Assessing the Resilience of Small-scale Fisheries (SSF) at Ban Toh Balew Community, Koh Lanta, Thailand Through Socio-Ecological Perspectives and Community Adaptation

Abstract

Small-scale fisheries (SSF) are essential for livelihoods, food security, and cultural identity in coastal communities, yet they are increasingly threatened by climate change, declining marine resources, and socio-economic changes. This study examines the resilience and adaptive capacity of the Urak Lawoi indigenous fishing community in the Ban Toh Balew community using the Social-Ecological Systems (SES) framework. Data were collected through focus group discussions and field observations with five purposively selected key informants, and qualitative data were analyzed using thematic content analysis based on SES resilience dimensions. The findings reveal that the community is affected by declining fishery resources, coral bleaching, seagrass degradation, coastal erosion, tourism-related pollution, and restricted access to fishing grounds.

Despite these pressures, the community demonstrates strong adaptive capacity through indigenous knowledge, social cohesion, livelihood diversification, and gender-based roles. Women contribute significantly through seafood processing, household financial management, and alternative livelihoods, while men provide traditional fishing knowledge and marine resource management. Community resilience is further strengthened through cooperation with external agencies and the preservation of cultural identity. However, challenges such as resource depletion, limited market access, and reduced participation in formal governance continue to constrain resilience. The study recommends strengthening co-management, supporting marine habitat restoration, promoting gender-inclusive adaptation strategies, and enhancing community-based livelihood development to improve resilience in small-scale fisheries.