An Evaluation on Economic Loss from Luring Purse Seine Fishery in the Gulf of Thailand

Abstract

Size of 14 commercial pelagic species, income and economic loss were studied from luring purse seine fisheries in the Gulf of Thailand during June 2004 – May 2005 by collecting the data at Samut Prakan fishing port. The average lengths of 12 commercial pelagic species were smaller than the
size at first maturity. Income from total commercial pelagic species was 6,533,716.50 baht/boat/year and was 5,301,155.70 baht/boat/year for commercial pelagic species which size smaller than the size at first maturity. An evaluation on economic losses of pelagic species were estimated by comparing the economic value of species which size smaller than the size at first maturity and the size at first maturity. By using an average price at fishing port for evaluation, the economic loss was 184,861.40 baht/boat/ trip or 5,545,842.15 baht/boat/year. If an average price derived from two important markets under Fish Market Division was used for evaluation, the economic loss was 357,262.75 baht/boat/trip or 10,717,882.49 baht/boat/year. The economic loss from luring purse seine fishery in the Gulf of Thailand was 2,700 million baht based on the number of fishing boat registered by luring purse seine gear in 1992.