
Thailand's waterways and seas both face ecological crises that could devastate ecosystems, food security, and millions of livelihoods if left unchecked. Two protests this week reflect the urgency of these issues. Small-scale fishermen and environmentalists have gathered at the Senate to oppose an amendment to the Fisheries Act allowing trawlers to sweep clean the sea. Meanwhile, fishermen and aquaculture farmers from 19 provinces have rallied at Government House, demanding the government address the spread of the invasive blackchin tilapia, or pla mor khang dam in Thai, a fish wreaking havoc in river ecosystems across the country.
Both of their demands are valid.
Strict rules to curb illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing and the use of slave labour by Thai trawlers have saved the country from a European Union seafood ban and helped restore Thai seas. The trawler industry, however, wants to end this to exploit the seas more freely. The proposed amendment would loosen sustainable fishing rules and allow vessels to use massive fine-meshed nets at night. These nets would scoop up baby fish before they could mature, causing a huge economic loss as such juvenile fish are sold cheaply as "trash fish" for the animal feed industry. This destructive practice risks another seafood ban while destroying marine ecosystems. The Federation of Small-scale Fishermen wants this clause removed from the bill to avert this disaster.
At the same time, fishermen, aquafarmers, and environmentalists have joined forces to fight in court over what they claimed was the country's biggest environmental crime. In 2010, Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF) brought blackchin tilapia to Thailand for research at a facility in Samut Songkhram province. The agro-industry giant claimed all these alien fish died, but by 2011, farmers near the research centre had discovered the invasive species in their waterways. The tilapia were killing off native fish species and severely damaging prawn farms. CPF claimed it had handed over the last 50 dead specimens to fisheries authorities when the project was shut down, but officials said they never received them.
No matter the truth, the ecology and local fishermen have suffered. Due to their rapid breeding and adaptability, blackchin tilapia have now overrun the country's waterways, aggressively feeding on native fish and pushing many species towards extinction.
The tilapia invasion shows how unregulated biodiversity can wreak havoc on the environment and livelihoods. The proposed fisheries law puts short-term profits over long-term ecological health. Both issues highlight a troubling reality: the government care about economic revenue and big business.
The stakes couldn't be higher because rivers and seas are not just capital. They are vital for supporting local communities and the national economy. The blackchin tilapia destroys freshwater ecosystems, threatening biodiversity and food security. Meanwhile, the proposed fisheries law risks depleting fish stocks, harming small-scale fishers, and deepening inequality.
What needs to be done? To tackle the tilapia invasion, the government should launch large-scale eradication efforts, survey the actual ecological impact, find out the real culprits, and have them penalised and responsible for compensation. For the fisheries law, the Senate must reject the amendments and create laws that protect marine biodiversity and promote sustainable fishing.
Thailand's rivers and seas are at a tipping point. Government must decide whether to back big businesses or protect the country's ecological and economic future.