The Review of Bycatch in Thailand In Relation to IOTC Species

This paper summarizes bycatch landing in Thailand from both IOTC area and the coastal water under Thailand jurisdiction where neritic tunas have been caught. The bycatch from IOTC area were mainly from foreign fishing vessels landing in Phuket ports of the last 15 years, during 2001-2016. The catch trend and bycatch composition during this period have been figured. For the coastal fisheries in the area under Thailand jurisdiction, the bycatch were from purse seines which this gear mainly target the coastal pelagic fish including neritic tunas. Sharks and rays bycatch from this fishery was explored and explained. So, the information included in this paper will give an overview of the bycatch situation in Thailand relating to the IOTC species, particularly on sharks and rays. The relevant information, existing actions or inactions, as well as obstacles of accommodation of the sharks’ issues are also included. Lastly, the paper concludes with the information on the development of the NPOA-sharks that crucially reflects the engagement of Thailand in the international agenda on shark conservation.