Phuket commercial fishing operators warned to obtain new 2-year 'E-license' or else face stiff penalties

Suthicha Sirirat

A Fisheries official shows what the new temporary 'E license' document and QR Code look like.

PHUKET: The Phuket Fisheries Department has warned commercial fishing operators who fail to comply with new licensing regulations of harsh penalties, including fines of up to B30 million.

A meeting yesterday (April 1) at the Phuket's Sapan Pla fishing port was told that the new fishing license requirements, which stipulate that all operators of commercial fishing vessels equal to or larger than 10 gross tonnes, must possess a new E-license from April 2, 2016, or else face stiff penalties.

Presided over by Mr Pisanu Na-anan of the Phuket Fisheries and Mr Yosathon Chaleewan of Phuket Muang District's Fisheries office, the meeting was attended by representatives of the province's main commercial fishing operators.

The new two-year licenses, which will all expire on March 31, 2018, are part of the government's latest efforts to regulate the fishing industry so as to to ensure sustainability of the Kingdom's dwindling marine resources.

Previous paper commercial fishing licenses, which were due to expire by the end of the Thai fiscal year, on September 30, 2016, are no longer valid and must be replaced by the new two-year E-license, explained Mr Pisanu.

Full story: http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-commercial-fishing-operators-warned-to-obtain-new-2-year-e-license-or-else-face-stiff-penalties-56883.php

-- Phuket News 2016-04-02

Why Why do they have to warn the fishing operators? Get real and lock them up if they don't have the E license,,,,this is just an Pussy approach ,,,Get serious,,,