For centuries, Thailand’s coastal communities have built their livelihoods on fishing, with the national economy closely tied to the rhythm of the tides. But in the wake of global demands for sustainable practices, the way of life for small-scale fishers is under threat.

In 2015, the European Union issued Thailand a ‘yellow card’ as a stark warning about the country’s failure to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. To avoid an outright ban on seafood exports to the EU, Thailand introduced some of the world’s strictest fishing laws. These measures have since transformed the industry, but not without controversy.

Though the EU lifted the yellow card in 2019, the reforms put in place remain a double-edged sword for local communities. Despite helping Thailand secure its place in international markets, the reforms have also imposed heavy financial and operational burdens on small-scale fishers.

Read more: www.euronews.com/2024/11/25/thailands-small-fishers-fight-to-stay-afloat-under-strict-iuu-rules