Myanmar Fishing Vessel Seized with Six Crew Members for Encroaching Thai Waters

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Matichon

 

Authorities in Thailand have detained a Myanmar fishing vessel and its six crew members for illegally entering Thai waters, seizing 40 tons of salted krill as part of the operation.

 

The 3rd Naval Area Command of the National Maritime Security Coordination Center (NMSC Region 3) reported that on December 13, at 21.00, a coordinated operation was led by Vice Admiral Suwat Donsakoon, Commander of the 3rd Naval Area Command and Director of NMSC Region 3. The operation involved multiple agencies, including the Ranong Maritime Security Coordination Center (NMSC Ranong), the Ranong Provincial Water Police, and the Department of Fisheries’ Ranong checkpoint, among others.

 

The mission, prompted by intelligence from the 2nd Coastal Guard Regiment, targeted suspected illegal transfers of fishery products near Ranong’s port. Officials intercepted the Myanmar vessel, Pyi Phyo Hlaing 18, a 50-ton fishing vessel, as it was unloading its cargo at Wai Thong Port in Pak Nam Subdistrict, Muang District, Ranong Province.

 

Upon inspection, the vessel was found to be carrying 40,000 kilograms of salted krill, packed in 2,000 bags weighing 20 kilograms each. The crew, all Myanmar nationals, failed to produce legal documentation for importing fishery products via the Fisheries Single Window (FSW) system, as required by Thai law.

 

Authorities charged the vessel and crew with violating the 2015 Fisheries Act, amended in 2017. Under Section 92 of the Act, importing fishery products into the kingdom without official authorisation is prohibited. Violators face penalties under Section 158, including fines amounting to five times the value of the seized products.

 

The crew was also charged with illegally importing marine products into Thailand without permits. They were handed over to investigators at Pak Nam Police Station in Ranong Province for further legal proceedings.

 

The seizure underscores Thailand’s commitment to combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities in its waters and protecting its maritime resources.

 

-- 2024-12-15

 

 

[watchcat]

2 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Authorities in Thailand have detained a Myanmar fishing vessel and its six crew members for illegally entering Thai waters,

 

Revenge?