Don Hoi Lord : Managing the Don Hoi Lord Razor Clam Fishery

How to make the various stakeholders involved in the fishery discuss possible management methods?

Start date of project

30/11/2010

Localisation

Don Hoi Lord sandbar, a classified Ramsar site in coastal central Thailand

Description

Managing the Don Hoi Lord Razor Clam Fishery

The Don Hoi Lord site 80 km to the west of Bangkok in Thailand is a site of recognized ecological interest (Ramsar site for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands). This sandbar, enriched by the accumulation of nutrient sediments carried by the Mae Klong river, is also a craft fishing ground for a species of razor clam (Solen regularis), a delicacy much appreciated by the Thai people. For several years activity in the fishery (which has operated for over 80 years with no form of regulation) has been intensifying and the resource seemed threatened. In 2003, research work started by implementing a companion modelling approach with the goal of stimulating exchanges between the various stakeholders (i.e. mainly fishermen and local authorities) and exploring collectively various management options for the fishery.

The approach was broken down into three phases:

  1.  Fieldwork to compile additional data on the biology of the species, of which little is known. At the same time, various stakeholders involved in the fishery (i.e. fishermen, traders and local authorities) were interviewed. This information was incorporated into a multi-agent model developed to integrate existing knowledge and propose a first representation of the Don Hoi Lord razor clam fishery.
  2.  This model was simplified into a role-playing game with the goal of interacting with local stakeholders and to test whether they were interested in manipulating this representation of the fishery operation. A gaming session was organized with 11 fishermen from the same village. Having played out a first scenario and discussed the validity of the model, the discussions turned to defining alternative scenarios based on introducing management rules (in particular a rotation of reserved areas). These scenarios were also played out. During the debriefing, the participants expressed their interest in the approach by requesting that a new role-playing session be organized involving more stakeholders (especially fishermen from other villages).
  3.  A second gaming session was organized a little later with more participants: 10 fishermen from two villages, one trader and representatives from local authorities and the fisheries department. Additional scenarios were identified and played out. The local authorities subsequently invited the researchers to present the approach to local political decision-makers. The provincial governor stated that he was very interested in the approach.

The approach facilitated sharing of knowledge and viewpoints between scientists and fishery stakeholders. It is currently continuing with a new campaign of data collection in the field (i.e. razor clam biology, fishing practices, market availability and seasonal price fluctuations). This will lead to a new version of the model incorporating this information that will serve to support a new series of participative simulation workshops.

Partners

Chulalongkorn University

Teams

K. Worrapimphong, N. Gajaseni (Université Chulalongkorn)
F. Bousquet, C. Le Page (CIRAD)