Fishing boats block Pattani river to demand suspension of fishing ban

[webfact]

Fishing boats block Pattani river to demand suspension of fishing ban

PATTANI: -- About 150 small fishing boats blocked the Pattani river to pressure the government to ease restriction on the use of illegal fishing gears so that they can set sail for fishing.

The protesting fishermen submitted a two-point demand to the provincial governor through their representative, Mr Abdulloh Kasor.

The demand calls for suspension of the ban against the use of illegal fishing gears and setting up a panel of experts to conduct a study about the impacts from their use of side trawl nets.

The protestors promised to accept the result of the study.

Pattani deputy governor Veeranan Pengchan met with ten representatives of the protesters to discuss their problem. The protesters were asked to lift their blockade to allow normal river traffic.

However, the protesting fishermen rejected the deputy governor’s request and insisted that the government should ease the fishing ban and stop arresting any of them.

The fishing ban against illegal fishing vessels and vessels which employ illegal fishing gears is part of the government’s efforts to enforce the IUU fishing as demanded by the European Union.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/fishing-boats-block-pattani-river-to-demand-suspension-of-fishing-ban

-- Thai PBS 2015-10-06

[Skywalker69]

TIT, sigh.

[Squeegee]

Good grief. These criminals have been so spoiled by Thai corruption that they demand to continue breaking the law.

Send them to jail where they belong.

The real world is an expensive place where life is hard for honest folk.

[thaipod]

The protesters promised to accept the results of the study..They already know the results and their methods of fishing used is illegal.

These fisherman just don't want to change their ways or invest in legal equipment . Same old story think about today not tomorrow.

[Oziex1]

Let them do as they please, take all the fish of any size.

When Europe the US and other nations ban the import of Thai seafood see how they accept that.

[speedtripler]

Sink them with torpedoes, see how they like that... If only we had those damn submarines...

[Jonmarleesco]

FarcTiTal.

[waldroj]

About 150 small fishing boats blocked the Pattani river to pressure the government to ease restriction on the use of illegal fishing gears so that they can set sail for fishing!

The message from the Thai fishing industry remains the same.

EU hold up the red card!

[seajae]

what a joke these people are, they admit using illegal methods and whinge because they have to stop them. Time for this govt to grow some balls and simply impound and destroy all the boats they are using to block the river. Throw these scumbags into jail and issue massive fines, remove their licences to fish if they actually have them as well, Thailand doesnt need these types doing this sort of sh*t. Their methods have decimated the fish stocks already and they know it, they simply want to continue to strip as many fish as they can and screw the laws.

Edited October 6, 2015 by seajae

[sagittarius6999]

The simplest solution is for the government to confiscate all illegal fishing gear now and then nothing to discuss

[sagittarius6999]

The simplest solution is for the government to confiscate all illegal fishing gear now and then nothing to discuss

[Bluespunk]

"However, the protesting fishermen rejected the deputy governors request and insisted that the government should ease the fishing ban and stop arresting any of them."

The governor should tell them to <deleted> off and modify their boats so they are legal or, as I said, just to <deleted> off.

Either works for me.

[ratcatcher]

July 2 2015

“I agree with the new fisheries order because it will be beneficial to the fishermen and the country in the long run," said National Fisheries Association of Thailand president, Phubet Chanthanimi. "But we want the government to extend the timeframe for registration."

http://www.undercurrentnews.com/2015/07/02/chinese-aquaculture-company-plans-investment-in-eastern-russia-2-46/

Fishermen in coastal Pattani, however, would not stage a blockade to protest against the government’s measures, he added. (Phubet Chanthanimi)

That is what we call lying through your teeth.

[Doc46]

So what is the nutless Government going to do ? Give In to the fisherman and get Banned by the EU. Are they all fruitcakes running this Country?

[Thian]

So what is the nutless Government going to do ? Give In to the fisherman and get Banned by the EU. Are they all fruitcakes running this Country?

Fisherman blocking the river, farmers using the drinkingwater for Bangkok, embassy's selling illegal visa, hackers getting the governmental website down and threatening to do it again......What you're gonna do mr General? Drink tea with them?

[Kasset Tak]

I don't understand, either the fishermen are stupid or they just don't care!

The laws are there to protect the fishing industry because if EU and US would blacklist Thai seafood and fish then some 30-50% of their market is gone. That means that they would flood the internal market and the price would DROP like a stone. So in the end the fishermen would probably face up to 60-80% lower income if they DON'T follow the rules!

[Traveling Sailor]

Bring in the torpedo boats and clear these rabble rousers out. It is time that Thais understand that it is NOT ok to fish with illigal equipment, etc.

[Srikcir]

Why isn't the government cracking down on these protests?

Penal Code, Section 117 Whoever, instigates or causes a strike, lockout, or concerted cessation of trade or business with any person for the purpose of bringing about any change in the Laws of the Country, coercing the Government or intimidating the public, shall be punished with imprisonment not exceeding seven years or fine not exceeding fourteen thousand Baht, or both.

The government has acted swiftly against other sectors of Thai society for the same violation. Do these boat owners have some hidden leverage against the current government?

[duckmandon]

So what is the nutless Government going to do ? Give In to the fisherman and get Banned by the EU. Are they all fruitcakes running this Country?

Agree. The only thing the Government will do as they always do, is HAVE A MEETING!!!!!! It will all go away soon, if not, we will HAVE ANOTHER MEETING!!!!