Fishing vessel registration deadline approaches
Fishing-boat owners have been warned to register their vessels by the end of this month or risk losing government assistance and facing arrest.
Fisheries Department chief Joompol Sanguansin said some 42,051 vessels were registered with the Marine Department. But an initial survey showed there were as many as 50,000 fishing vessels in Thailand. Some 10,000 vessels are not registered yet, he said, possibly because some owners had suspended activities. Some vessels may use tools that require no registration; some may be used only for transport; and some may employ illegal tools.
The government has opened 28 “port in, port out” (PIPO) checking facilities in 22 coastal provinces, as well as 10 mobile units.
Joompol said owners of registered vessels were entitled to government assistance in the future. The department could also use information to formulate moves to ensure sustainable fishing.
