THAILAND 



Reliable data on the catch oi shrimp are not available. It is 

 estimated that the total catch of shrimp in this country is at least 

 35 million pounds annually with production definitely on the increase. 



The Thai shrimp fishery at present is confined to shores and 

 estuaries of the Gulf of Siam and to lagoons bordering the Gulf. A 

 Japanese-type bull trawl reportedly has recently initiated offshore 

 operations in the Gulf and taken shrimp in addition to other fish and 

 shellfish. 



Shrimp fishing is scattered extensively along the coast, princi- 

 pally in the areas off the mouth of the Menam Chao Phya, and at Songkhla 

 within the Inland Sea (Thale Luang) and its outlet to the Gulf. 



The Chao Phya fishery is conducted during the dry season, 

 February to June or July, by about 100 small boats including sampans 

 and other craft powered by seroi-diesel or diesel engines. Each of the 

 boats uses one or txro locally made beam trawls. 



The Songkhla fishing is carried on throughout the year by cast 

 nets, beach seines and traps. 



The commercial catch of shrimp is made up of many species. At 

 least 50 species have been identified and probably many more remain to 

 be discovered. For shrimp paste, a very small shrimp ( Acetes spp.), 

 almost plariktonic in size, is used. The largest shrimp, a penaeid type, 

 runs U or 5 to the pound, heads on. Between these extremes are other 

 species of varying sizes. 



There is no shrimp canning in the country. Shrirr^ drying and 

 shrimp-paste manufacture are widespread. Although freezer space is 

 available, no shrimp are frozen and no commerce is carried on in this 

 product. Shrimp-flavored chips are manufactured in considerable quantity 

 for local use. 



Official data on exports of shrimp are not available. Fresh or 

 iced shipments in small quantities are made occasionally to Malaya from 

 areas bordering that coiintry. Exports of dried shrimp, estimated at 

 about 1 million pounds annually, are made to neighboring countries and 

 to Hong Kong. Small quantities of shrimp paste reportedly are shipped 

 to neighboring countries. 



On the basis of field information on the status of explorations 

 and experimental fishing, as well as of commercial operations, the 

 possibilities of expanding shrimp production and processing seem to be 

 fair. Ecologically, the Gulf of Siam is favorable to shrimping operations. 



6k 



