Ministry clarifies Prawit’s remarks about Europe’s fishing stance

He had told reporters on Monday that the commission had decided to maintain the yellow card for Thailand for another six months as the measures taken by the government were not enough to end the problems. 

However, the Foreign Ministry issued a statement hours later to clarify Prawit’s words, saying the latest meetings with the EC from May 17 to 19 did not produce any clear decision on a red or yellow card.

“Thus Thailand still has time to work on this matter before such a decision will be made, and Thailand reaffirms its commitment to continue working to tackle the problem,” according to the ministry statement. 

Last year, the EC gave Thailand a yellow card for not taking sufficient measures in the international fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU). The commission gave Thailand six months to tackle the problems. The government drew up plans and consulted with the EC several times over recent months. 

The six-month deadline had already been postponed once in January. 

The Thai government attaches great importance to combating IUU fishing and has been taking serious and strenuous measures on this matter, the Foreign Ministry said. 

Previous talks between Thailand and the European Union were based on cordial friendship that respects each other’s sovereignty, it said. The EU has never told Thailand what measures to implement, but closely exchanged knowledge and experience to deal with the problem. 

Prawit did not admit he jumped the gun, saying that the government had received a good signal from the EU as it took the task seriously. 

“We have to wait for when the EU makes a decision [on the status] and I will meet the European delegation in a month or so from now to discuss this matter,” he said. 

Thailand is one of the world’s biggest seafood exporters, so the EC’s ranking of Thai moves in regard to IUU fishing is very significant for the economy. 

Chanintr Chalisarapong, president of the Thai Tuna Industry Association, said the fishery industry had a good chance to be freed from the IUU burden as the government and private enterprises had moved in the right direction to develop a fishery supply chain that meets global labour and fishing standards.

The Thai Tuna Industry Association, Friends of the Sea, Earth Island Institute, and International Pole and Line Foundation yesterday called for a sustainable tuna industry via strict laws and concern for sustainable fishery resources.

Adolfo Valsecchi, chairman of the World Tuna Conference, said Thailand had moved in the right direction to try to counter illegal fishing and promote sustainable growth for the industry.