EU group here soon to review moves to fight illegal fishing
A WORKING group from the European Union will come to Thailand this month to review the government's progress in cracking down on illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
From May 10-22, the EU officials will verify measures undertaken by Thai authorities before high-level EU officials arrive on May 20 for a three-day visit.
Government spokesman Yongyuth Mayalarp said yesterday that Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Pitipong Puengboon na Ayutthaya would soon propose a national plan to combat fishery violations by Thai vessels to the Cabinet. The proposal would include suggestions made by the EU.
“This is to demonstrate Thailand’s clear stance in addressing this issue,” said Yongyuth, adding that an action plan and the progress undertaken in tackling illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing would be presented to the EU this month.
Thailand amended a provision in the Fishery Act relating to IUU and it will take effect in the next two months.
Boat monitoring in 22 provinces
Organic laws and ministerial regulations have been issued to address the existing regulation gap.
The port-in-port-out system and vessel monitoring system, which applies to fishing boats of more than 60 tonnes, have also been established.
Chumphon, Ranong, Songkhla and Phuket applied the control systems on a pilot basis last month.
The authorities expect to apply the systems in all 22 coastal provinces from Wednesday.
Yongyuth cited a previous report in which EU officials praised Thailand for its efforts to curb the problem.
On Saturday, deputy Government spokesman Sansern Kaeokamnerd said that Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan recently told the EU ambassador to Thailand about progress of the government’s solutions in regard to IUU fishing.
Sansern quoted Prawit as telling the ambassador that Thailand was amending outdated laws and working more closely with international organisations as well as non-government organisations in the fishery sector, while also promising full cooperation with two teams of EU officials visiting Thailand this month.
Sansern said the ambassador commended Thailand for its efforts and stressed that the country was on the right track.
