BANGKOK, Thailand – More than 40% of Thailand’s fishing fleet has suspended operations as a relentless surge in fuel prices makes fishing trips financially unviable, the National Fisheries Association of Thailand (NFAT) said.
NFAT President Trairerk Muesanthad warned that dockside seafood prices must be raised to reflect these overheads, or local operators will face collapse, threatening the country’s long-term food security.
The crisis is driven by a six-baht spike in fuel prices and a 119.35% jump in fuel overheads over the past month, alongside rising maintenance and equipment costs. While the government has proposed a B20 biodiesel subsidy to cut costs by five to six baht per liter, a lack of implementation clarity has left operators unwilling to risk going to sea.
Furthermore, local fishermen are unable to raise prices at the docks due to pressure from cheaper imports, such as squid from Myanmar and fish from India.
The NFAT also cited weak enforcement against smuggling and illicit mid-sea cargo transfers as major factors suppressing local prices. In response, the NFAT is convening an emergency meeting with fisheries associations across 22 coastal provinces to address the problems. (TNA)
