The Urak Lawoi Fishing Community consists of local fishermen on Koh Lipe. They use a traditional fishing method involving “Sai” a technique passed down from their ancestors. The “sai” is a fishing tool that does not damage coral reefs and has minimal environmental impact. Fishermen on Koh Lipe dive to locate suitable positions for setting the traps, even risking deep waters to ensure a worthwhile catch. Each retrieval of a sai typically requires 4-5 workers or more, and the catch is shared among them to be eaten or sold.

Normally, the fishermen on Koh Lipe sell their catch to resorts, hotels, and tourists on the island. However, due to the current COVID-19 crisis, there are no tourists, leading to unemployment and lack of buyers. Even if the fish are sold, prices are low, and traders purchase only limited amounts, insufficient to cover the daily needs of the families involved.

The local fish shop has purchased a supply of red snapper from the Koh Lipe fishermen to provide fresh fish for its customers. Red snapper is a white-fleshed fish known for its delicious taste and firm texture, suitable for various dishes such as fish steaks, steamed with lime, steamed with soy sauce, or used in Japanese cuisine like soy sauce braised dishes.