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[Lite Beer]

IUU
Navy to work on eradicating illegal Thai fishing practices
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Move in response to EU letter saying govt is not doing enought, as threat of ban hangs overhead

FOR THE next two months, the Royal Thai Navy will work more closely with owners of fishing trawlers to help eradicate illegal fishing practices to avert an export ban from the European Union, Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan said yesterday.

Prawit, who is also defence minister, called a top-level meeting at Government House yesterday to follow up on moves taken to address the serious problem of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, after the EU wrote to the government and said it was not doing enough to stamp out illegal practices.

About four months ago, the EU issued a yellow card to the government for failing to tackle the IUU issue, raising prospects of a trade ban if the problem was not solved within six months.

Prawit said the EU suggested that Thailand take more action in terms of administration and legislation to ensure that all fishing vessels and their equipment are registered and have a Vessel Monitoring System (VMS).

Of the total 7,000 fishing boats, some 3,000 are still not registered with authorities. Earlier, fishermen and vessel owners staged protests over the tightening of regulations.

In addition to closer cooperation between the Navy and fishing vessel owners, Prawit said the Council of State and the Fisheries Department would also work more closely to speed up efforts to amend related laws so they comply with the EU's requirements. The government will also seek help from outside legal consultants to help speed up the process.

"We're working hard to respond to the EU's remarks on administration, legislation as well as public perception of this issue," he said, adding that fishing boats which do not meet the new requirements will not be allowed to go out to sea.

New review scheduled for October

According to Prawit, EU officials will return to observe the situation in Thailand around October, so further action taken by Thai authorities will affect the EU's decision on the potential trade ban.

If the EU is not satisfied with measures taken by Thai authorities, the grouping could downgrade the country's status by issuing a red card banning Thai seafood exports.

On the other hand, the current yellow card could be lifted if the EU is satisfied with state remedies taken to solve the IUU problem.

Deputy Agriculture Minister Amnuay Patise said the government would prepare a series of reports on measures taken to ease the IUU problem for the EU's consideration ahead of its review in October.

He said it would probably take a year or two to solve all the problems in the fishing industry. "But I'm quite confident that the prospects are good, but cannot say for sure whether our status will be upgraded."

Thailand's annual exports to the EU are estimated to be worth between 575 million to 730 million euros (Bt21.3 to Bt27 billion).

Overall fish exports were worth around Bt102 billion last year, according to the Thai Frozen Food Association. Currently, Thailand is the world's third-largest seafood exporter.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Navy-to-work-on-eradicating-illegal-Thai-fishing-p-30264702.html

-- The Nation 2015-07-18

[noitom]

"To work on." A Thai eumphemism for "develop a 10 point program." Or some other such nonsense procrastination.

[arthurboy]

So what exactly has the RTN been doing since this issue surfaced?

You would think that this would be a great PR opportunity for the junta. You know the kind of thing, the media showing RTN patrol vessels at sea actually stopping trawlers and checking them, escorting illegally operated boats back to port, arresting the captains and owners, blah, blah...

But no, just a lot of vacuous nonsense without factual evidence that the RTN is actual doing what a navy should be doing. Be at sea.

Makes you wonder if - despite the budget - the RTN actually has any sea going patrol vessels etc. Note the words sea going...

[clockman]

Always remember the military is never about protecting the country! It is about politics and business.

[quandow]

What are they gonna do, follow the fishing boats in their submarines?

[Peabody]

Did this letter arrive shortly after thousands of illegal vessels were told "go ahead and fish dor a few more months. Just promise to correct everything"?

[Jimjim1968]

Do you know what would really help in the fight against illegal fishing?

A few submarines.

[Baerboxer]

What are they gonna do, follow the fishing boats in their submarines?

They ain't getting the subs now.

But they've been given an "opportunity" to reform the fishing industry. Nudge nudge, wink wink.

[Bluespunk]

"Navy to work on eradicating illegal Thai fishing practices"

Nice to see they have things to occupy their time when they're not busy prosecuting journalists.

Edited July 18, 2015 by Bluespunk

[JAG]

So what exactly has the RTN been doing since this issue surfaced?

You would think that this would be a great PR opportunity for the junta. You know the kind of thing, the media showing RTN patrol vessels at sea actually stopping trawlers and checking them, escorting illegally operated boats back to port, arresting the captains and owners, blah, blah...

But no, just a lot of vacuous nonsense without factual evidence that the RTN is actual doing what a navy should be doing. Be at sea.

Makes you wonder if - despite the budget - the RTN actually has any sea going patrol vessels etc. Note the words sea going...

Of course they go to sea, haven't you seen the film of the LGB (large gray boat) firing a missile they show every day on TV around 6 o'clock?

It's just that right now they are tied up awaiting umm, some minor maintenance. But Don't worry, the matelots are being kept busy with "other tasks".

[JAG]

So what exactly has the RTN been doing since this issue surfaced?

You would think that this would be a great PR opportunity for the junta. You know the kind of thing, the media showing RTN patrol vessels at sea actually stopping trawlers and checking them, escorting illegally operated boats back to port, arresting the captains and owners, blah, blah...

But no, just a lot of vacuous nonsense without factual evidence that the RTN is actual doing what a navy should be doing. Be at sea.

Makes you wonder if - despite the budget - the RTN actually has any sea going patrol vessels etc. Note the words sea going...

Of course they go to sea, haven't you seen the film of the LGB (large gray boat) firing a missile they show every day on TV around 6 o'clock?

It's just that right now they are tied up awaiting umm, some minor maintenance. But Don't worry, the matelots are being kept busy with "other tasks".

[DM07]

Yeah...but first let them fish for another couple of months, illegal or not!

These guys produce enough hot air to have a weekly balloon- festival!

[Skywalker69]

What are they gonna do, follow the fishing boats in their submarines?

What subarines?

[Basil B]

I can see it now all the boats will be back in port as soon as the RTN inspect the first boat.

But I do not think Europe will say OK carry on for two more months...

[deckape]

This may sound awful but I hope they fail and receive the red card. Saving face and changing public perception means little when one considers the slaves aboard those ugly boats.

[toybits]

Always in the Future Tense. "To Work On Eradicating bla bla bla". You would have thought they had started working on this as soon as the report broke out. But but but...

[Usual Suspect]

Many posts here say the same-same thing ..why did the RTN not start patrolling months back when this issue was reported to the media..?

But to do this would have taken orders from the good old Gen..did he not look around him..what other asian countries are doing on a daily basis?..Most asian countries have patrol boats out in their own waters...As ever there are 4 warships sat doing bugger-all just off the pier at Hua Hin (I think their official role is 'protecting' the king's residence..?).

[davehowden]

"adding that fishing boats which do not meet the new requirements will not be allowed to go out to sea."

And if the bigger unregistered boats (Mother Ships) never come into port in the first place, but simply transfer their catch into smaller registered boats how will you ever catch them?

Edited July 18, 2015 by davehowden