Thailand affirms progress against IUU to EU representatives
The Thai government has reported its progress in dealing with illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, to representatives of the European Union (EU), emphasizing the strict enforcement of laws.
At the meeting between Deputy Prime Minister Gen Chatchai Sarikalya and EU Fishing Control Agency deputy chairpersons Gabriel Mato and Cara Garcia (Photo: prd.go.th)
Bangkok (NNT/VNA) – The Thai government has reported its progress indealing with illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, torepresentatives of the European Union (EU), emphasizing the strictenforcement of laws.
DeputyPrime Minister Gen Chatchai Sarikalya revealed after meeting with EUFishing Control Agency deputy chairpersons Gabriel Mato and Cara Garciathat he assured both entities that the Thai government has been workingdiligently in all respects to ensure the sustainability of Thaifisheries and to improve the management of foreign labourers. He toldboth officials, who played a key role in the EU’s efforts to remedy IUU fishing,that the Thai government has been strictly enforcing laws to do with fishingand labour, with 88 percent of arrests to do with illegal boating and therest to do with fishing.
Ontop of regulations, between October 1, 2017 and May 23, 2018, thegovernment issued an order for all fishing vessels to adhere to labourand employment practices, threatening them with suspension of operationin cases of failure. Latest surveys have found widespread compliancewith the order.
Thetwo EU representatives paid particular attention to Thailand’sparticipation in various declarations and treaties to do witheradicating forced labour and improving the quality of life for workersin the fisheries sector. The Thai government is currently working to be ableto join the International Labour Organization’s 188th affirmation onfishing, by having its tenets announced in the Royal Gazette bySeptember of this year.
GenChatchai noted to the EU that Thailand’s work has not been based solelyon whether or not it can have its yellow flag lifted but on making itsfisheries sector sustainable, and sees the EU as an important ally incombatting IUU fishing.
Both EU representatives commended Thailand for its efforts and achievements. -NNT/VNA
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At the meeting between Deputy Prime Minister Gen Chatchai Sarikalya and EU Fishing Control Agency deputy chairpersons Gabriel Mato and Cara Garcia (Photo: prd.go.th) 
