among various parties in sustainable development support Thus, the emphasis of Yadfon’s work is placed on generating the learning processes to local communities to empower and strengthen local communities. It also urge the communities to expand the cooperation and gain supports through networks. It also hopes that the knowledge and experience gained will be applied to solve any problems and disputes properly. Attention is also paid on raising the awareness of local communities in exercise their rights over local resources according to the constitution as it can assure the equitable sharing of natural assets. Yadfon notice that local coastal communities had confronted several environmental, economics and social problems. People have more sufferings from insufficient income; more and more people leave their hometown and find jobs in different towns. Having realized that there is an urgent need to help solving these problems, in 1995 Yadfon initiated the “Sustainable Development Small-scale Fisherflok on the Andaman Sea coast of Thailand.” This project is the cooperation with CESVI, an Italian non-governmental organization with the financial support from the European Commission. The project lasts for 3 years and operates in 3 districts of Trang; Kantang, Yantakao and Palian. It aims to empower local coastal communities so that they will become more self-reliant. The more secure life of the fisherfolks will ensure the sustainable use of natural resources. 2 Objectives 1. To generate learning processes to coastal communities The knowledge about natural conservation and sustainable management will lead to the cooperation within communities and among neighboring communities in protecting the local resources and the realization of their rights on the local resources. 2. To support income-generating activities Yadfon supports any activities that will generate income from resource specific to each village, based on self-reliance and sustainable management of coastal resources including mangrove forests, fish, shrimp, crab and shellfish. 3. To support the establishment of local organizations The knowledge and experience gained from working natural resource conservation activities will be applied in solving any problems in their own communities in the appropriate ways. This will lead to stronger people’s organizations 4. To support the expansion of networking and consolidation within the communities and among other communities To depend solely on their own is not the efficient way in managing and solving the community problems, it is significantly important to gain the support from public and other organizations. The establishment of cooperation and networks in various levels will strengthen the capability of the communities. The projects To achieve the goals, Yadfon has undertaken its work under four main projects:- 1. Projects on Coastal Resource Conservation 2. Projects on Strengthening Community Organization and its network 3. Projects on Income generations 4. Projects on Information Distribution and International Networking Under these four projects, various activities have been designed and operated. The details and aspects of activities depend on specific resources in each community and their capabilities, for example, sea grass conservation, oyster conservation and fish-cage culture.