Thailand to raise fisheries to world standard

BANGKOK, October 13 (TNA) - Thailand's Department of Fisheries, under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, have cooperated with eight fisheries associations to upgrade the Thai fisheries to meet the world standard with environmental responsibility. Department of Fisheries Deputy Director-General Umaporn Pimolbutr told journalists of the move on October 12, saying that the maritime Thai territory in the Gulf of Thailand has been set as the area under the pilot project for the country's sustainable development of fisheries throughout their supply chains. Umaporn revealed that the associations working together with her department for the Fishery Improvement Project (FIP) in the Gulf of Thailand include the National Fisheries Association of Thailand (NFAT), the Thai Overseas Fisheries Association (TOFA), the Thai Fishmeal Producers Association (TFPA), the Thai Feed Mill Association (TFMA), the Thai Frozen Foods Association (TFFA), the Thai Shrimp Association (TSA), the Thai Tuna Industry Association (TTIA) and the Thai Food Processors' Association. Under the agreed cooperation, Umaporn noted, all the concerned parties will follow the same operational guideline based on the check and balance principle throughout the supply-chains. Meanwhile, TFMA President Pornsilp Patchrintanakul hailed the agreed cooperation on behalf of the private sector and marine resource consumers, stressing that the main goal of FIP includes all legal fisheries products within their transparent supply chains with efficient management and recognised inspection systems. (TNA)