Seafood shortage looms in Thailand

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FISHING RULES
Seafood shortage looms
THE NATION



AS TOUGHER FISHING RULES COME INTO EFFECT, MAJOR MARKETS ARE RUNNING OUT OF STOCKS

BANGKOK: -- MANY SEAFOOD markets, including the country's largest, will be forced to halt business as they are running out of supplies with the tougher fishing regulations coming into effect from Wednesday.

The prices of seafood in many areas of the country continued to increase yesterday after fishing boats that failed to adhere to the new rules were forced to be docked.

The Talay Thai seafood market in Samut Sakhon, the country's largest, will have to be closed for business from tomorrow because no seafood supplies will arrive due to the halt in fishing activity, Thailand Fishery Association vice president Monkol Sukcharenkana said yesterday.

Many other seafood markets and fishing piers will also be closed, he said.

"I cannot say when the seafood markets will resume their business. It depends solely on the government decision. If the government continues its strict enforcement of fishery regulations, without allowing trawler owners more time to prepare, there will be no seafood in the market," Monkol said.

He clarified that the fisheries industry was not halting its activities to show its opposition to the governmental regulations, but the new regulations meant the fishing vessels could not go fishing.

Vendors at Talaad Thai, the country's largest wholesale fresh market in Pathum Thani, reported increases of seafood prices between Bt20 and Bt50 a kilogram for each of the products, as supplies were fast dwindling.

Seafood vendor Osara Srisa-nga said sea fish supplies had already run out, as fishing piers were being closed. She expected all the fishing piers in Mahachai area, which supplies seafood to most parts of the country, to be closed today, squeezing supplies to consumers and factories.

Seafood products in other provinces, such as Krabi and Phitsanulok, were sold at higher prices yesterday although many shops still had much supply in their stocks. Vendors said they expected the prices to go even higher, as supply was running out. However, seafood prices in Mahachai remained unchanged yesterday due to the large amounts of stock in the vendors' cold storage.

In the southern province of Surat Thani, almost 3,000 fishing boats were forced back to port due to a shortage of qualified skippers and mechanics under the tougher regulations, according to Darunee Jindapan, head of the province's Fishery Port Office.

She expected a shortage of seafood in the province in the next few days.

Meanwhile, the authorities yesterday insisted that the tougher fishing rules would remain in effect, as the goal was to solve the problem of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and avoid a European Union ban.

Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Peetipong Phuengbun na Ayutthaya urged trawler operators to register their boats and comply with the regulations.

"The government does not mean to hurt anyone. But we have to adjust the country's fishing system. We want to know about the number of legal and illegal fishing boats," Peetipong said.

He said the EU would send its officials to Thailand in August to collect information about the country's efforts to solve the IUU problem.

The EU was expected to evaluate Thailand's performance in October.

The agriculture minister did not expect much impact on local seafood consumption. He said most of the supply came from farms, and not the sea.

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said yesterday that the Navy has started providing one-stop service in the sea to register fishing boats under the new regulations.

"We have to follow the rules or things could get worse," he said, adding the problem of illegal fishing boats has continued for more than two decades.

In a related development, the Bank of Thailand has lowered its forecast of gross domestic product (GDP) growth for the year from 3.8 to 3.0 per cent last month.

The BOT's latest GDP projection in June did not take into account the possible fallout of a prolonged drought or an EU ban on Thai exports due to IUU fishing, said Don Nakornthab, the bank's director of Macroeconomic Policy Office.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Seafood-shortage-looms-30263650.html


-- The Nation 2015-07-03

[aussieinthailand]

Ahhh the fish and prawn farms are loving it, and those that fish the rivers are having a blast, unfortunately the fresh water fish stocks will be hit very hard.

Would be a good time to be in aquaculture just now.

Boat registration is not a big problem except if your trying to avoid paying taxes? also tracking devices shouldn't be a problem unless you like to go poaching in other counties waters? and registration of qualified captain's and records of crew in-port out-port numbers also no biggy unless your tying something on that you shouldn't? ie slave labor illegal persons working on boats, under age workers?

[Bluespunk]

"I cannot say when the seafood markets will resume their business. It depends solely on the government decision. If the government continues its strict enforcement of fishery regulations, without allowing trawler owners more time to prepare, there will be no seafood in the market," Monkol said."

No, it depends on the fishing owners obeying the regulations. They don't need more time, rather they need to stop trying to wriggle out of their responsibilities.

Edited July 3, 2015 by Bluespunk

[arfurcrown]

So within a two day period there is a shortage, read ''price increases.''

Profiteering commences on a grand scale aided by the vice president of the Thai fishing industry club who of course has no desire to gouge the seafood consumers of course aided and abetted by the fourth estate.

Below is the truth of the matter.

.The agriculture minister did not expect much impact on local seafood consumption. He said most of the supply came from farms, and not the sea.

[ezzra]

Well, it seems that I will have to forego my daily feasting of the sea bounty and go back to the

ol' chicken and pork food,,,, what a horrible way to live, but for the sake of boat registration

and other maritime issues, I'm willing to sacrifice....

[realenglish1]

At least the Government is trying to resolve the problem. It is clear that the industry is trying to pressure the government to relax the rules

I say know If I eat a little less Sea Bass that is ok with me. I am for a regulated boat industry Capitalizm will prevail

They will go back to fishing soon YOu will see

[englishoak]

Im loving this

[Friendly Stranger]

Which also means that the oceans are being over fished (word?). Just like what happened in the east coast of Canada, Eurpoean trawlers would come illegally and just rape the waters. This had changed the landscape so much that the fishing industry in that region was decimated. I think it may be somwhat coming back but now they have farmed fishing.

[Orac]

Ahhh the fish and prawn farms are loving it, and those that fish the rivers are having a blast, unfortunately the fresh water fish stocks will be hit very hard.

Would be a good time to be in aquaculture just now.

Boat registration is not a big problem except if your trying to avoid paying taxes? also tracking devices shouldn't be a problem unless you like to go poaching in other counties waters? and registration of qualified captain's and records of crew in-port out-port numbers also no biggy unless your tying something on that you shouldn't? ie slave labor illegal persons working on boats, under age workers?

Apparently one of the big problems is a lot of boats use full crews from Cambodia and Myanmar - the rules stipulate that captains and mechanics need to be Thai so it is not just a question of the qualifications.

[bheard]

Just back in Aus from LOS and bought some canned tuna in ALDI.

Turned out it comes from Thailand, won't buy that again!

[TimmyT]

this is what happens when West imposes it's destructive socialist regulations to the East. Europe keeps destroying (by tough over-regulation) it's own industry and is now trying to do the same with Thailand.

normal people are forced to pay more. as always.

[abitmiffed]

Im loving this

And so is the ocean.

Just burn the effin lot of them, the ocean is a better place without them.

[Orac]

this is what happens when West imposes it's destructive socialist regulations to the East. Europe keeps destroying (by tough over-regulation) it's own industry and is now trying to do the same with Thailand.

normal people are forced to pay more. as always.

Exactly - what is wrong with a little bit of slavery if it means my fish and chips are slightly cheaper.

[NickJ]

Normal being slave labor????

[Ulic]

A little relief for the oceans while the fishing boat owners cry, stamp there feet and moan

about having to be licensed, not being able to use slaves, and follow fishing regulations.

All good I say.

Edited July 3, 2015 by Ulic

[trogers]

Those who cannot live without seafood, "DO YOUR OWN FISHING!!!"

[Bluespunk]

this is what happens when West imposes it's destructive socialist regulations to the East. Europe keeps destroying (by tough over-regulation) it's own industry and is now trying to do the same with Thailand.

normal people are forced to pay more. as always.

Nonsense.

If Thailand wants to sell its products in the eu/USA then it must meet their standards and adhere to their rules.

Edited July 3, 2015 by Bluespunk

[TimmyT]

this is what happens when West imposes it's destructive socialist regulations to the East. Europe keeps destroying (by tough over-regulation) it's own industry and is now trying to do the same with Thailand.

normal people are forced to pay more. as always.

Exactly - what is wrong with a little bit of slavery if it means my fish and chips are slightly cheaper.

anyway it's none of the business of EU. but EU is forcing it's own businessmen by "extra-economic coercion" not to buy goods which they want to buy (and force there own citizen to pay more for seafood of course) in order to force an independent nation to obey EU socialist ideas. for EU regulators imposing there own point of view is more important then a welfare of there own citizen. what is more disgusting than a government acting against interests of there own electors?

Same as criminal charges against cheaper Ubertaxi in France...

Edited July 3, 2015 by TimmyT

[Bluespunk]

Beam me up Scottie, no sign of intelligent life here.

[Johnnie99]

Ah, the beginning of the end of slavery.

Welcome to a more modern world, Thailand.

[Oziex1]

this is what happens when West imposes it's destructive socialist regulations to the East. Europe keeps destroying (by tough over-regulation) it's own industry and is now trying to do the same with Thailand.

normal people are forced to pay more. as always.

By necessity seafood will become a luxury item despite the old saying, there are not plenty more fish in the sea. Fish stocks are breaking down everywhere.

All of my life in Australia seafood was always a treat as the price has always been higher than meat.

There is no conspiracy here just the outcome of overfishing and over consumption of a finite commodity.

[thhMan]

Thats what happens when the moms let the boys do whatever they want...

They grow up to be selfish little a-holes with attitudes

And thats not just Thailand !

[fareastguy]

Just shows how many of these trawlers/boats were operating illegally for whatever reason & how much illegal stock was bought for domestic use & export by the fisheries business !!!

None of the moored boats wished to become registered so they could continue to evade taxes & prosecution !!

Check the wind direction & toss a match !!

[TimmyT]

this is what happens when West imposes it's destructive socialist regulations to the East. Europe keeps destroying (by tough over-regulation) it's own industry and is now trying to do the same with Thailand.

normal people are forced to pay more. as always.

By necessity seafood will become a luxury item despite the old saying, there are not plenty more fish in the sea. Fish stocks are breaking down everywhere.

All of my life in Australia seafood was always a treat as the price has always been higher than meat.

There is no conspiracy here just the outcome of overfishing and over consumption of a finite commodity.

you can sell seafood for the price of gold in your homeland if you wish. because it's YOUR homeland. But Thailand is an independent nation and eventually will find a way to eat as much seafood as it wishes (and sell it to you for the price of gold, of course), notwithstanding of what you, foreigners, think of it. Like Japan still hunts on whales regardless of what American leftist college professors and NGOs are crying about.

this is what Smith called "an invisible hand of market".

[sammygood]

just imagine the titlte would be

HEALTHY seafood (without preservatives & other chemical laden stuff on it) shortage

[h90]

As there are huge imports of sea food it can't be so bad

[Halion]

"I cannot say when the seafood markets will resume their business. It depends solely on the government decision. If the government continues its strict enforcement of fishery regulations, without allowing trawler owners more time to prepare, there will be no seafood in the market," Monkol said."

No, it depends on the fishing owners obeying the regulations. They don't need more time, rather they need to stop trying to wriggle out of their responsibilities.

Correct , these buffoons have had enough time to comply with the current regulations. Thankfully no rocket science is required to comply. Accountability is not part of the DNA in this country. Let the boats sit in the harbors and rot away until these people come to their senses as they are also taking the food out of their own mouths.

A true test for this new regime to see if they can hold their resolve in what is a simply and practical set of requests rejected by a greedy bunch of clowns.

[casualbiker]

this is what happens when West imposes it's destructive socialist regulations to the East. Europe keeps destroying (by tough over-regulation) it's own industry and is now trying to do the same with Thailand.

normal people are forced to pay more. as always.

By necessity seafood will become a luxury item despite the old saying, there are not plenty more fish in the sea. Fish stocks are breaking down everywhere.

All of my life in Australia seafood was always a treat as the price has always been higher than meat.

There is no conspiracy here just the outcome of overfishing and over consumption of a finite commodity.

you can sell seafood for the price of gold in your homeland if you wish. because it's YOUR homeland. But Thailand is an independent nation and eventually will find a way to eat as much seafood as it wishes (and sell it to you for the price of gold, of course), notwithstanding of what you, foreigners, think of it. Like Japan still hunts on whales regardless of what American leftist college professors and NGOs are crying about.

this is what Smith called "an invisible hand of market".

The point is that Thailand want to sell to the lucrative European markets hence the request to NOT have slave labour on the boats etc. Thailand and it's fishing crews actually export more fish than it consumes. The regulations are for trawlers over 10 tons. Varying up to 60 ton. The regulations are Thai regulations that have NEVER been enforced properly. So stop bleating, unless you actually favour the use of slave labour!

[casualbiker]

There are about 60 thousand boats smaller than 10 ton. There will NOT be a serious shortage of sea food in Thailand's local markets, but the prices will inevitably go up!

[Anthony5]

Those who cannot live without seafood, "DO YOUR OWN FISHING!!!"

It looks like the US is preparing for that already.