"Professor Chen" chaired the National Fisheries Policy Committee meeting, approving a 10-year debt extension, protecting juvenile blue swimming crabs, accelerating black-chinned tilapia control, and leveraging research to upgrade the value of Thailand's marine resources.
On 3 August 2026, Mr. Yotsanan Wongsawat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, chaired the 2/2569 meeting of the National Fisheries Policy Committee. The meeting advanced a proactive strategy focused on applying research, technology, and innovation to increase the value of marine resources in both fisheries and aquaculture. He emphasized managing resources by balancing natural conservation with promoting commercial fishing to achieve effective outcomes.
Key agenda items included approving an extension of the loan repayment period for the Fisheries Liquidity Enhancement project from 7 to 10 years, which will reduce monthly installments and immediately improve fishermen households' financial liquidity. Concurrently, the meeting refined the criteria for phasing out fishing vessels in phase 3 to ensure fairness and rigor, aiming to accelerate compensation for operators impacted by past illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing regulations, enabling them to stabilize or transition careers appropriately.
Regarding marine resource management for long-term income, the meeting approved a draft declaration protecting "juvenile blue swimming crabs" by setting prohibited sizes and catch limits. This measure provides opportunities for young crabs to mature fully, benefiting fishermen by enabling them to catch larger, higher-value crabs, shifting from resource loss to sustainable income generation.
Additionally, a subcommittee and a team of academics were appointed to systematically study the impacts of using night encircling nets with mesh sizes smaller than 2.5 centimeters. Scientific data from this research will inform fair regulations balancing all parties' interests by October, reducing conflicts and maintaining resource sustainability.
Another agenda item was enhancing measures to disrupt the spread of "black-chinned tilapia." The meeting acknowledged progress on seven key initiatives across 21 provinces and 204 water bodies, including intensified removal efforts, releasing predator fish, and applying research for habitat restoration to protect shrimp and fish farms from damage.
Simultaneously, a new panel of 12 expert members was appointed, covering representatives from all fishing groups and environmental academics. This group will drive policy development that reflects practitioners' voices, elevate Thai fishery products, and improve the long-term livelihoods of fishing communities.