When the Fish Disappeared from Songkla Lake, Small-scale Fishermen have Tactic for Survival in Time of Scarcity ?

Abstract

      This research aimed to investigate the daily living and tactics for survival in times of scarcity of small-scale fishermen. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with key informants who were small-scale fishermen and their families; non-participatory observations of small-scale fishermen’s fishing activities of the fishing communities around the non-hunting area of Songkhla Lake, Khu Khut Community, Sathing Phra District. The data were classified according to the issues, decoded and interpreted and presented by means of description. The results of the research revealed the following:

Small-scale fishermen livied with the mode of production and consumption patterns, depending on market forces. The cultural life has changied from labor from household assistance and the use of modern technology. As a result, fishermen have switched to more modern fishing equipment.

Overfishing has become a problem making fishery resources scarce. The daily living conditions of the poor have forced them to fight for survival and use a wide variety of activities. They need to have sideline occupations such as doing odd jobs in the community, becoming fish vendors, souvenir vendors, taking tourists on sight-seeing tours around the lake, and raising animals for sale.

Therefore, reenforcement of being public-minded to conserve the fishery resources, and sotting fishing seasons are needed to help small-scale fishermen's survival