Int'l community briefed on Thailand's progress on solution to IUU fishing issues

BRUSSELS, April 26 (TNA) - A team of Thai government senior officials has briefed the international community on the country's progress on the solution to issues related to the illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Thai Ambassador to Belgium Manasvi Srisodapol, who leads the Thai official delegation, told TNA on Thursday that his team has briefed Thailand's progress on the solution to the IUU fishing-related issues at a public forum, entitled “Thailand’s Path to Sustainable Fisheries”, organized as part of the Seafood Expo Global 2018, held in Brussels during April 24-26. Manasvi, who is also Head of Thailand's Mission to the European Union (EU), said that the international audience have acknowledged the Thai government's serious attempts and progress on the solution to the IUU fishing-related issues, which should result in more confidence in the Thai fishery sector among European consumers and importers of Thai fishery products. Department of Fisheries Director-General Adisorn Promthep told TNA this was the second time that the international community was briefed on Thailand's progress on the solution to the IUU fishing-related issues, including human trafficking cases, in a comprehensive a The senior official revealed that representatives of importing countries of fishery products expressed their interest in the Thai government's progressive moves against the IUU fishing-related issues, while Charoen Pokphand Foods (UK) Limited Managing Director Bob Miller even expressed his appreciation to a clear improvement of the IUU fishing problems due to the Thai government's concrete measures, including more efficient control and law enforcement processes imposed on trawlers through practical fishing certification and advanced monitoring systems, which have enhanced the confidence in Thai fishery products among importing economies. "The international private sector now has more confidence that Thailand can be a leading country in Southeast Asia in the solution to the IUU fishing-related issues", the senior Thai official quoted the CP Foods (UK) Limited managing director as declaring. Meanwhile, Thai Tuna Industry Association (TTIA) President Chanintr Chalisarapong stated that purchase orders of Thai seafood products from such major world importers as the EU, the United States, Japan and Austraila have been on the rise over the past 12 months, reflecting their recognition in the Thai government's progressive solution to the IUU fishing-related problems. The TTIA president, however, urged all relevant Thai parties to join forces in further improving and reviving the country's sea resources to sustain the Thai fishery sector and its related businesses in the long run. (TNA)