EU group here soon to review moves to fight illegal fishing

[webfact]

IUU
EU group here soon to review moves to fight illegal fishing
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- 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Sansern quoted Prawit as telling the ambassador that Thailand was amending outdated laws and working more closely with international organisations as well as non-government organisations in the fishery sector, while also promising full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.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/EU-group-here-soon-to-review-moves-to-fight-illega-30259270.html


-- The Nation 2015-05-04

[NongKhaiKid]

If Thailand does so well and everybody is happy with them how come they are facing bans involving fishing and air safety and are under scrutiny over human trafficking ?

Will we hear confirmation of the commendation from the EU Ambassador ?

[JAG]

I have to say, given the blatant and consistent breaches of EU fishing regulations by several EU member countries, there is an element of "do as we say not as we do" involved in any EU inspection!

[lovetotravel]

I have to say, given the blatant and consistent breaches of EU fishing regulations by several EU member countries, there is an element of "do as we say not as we do" involved in any EU inspection!

Quite an interesting read here:

http://e360.yale.edu/feature/will_reform_finally_end_the_plunder_of_europes_fisheries/2623/

But it does seem major changes are being made?

http://ens-newswire.com/2013/12/10/eu-bans-fish-discards-under-new-common-fisheries-policy/

[Srikcir]

I have to say, given the blatant and consistent breaches of EU fishing regulations by several EU member countries, there is an element of "do as we say not as we do" involved in any EU inspection!

Italy appears to be the only EU country that consistently allows illegal fishing since 2011. Still, Italy should be red carded but Thailand has gone on much longer.

[Suffinator]

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.

Wasted trip ... nothing has been done other than make a new law and insist everything is now perfect.

[maderaroja]

I wish that someone would clearly define "illegal fishing". It seems so arbitrary and ambiguous.

[trainman34014]

Imagine the Bullshit and lies those guys are gonna be subjected to as they try to keep clear minds and try to observe reality for themselves !

[wowfactor10]

I have to admit it but thais in general are experts in presenting their plans!

How ever presenting plans and reality of life are 2 different things...

[GaryAdriaenssens]

In the meantime those "high level" officials will enjoy their EXPENSIVE working group trip on the back of the normal EU taxpayer.... bloody hypocrites everywhere!!

[MZurf]

In the meantime those "high level" officials will enjoy their EXPENSIVE working group trip on the back of the normal EU taxpayer.... bloody hypocrites everywhere!!

So, are you saying that the EU should not send representatives anywhere, at any time? How...strange

I for one think that this inspection trip is one of the more worthwhile things they could spend the taxpayers' money on. And I would love to be a fly on the wall during the upcoming meetings between the EU reps and the administration.

I think the term "squirming" is gonna take on a whole new meaning

Edited May 4, 2015 by MZurf