Status of small pelagic fish resources and fisheries in Thai waters

Abstract

The status of the pelagic fisheries and resources in Thai Waters are provided basing on the Fisheries Statistic of Thailand for 1980 - 1995 period. An attempt is also made to assess the current status found among major small pelagic stocks, namely Indo-Pacific mackerel, Indian mackerel, round scad, small tunas, anchovies and sardines. Other technical reports pertaining to pelagic fisheries and resources are also reviewed. In the Gulf of Thailand, most of small pelagic fish have been over-fished, except hardtail scad and king mackerel. In the Andaman Sea, the stock of Indo-Pacific mackerel, which located in the lower part of the coast, and banded trevally show indication of overfishing. To date the recovery of these stocks seems to have improved. For Indian mackerel, round scad, sardines, small tunas, hardtail scad, and bigeye scad, no drastic changes in their catches imply sustenance these resources.