In many small-scale fisheries, communities are the key to sustainable resource use, and the participation of communities in fisheries and coastal management is widely accepted in the policy of countries in Southeast Asia. Such communities may bring to management an understanding of the local environment, and of the problems and weaknesses within their own community fishery. Local fishers, many of whom have worked in the fisheries their entire lives, have knowledge of such aspects as spawning seasons and fishing grounds. Furthermore, communities and their fishers may well be willing to share information, participate in the identification of problems, help with implementing plans, and be involved with monitoring for illegal fishing. In addition, fishers can help researchers monitor fisheries resources by recording their own catches. The participation of coastal communities and local fishers in fisheries management is addressed below for each country in the Gulf of Thailand region.