GoTFish Aims To Restore Overexploited Tuna In Gulf of Thailand

Global non-profit Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP) recently kicked off a five-year initiative, the GoTFish Project, aimed at improving the sustainability and management of tuna and other fisheries in the Gulf of Thailand (GoT), “one of the world’s most productive but increasingly overexploited marine ecosystems,” read a SFP press release.

Strengthening regional transboundary fisheries governance and institutional capacity, aligning the market to support sustainable tuna and other fisheries, and conserving critical aquatic habitats through the identification of ecological corridors are some of the main components of the initiative. Enhancing stakeholder engagement, communication, and monitoring to ensure inclusive participation and effective knowledge sharing is also included. Pedro Ferreiro, an SFP spokesperson, said that the Gulf of Thailand is reaching a critical crossroads. With GoTFish, the organization is mobilizing the private sector to turn global seafood demand into a force for recovery. “This project shows that when markets support responsible practices, the improvements can be deep and long-lasting.” According to an FAO report, longtail tuna, kawakawa, and frigate tuna are the most commonly found tuna in the Gulf of Thailand. Yellowfin are also occasionally caught in smaller quantities in this area.