Department of Fisheries (Thailand)

Thailand's Department of Fisheries (Abrv: DOF; Thai: กรมประมง, RTGS: krom pramong), part of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, is responsible for the promotion of the Thai fishing industry while ensuring the sustainability of aquaculture and capture fisheries. It conducts, compiles, and disseminates research and technologies to further those aims. Its mission statement makes no mention of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU), the responsibility of other agencies such as the Ministry of Labour.^[2]

Department of Fisheries

กรมประมง krom pramong
Seal of Varuna, god of water riding on a Naga in a pavilion, supported by Anon, the great fish
Agency overview
Formed	1933 (1933)
Preceding agencies	Ministry of Lands and Agriculture (1921) Department of Aquatic Animal Conservation (1926)
Headquarters	50 Phahonyothin Road, Lat Yao, Chatuchak District, Bangkok
Annual budget	4,094 million baht (FY2019)
Agency executive	Bancha Sukkaew, Director-General^[1]
Parent agency	Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives
Website	www.fisheries.go.th/en

History

The government began to take an interest in Thai fisheries management in 1901, primarily as a source of taxes and tariffs.

A royal proclamation on 22 September 1921 gave the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture responsibility for aquaculture, preservation of aquatic animals, and regulating fishing equipment.

The Department of Aquatic Animal Conservation was established on 21 September 1926. It was renamed the Department of Fisheries (DOF) in 1933, then combined with the Department of Agriculture as the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. Two years later, it was again made a separate department. In 1954 it assumed its current name, Krom Pramong, 'Department of Fisheries'.^[3]

Mission

The department is both a promotional and regulatory agency, with emphasis on the former.^{[2][4]: Institutional framework}

Organization

DOF's central administration is composed of 24 units. At the local level, the department has offices in all 76 provinces as well as 527 DOF district offices.^[5]

Budget

The DOF's budget was 4,094 million baht in FY2019, down from 4,457 million baht in FY2018.^[6]

Legal framework

Many laws deal with aspects of Thai fisheries. These are the most salient according to the FAO:^{[4]: Legal framework}

• Royal Ordinance on Fisheries B.E. 2560 (2017)^[7]
• Royal Ordinance on Fisheries B.E.2558 (2015)^[8]
• The Wildlife Reservation and Protection Act, B.E. 2535 (1992)^[9]
• The Enhancement and Conservation of National Environmental Quality Act, B.E. 2535 (1992)^[10]
• Fisheries Act B.E. 2490 (1947) Revised in 1953 and 1985.^[11]
• The Act Governing the Right to Fish in Thai Waters, B.E. 2482 (1939)
• The Thai Vessel Act, B.E. 2481 (1938)^[12]

Activity

Pramong Nomklao Fair (งานประมงน้อมเกล้า, "offered to royal fisheries fair") has been held annually since 1986 in various places or leading shopping malls around Bangkok and its vicinity, to promote the ornamental fish farming industry in the country and honour the Prince Mahidol Adulyadej.^[13]

See also

• Fisheries management
• Ocean fisheries
• Thailand fisheries
• World fish production

References

1. Summary of the results of the Cabinet meeting of Mr. Settha Thavisin (Prime Minister) on December 26, 2566.
2. "Mission & Vision". Department of Fisheries. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
3. "Background of Department of Fisheries". Department of Fisheries. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
4. "Fishery and Aquaculture Country Profiles: The Kingdom of Thailand". Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). United Nations. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
5. "Department of Fisheries Structure". Department of Fisheries. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
6. "Thailand's Budget in Brief Fiscal Year 2019". Bureau of the Budget. p. 85. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
7. "Royal Ordinance on Fisheries B.E. 2560 (2017)". Department of Fisheries. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
8. "Royal Ordinance on Fisheries B.E.2558 (2015)" (PDF). FAO. United Nations. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
9. "The Wildlife Reservation and Protection Act, B.E. 2535 (1992)" (PDF). Thai Laws. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
10. "The Enhancement and Conservation of National Environment Quality Act, B.E.2535 (NEQA 1992)". Thailand Law Forum. 29 January 2010. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
11. "Fisheries Act B.E. 2490 (1947)" (PDF). Thai Laws. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
12. "The Thai Vessel Act, B.E. 2481 (1938)" (PDF). Thai Laws. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
13. "การจัดงานประมงน้อมเกล้าครั้งแรก" [The first Pramong Nomklao Fair] (PDF). Department of Fisheries (in Thai). Retrieved 15 January 2021.