Thai govt reports significant progress in fight against illegal fishing

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Govt. reports significant progress in fight against illegal fishing

BANGKOK, 18 January 2016 (NNT) - The government has finished drafting the laws and regulations to combat illegal fishing and human trafficking in the fishing sector. The installation of the vessel monitoring system for over 60 ton gross vessels has reached 90% completion.

The government has been continuously inspecting fishing vessels and factories in terms of legal compliance. Five factories have been closed and culprits of illegal fishing have been prosecuted. Government officers who have been involved in illegal fishing will receive a maximum penalty. The government has also worked with foreign countries under their agreements and assisted fishing workers who were victims of human trafficking.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has stressed that the government’s goal for tackling illegal fishing is not only to increase Thailand’s credibility, but also to create sustainability in the utilization of marine resources.


-- NNT 2016-01-18

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Thailand’s Progress in Combating IUU Fishing

BANGKOK: -- On 15 January 2016, the Command Center for Combatting Illegal Fishing (CCCIF) held a press conference to provide latest updates on the government’s efforts in combating IUU fishing. Several concrete results and progress have been highlighted in the following 5 areas, including restructuring of the legal framework, development of key systems, law enforcement, enhancing international cooperation, and assistance to victims of illegal fishing.

1. Restructuring of Legal framework

The Royal Ordinance on Fisheries B.E. 2558 (2015) has entered into force since 14 November 2015. The law has two main objectives; namely, elimination of illegal fishing and promotion of sustainable fishing industry. These goals can be achieved through five mechanisms including licensing system, vessel monitoring system, vessel inspection, traceability system and effective law enforcement. The law is being implemented by 28 port-in-port-out (PiPo) Centers and officers from the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Labour, Marine Department and Mobile Team units. To promote understanding about these major legal changes, a “fishermen’s” legal handbook has been published.

2. Development of key systems

Two main systems have been set up. First, Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) system has been established at the CCCIF and the Department of Fisheries. This system will soon be integrated with all the local centers. Moreover, vessel monitoring systems (VMS) have also been installed in 2,076 out of 2,216 fishing vessels of 60 gross tonnage or more (93.7 percent). The installation of this particular system has led to more effective monitoring and detecting of vessels that engage in illegal fishing. Second, traceability system has also been launched which enable relevant officers and consumers to detect whether fishery products originate from illegal fishing. The components of this mechanism include: a) E-License system which will be operational by 30 March 2016, Real-time and online vessel registration system that has been operational since December 2015, c) training course for observers on board fishing vessels (the first batch has finished their training on 4 December 2015, and will be ready for deployment in January 2016), and d) capacity building programme such as training courses and operational manuals for officers involved.

3. Law enforcement

Law enforcement in fishing vessels and marine products processing plants have been implemented. With regard to fishing vessels, special task force units comprising several agencies have been set up to inspect vessels and enforce the law. To date, 474 fishing vessels of 60 gross tonnage or more operating in Thai waters (215 percent of the E.U.’s recommendations) and 73 of those operating outside Thai waters have been inspected. In total, 90 were found to violate the laws and are being prosecuted. In addition, a temporary ban on transshipment at sea has been imposed for a period of 180 days starting from 25 December 2015. The ban is designed to eliminate the possibility of transshipment of IUU fish and illegal labour by Thai-flagged vessels operating in high seas and territorial waters of foreign states. In our effort to legalise foreign workforce, employers are urged to register their foreign workers in order to get work permits by February 2016. At the moment, over 35,000 have done so. Moreover, on 12 January 2016 the Cabinet has approved in principle two additional measures aiming to boost worker’s rights. These are (1) a draft Ministerial Regulation on Prohibition on hiring of labor ages less than 18 years old B.E….. and (2) a Bill on Human Trafficking Case Procedure B.E. ….. .

4. International cooperation

Thailand realizes that the combat against illegal fishing requires close collaboration with international partners both governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations. First, MoUs on fisheries and labour have been signed or in process of negotiation with 13 countries ranging from our immediate neighbours to pacific island nations as well as a European member state. For instance, Thailand has signed bilateral MoUs on labour importation with Cambodia and Vietnam, and another one on Agriculture and Fisheries with Fiji. Second, international organizations such as Green Peace, EJF (Environmental Justice Foundation) and ILO (International Labor Organization) have also recognised Thailand’s effort in tackling illegal fishing and have thus extended valuable and continued support in enhancing vessel monitoring system as well as in promoting labour standards.

5. Assistance for affected fishermen and fisheries workers

The Royal Thai Government is determined to help victims of human trafficking in the industry. For instance, 1,398 of Thai fishing seamen have returned to Thailand, among whom 54 are victims of trafficking. Zoning distinguishing commercial and artisanal fishing vessels will also be introduced, in consultation with all those involved. This will assist small scale local fishermen to stay in the business. Furthermore, 70 percent of 873 fishing vessels that have submitted their requests have been granted financial assistance, and the remaining ones are being expedited. All of these measures will ensure that legal, legitimate and sustainable fisheries will not be affected by our fight against the illegal fishing.

In conclusion, the Royal Thai Government is committed to work closely with all the relevant stakeholders, including the private sector and civil societies in order to combat illegal fishing and to foster a sense of collective responsibility on this issue on all parts. The result of the EU evaluation is beyond the Government’s control. Nevertheless, whatever the outcome of the EU’s decision shall be, Thailand reiterates its unwavering efforts to fight illegal fishing in order to protect and preserve the marine resources and promote sustainable fishing for our future generations

-- NNT 2016-01-18

[Reigntax]

In other words, we plan and talk about doing many things, have done nothing yet and we believe this is enough to stop us being blacklisted.

It has worked so far, so we have therefore been successful.

[onetime]

Give 'em the card ! They deserve it in sooo many ways.

[englishoak]

Yup more BS, red card em and be done with it.

[NongKhaiKid]

A claim of significant progress but would anyone expect anything else ?

Now they can relax as they've told the world how much they're on top of things and that should be enough, job done !

[cloudhopper]

Why this plan has no chance -
3. Law enforcement

[SABloke]

I believe them

[craigt3365]

Why this plan has no chance -

3. Law enforcement

This is an impressive list of accomplishments in a relatively short amount of time. Too bad it too pressure from the international community to make this happen. And you're right. It means nothing unless properly enforced.

[robblok]

I am not sure if progress has been made.. the fishermen at least protested enough showing something has been done. But how can any of us comment on this as nobody has any knowledge of the fishing sector here. Stuff like traffic we can see.. this happens out of sight so its hard to know if progress has been made or not.

[Nigeone]

Vessel monitoring for vessels over 60 tons mmmm I would have at a guess the majority of illegal fishing is done on ships well below that weight! Those wooden wrecks that you see are nowhere near 60 tons..

[Srikcir]

So the Hub of Sustainability must be taught by foreign nations on how to create sustainability in the utilization of marine resources.

Rather humiliating for the Hub of Thainess.

[AlQaholic]

From what I have heard, it is actually properly enforced, and all the stuff they say they have done, has actually been done. This single item is the one thing that deserves applause for the current govt. actions. Impressive work in such a short time.

[SOTIRIOS]

If you say so.....

[Baerboxer]

A claim of significant progress but would anyone expect anything else ?

Now they can relax as they've told the world how much they're on top of things and that should be enough, job done !

Successive Thai governments, public bodies and official organizations must find it baffling as to why foreigners don't just simply accept everything they say, like the people at home.

It must amaze them that foreigners expect actions, audits, and real facts. Don't they know what "Thainess" is?

[retarius]

Keep up the good work (if the report is true).

[Eric Loh]

Stop media intimidation and law suits and let the media report whether there are any significant progress. Government reports just don't cut it nowadays.

[sawadee1947]

I was missing this report already....Only progresses by this govt. Congrats