Brief Background
 
           Fisheries management in Thailand hasstarted since B.E. 2444 (1901) with the purpose to collect taxes and tariffs and to ensure the steady contribution of fish supply for its national consumption as well as export. On 22 September B.E.2464 (1921) , King Rama VI declared a Royal Announcement which entitled the Ministry of Land and Agriculture for the responsibility of aquaculture, preservation of aquatic animals, recommemdation on closed fishing gears harmful to aquatic animals.  
     
           Then in the reign of King Rama VII, Department of Aquatic Animal Conservation was established on 21 September B. E. 2469 (1926) and was renamed as Deparment of Fisheries since 1 January B.E.2497(1954).Its central administration is comprised of office of Recretary, Division of Aquaculture, Survey and Research Division, and Conservation Division whereas provincial fishery offices and district fishery offices are its provincial adminstration. However, on 7 Februry B.E.2518 (1975) King Rama IX enacted a Royal Decree to expand the central administration of Department of Fisheries with the following new structure:  
     
 
1. Office of Secretary
2. Fiscal Division
3. Conservation and Extension Division Division
4. Freshwater Fishery Division 8
 5. Brackishwater Fishery Division
6. Marine Fishery Division
7. Food Technological Development Division
8. Exploratory Fishing Division
 
           At present, the central administration of Department of Fisheries has been expanded again to 28 Divisions/Institutes.