ส.อ.ท. เสนอรัฐเร่งฟื้นอุตสาหกรรมประมง สร้างความมั่นคงด้านวัตถุดิบ หนุนเศรษฐกิจอุตสาหกรรมเกษตรFTI Proposes Government to Accelerate Rehabilitation of the Fishing Industry to Ensure Raw Material Security and Support Agricultural Industrial Economy

On August 3, 2026, Mrs. Supawadee Choksakun-Nimit, Chairperson of the Southern Industrial Council, representing the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), attended a meeting of the National Fishery Policy Committee, chaired by Professor Dr. Yothachana Wongwasana, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation (MHESI), at Government House.

During the past decade, legal measures to regulate commercial fishing have significantly reduced the number of operating fishing vessels. Currently, only about 30% of these vessels are actively engaged in fishing, adversely affecting the supply chain and leading to a shortage of aquatic raw materials in the country.

FTI therefore proposed that the government review four critical issues to promote the revitalization of the fishing industry and enhance raw material security as follows:

1. Review of raw material management policies
The medium and large-scale seafood processing industry currently relies on imports for as much as 95% of its raw materials to compensate for the shortage. This presents a significant opportunity for the government and private sector to collaboratively review policies and establish promotional guidelines, particularly in the southern region, which has the potential from its dual coastlines to maximize the use of domestic raw material resources.

2. Elevate standards for systematic fishery supervision
Encourage the government to establish unified, comprehensive, and equitable fishery supervision standards. At the same time, measures to protect the “traditional small-scale fishing” groups (powered boats using familial labor not exceeding 3 individuals) should be maintained to preserve local livelihoods and wisdom while ensuring sustainable resource use.

3. Promote measures to reduce energy costs
Propose support mechanisms regarding fuel costs for fishing vessels to help maintain liquidity for commercial fishery operators still active in the system, ensuring the continuity of economic activities in the fishing sector.

4. Disseminate income to communities and local economies
A single commercial fishing trip generates approximately 600,000–900,000 Baht in circulating expenditures through the procurement of supplies, fuel, rice, dry food, and fishing gear, thereby redistributing income to local businesses. Furthermore, upon returning with aquatic resources, value is added and income is further disseminated to laborers, entrepreneurs, and residents in the area in several tiers.

FTI is ready to collaborate with the National Fishery Policy Committee in reviewing and establishing new policy foundations, focusing on proactive efforts that employ knowledge and research to support policy formulation, allowing fishermen and operators to robustly resume their businesses and collectively drive sustainable and stable growth for the Thai economy.