BANGKOK, Thailand – The Cabinet has approved a project to decommission commercial fishing vessels as part of the country’s efforts to manage marine resources sustainably. The plan, proposed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, includes a budget allocation of 1.62 billion baht from the 2025 Central Budget’s emergency and contingency fund. Compensation will be provided to owners of 923 vessels participating in the program.
The project has been established to regulate the commercial fishing fleet by reducing the number of active vessels and balancing marine resource use. It also offers alternative livelihood opportunities for affected fishers and allows some vessels to be repurposed for non-fishing industries. The move focuses on boats with valid fishing licenses, classified as “White Group Vessels,” which have been approved by the Subcommittee on Fishing Vessel Decommissioning and the National Fisheries Policy Committee.
Of the 923 vessels, 873 will be dismantled and scrapped, with a budget of 1.52 billion baht allocated for their removal. Three boats will be repurposed for use in cafés, libraries, or lodging facilities, while 47 will be converted for marine activities, including tugboat and passenger transport services. The project is scheduled for completion within a year.
The approval follows discussions led by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who recognized concerns raised by fishery stakeholders. The decision builds on previous government efforts to reduce illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing by decommissioning vessels operating without valid commercial licenses. (NNT)
