ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS OF RESPONSIBLE FISHERIES IN THE GULF OF THAILAND

This review deals with environmental stress on aquatic resources in the Gulf of Thailand, with emphasis on related constraints to achieving sustainable fisheries development. The current situation of environmental impacts on fisheries resources is described in detail. Excessive human activities on the coastal strip such as destruction of mangroves and wetlands, aquaculture, port development, thermal discharge, human settlement and industrial development in coastal zones, have given rise to adverse changes in estuarine habitats and environmental impacts. Ofihore activities that afect the fisheries sector are fisheries activity itself; degradation of seagrass beds and coral reef, as well as disposal of industrial wastes into the sea. Overfuhing has been identzjied as a major reason for the constraints to fishery production. However, growing pollution of coastal and marine waters also adversely affects the marine ecosystem and its productivity. Nutrient enrichment of water from land-based pollution has led to eutrophication, which has been associated with an increased incidence of plankton bloom. Harmfir1 algal blooms, which have caused economic losses in terms offish kills, have been recorded since 1983. Although environmental awareness and environmentally friendly policie. exist, there is an apparent lack of will to implement and enforce such policies Mangement of fisheries resources is discussed and scient@c advice is alst provided. However, existing fishery rules and regulations dealing wit1 conservation measures have not been fully enforced. Fishers have started tt become involved in formulating management measures in order to ensun efectiveness of these conservation measures and sustainable utilization o resources. 1