A PARADE by about 500 people took place through Phuket City today. And just for a change, it was not the People's Alliance for Democracy or Vegetarian Festival warriors.

Amid flags of every color in the rainbow, people from 13 countries marched under Federation of Fisherfolk 2008 Assembly banners from the public park at Saphan Hin to Chalermprakiat Park, near the Tourism Authority of Thailand office.

The march came at the conclusion of a three-day international conference, the first of its kind held on Phuket.

Meetings also included fishing groups from many other parts of Thailand, especially southern provinces.

A large proportion of the marchers today were women and young people, reinforcing one of the key seminar messages: that women and a cooperative community approach represent part of the answer to sustainable fish stocks.

Representatives came from Sri Lanka, India, France, Spain, Kenya, Indonesia, Philippines, Germany, Martinique, South Africa, Guataloupe and Pakistan.

If there was some kind of political storm in Bangkok, the delegates appeared not to notice. Perhaps fisherfolk find storms easier to recognise and avoid than other travellers.

The international guests visited local fishing communities around Phuket to compare with communities in their own countries.

Among the local communities visited were Baan Yamee, Koh Yao, Baan Khu Khu, Baan Yamu and Baan Nai Rai.

Other delegates went to Baan Nam Khem, the fishing village that was slammed by the tsunami in Phang Nga and has since recovered.

Over the weekend, delegates meet in more formal international sessions in Bangkok.

We suspect that somewhere, there are probably schools of fish that will also appreciate having the weekend off.