ID :
372832
Mon, 06/29/2015 - 15:24
Auther :

Thai government bans unlicensed fishing trawlers as of July 1

BANGKOK, June 29 (TNA) - The Thai government has allowed unlicensed fishermen and illegal fishing boats until June 30, 2015 to obtain licences, or they will face decisive legal action as of July 1. Paiboon Ponsuwanna, an adviser of the Thai National Shippers’ Council (TNSC), told journalists of the information on Monday, saying that it is about time for Thailand to follow international standards and to wipe out influential figures behind the fishing business who have taken advantages of the sector for a long time. Paiboon admitted, however, that the government's decisive measure will affect both the domestic fishery industry and consumption. Meanwhile, concerned authorities inspected the fish market in Krabi Province in the Thai South and checked licences of about 20 local trawlers anchored at the shore, but they initially found no violator of the law. An owner of a trawler said he has been in the local fishing business for more than two decades and agreed with the Thai government’s decision, as it should help eliminate human trafficking-related problems and create more confidence in the international community, especially when the single free market among member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is formed by the end of this year. In Trang Province, also in the Thai South, officials in Kantang District installed a vessel monitoring system (VMS) on fishing boats, as required by the new law, and also checked fishing registration of 250 trawlers operating in the area. Owners of the local trawlers told reporters although their costs have increased due to the VMS installation and a legal obligation for their reports on how many marine animals they have caught, they are willing to follow the new law. (TNA)

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