A fishing vessel suspected of illegal fishing activities. (Photo: FAO)

EU delegation assesses Thailand’s efforts to combat IUU fishing

THAILAND
Wednesday, January 20, 2016, 03:00 (GMT + 9)

This week, a European Union (EU) delegation will analyze the improvements made by Thailand to combat illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing, to decide whether or not the European bloc will impose a ban on the entry of Thai fishery products to the EU market. 

A technical EU team is already there, but the EU mission to verify the progress is set for Thursday and Friday.

Meanwhile, the government stated that the final decision of the EU will not be known this week.

After Thailand received a “yellow card” by the EU, Thai authorities highlight that the country has made serious efforts to tackle illegal fishing activities.

Maj Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd, Thai government spokesperson, explained that there are five solutions being implemented, including drafting legislation to regulate fishing, reviewing the surveillance of fishing activities, speeding up the prosecution of human trafficking in the industry, expanding cooperation with other countries and helping fishing operators and workers to change their professions and the allocation of fishing areas, Thai Visa News reported.

Some local civil society groups see important improvements in the regulation and protection of workers' rights, but warn that there are still legal issues that concern migrant workers, who make a big number of the workforce in the fishery industry.

If the EU decides that Thailand efforts have not been enough, it is likely to impose sanctions on seafood exports to its 28 member states.

Thai seafood exports to the EU account for 10 per cent of total exports, and are estimated at almost USD 7 billion a year.

Related articles:

- Govt intensifies measures to pass EU fisheries inspection
- Thai Union ensures to be combating labour force

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