Thailand’s coastal communities once thrived on abundant marine life, but decades of overfishing and destructive practices have left the ocean floor bare.

Unsustainable trawling by commercial vessels has devastated coral reefs and sea grass beds, driving local fish populations to collapse. Around 15 years ago, fishermen in Nakhon Si Thammarat began to see the effects firsthand. Their daily catch dropped from 80–100 kilograms to barely 2 kilograms, threatening their livelihoods and the community’s way of life.

At the same time, low-income fishers were trapped in unfair supply chains, forced to sell their catch to middlemen at below-market prices. Women in these households, often excluded from fishing itself, struggled with limited income and few opportunities for stable work. Without intervention, both the ocean’s biodiversity and the fishermen’s future were at risk.

Born out of the Federation of Thai Fisherfolk Association, Fisherfolk was created to restore the sea and rebuild lives through sustainable, community-based fishing.

The women-led social enterprise operates in Prachuap, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Satun, Pattalung, and Songkhla, forming a network of fair trade branches across Southern Thailand.

Fisherfolk buys catches directly from fishermen who follow sustainable practices, paying 5–20% higher than market rates. Women from fishing households are trained to process the seafood into frozen products, creating jobs and adding value locally.

Twenty percent of Fisherfolk’s profits are dedicated to marine conservation, funding the construction of bamboo artificial reefs that restore habitats and attract marine life. After more than a decade of consistent effort, the results are visible—fish diversity has returned, and fishermen now catch 40–50 kilograms a day.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit and frozen seafood sales dropped, the Fisherfolk branch in Nakhon Si Thammarat adapted by introducing pre-cooked frozen meals for home delivery. This not only kept the business running but also created three additional part-time jobs for women in food production.

AirAsia Foundation’s grant enabled Fisherfolk Nakhon to expand production capacity and strengthen its marketing efforts to promote sustainable fishing.

With the grant, Fisherfolk Nakhon will:

• Enhance its production facilities to increase output and efficiency
• Expand marketing initiatives to attract more customers and raise awareness about sustainable fishery practices

This expansion ensures that Fisherfolk can continue generating income, supporting local families, and investing in long-term marine conservation.