Many Thai trawlers stop fishing, seafood prices rising

BANGKOK, July 2 (TNA) - Thai authorities concerned have continued inspecting fishing trawlers nationwide based on the new fishery rule, which has taken effect from July 1, 2015, while local seafood prices have kept rising, as many trawlers have stopped fishing for fears of violating the stiffer law. The concerned authorities on Thursday inspected about 200 fishing trawlers anchored idly at the Mae Klong estuary and also observed the livelihood of local fishing workers, particularly migrant ones, on concerns over an influx of the migrant workers ashore to find new jobs if they cannot work on fishing boats. In Trang and Surat Thani Provinces in the Thai South, concerned authorities patrolled along the Trang River and found that almost 3,000 small-scale fishing boats anchored because the names of skippers and engineers did not match with registrations. In Phichit Province in the Lower Thai North, seafood prices have been increasing, with the prices of prawn, crab and squid having risen as much as 30 baht a kilogram, causing a sluggish trade. Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan told journalists that the Thai government and the Royal Thai Navy had asked local trawlers to operate legally, saying he believed not too many trawlers are on strike, which should not affect local seafood supplies, while the protesters should admit it is about time for Thailand to follow international norms. The European Union (EU) on April 21, 2015 gave Thailand the yellow card for failing to deal with illegal unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU) and gives the country six months to address the issue. If no improvements were made within the specified period, Thai fishery products would be banned in the 28-member trade bloc. (TNA)