The Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center/Training Department (SEAFDEC/TD), in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries and the Prachuap Khiri Khan Provincial Fisheries Office, convened a high-level strategic meeting on 21 April 2026 to initiate a sustainability plan for the Bang Saphan fishery community. This initiative, conducted under the Japanese Trust Fund (JTF VII) and departmental programs, brought together Fisheries Provincial of Prachuap Khiri Khan, senior officials, and SEAFDEC/TD experts to discuss the integration of participatory management with technological innovation. The primary goal is to strengthen the long-term social and economic resilience of local artisanal fisheries through collaborative strategic planning.
SEAFDEC/TD introduced a pilot initiative during the session designed to balance environmental sustainability with economic viability through clean energy and operational efficiency. Key components of the project include the research and development of high-performance propellers to reduce fuel consumption and enhance maritime safety, alongside the introduction of a “Solar Bank” concept to promote solar energy in post-harvest handling. By adopting these “Blue Economy” solutions, the Bang Saphan community is establishing a national model for modernizing traditional fisheries into energy-efficient systems, ensuring the ecological integrity of coastal resources and a secure future for local fishers.
