Public Commentary

Ever thought about where your seafood really comes from? When you see "Made in Thailand" on a package, it's easy to assume everything happened within Thailand's borders. But a new perspective on Thailand's seafood industry reveals a much bigger, more complex global story that's often overlooked, especially when it comes to labor rights!

This article traces the historical trajectory of Thailand’s fishmeal industry, examining how technological change, economic policy, and shifting market demands—both domestic and international—enabled its expansion. It also reflects on the transformation of trash fish from an unwanted byproduct of trawling to a crucial engine of national economic growth. By doing so, the article examines the broader tension between economic optimization and ecological sustainability that has long defined Thailand’s fisheries development.

25 April 2024
Address Royal Thai Government
Signed by 27 international signed by 24 international researchers who are experts in fisheries and fisheries labour from 24 universities and policy institutes globally

(English)

25 เมษายน พ.ศ. 2567
จดหมายเปิดผนึกนี้ลงนามโดยนักวิจัยนานาชาติ 27 คนซึ่งเป็นผู้เชี่ยวชาญด้านการประมงและแรงงานประมงจากมหาวิทยาลัยและสถาบันนโยบาย 24 แห่งทั่วโลก

The podcast aims to discuss with researchers, civil society actors, journalists, and union leaders who have dedicated themselves to understanding the complexities of fisheries governance and labour conditions.

Thai PBS, a Thai news channel, has addressed the experts concern on the roll back. They also publish the policy watch series on the policy roll back and fiseries reform.

The 21st of November is World Fisheries Day, and this year is for the second consecutive year, aquaculture has surpassed capture fisheries by volume. What does this mean for us as consumers? Moreover, what should we be concerned about regarding aquatic food systems sustainability?

16 December 2023
Chula Radio, Thailand
Alin Kadfak, Vong-on Phuaphansawat

with Dr. Vong-on Phuaphansawat on the progress of Thailand fisheries reform at Chula radio (11.05-11.30)
(Thai)

01 November 2023
Daily Maverick, South Africa
Don Pinnock and Melissa Marschke

Newspaper article with journalist Don Pinnock, focusing on the experiences of foreign crew docking at Cape Town port, working on mainly Asian distant water fleets.
(English)

1 August 2022
Asia & the Pacific Policy Society, Australia
Alin Kadfak and Marie Widengård

Protecting migrant fishworkers’ rights at sea
Policy Forum
(English)

18 November 2018
Center for International Maritime Security
Alin Kadfak and Anna Antonova

Sea Control 294 – EU Fisheries Governance with Dr. Alin Kadfak and Dr. Anna Antonova
(English)

23 September 2021
Society for Cultural Anthropology
Alin Kadfak, Than Pale and Htet Wai Yan

Looking for Clues: COVID-19 and “Facebook Fieldwork” with Cross-Border Burmese Migrants
(English)

12 January 2021
Swedish International Agricultural Network Initiative
Alin Kadfak

Can charcoal business be sustainable? Examples, challenges and opportunities in Africa
(English)