Thai fleet upgraded in effort to meet EU IUU demands

Date: September 25, 2017

Source & Author: Undercurrent News

New technology and other improvements have been introduced in the Thai fishing fleet in an effort to get Thailand removed from the EU’s “watch list” for illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, reports the Nation.

All Thai fishing vessels that operate in international waters have had satellite communication systems, fishing vessel improvements and the introduction of onboard observers imposed to enhance monitoring of fishing activities and improve supply chain transparency for seafood products.

Since 2015, Thailand has been on the IUU watch list for its “unimproved fisheries industry”, which the EU claims is destroying marine resources and ecosystems, abusing workers aboard fishing boats, and failing to provide necessary facilities for workers.

The Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Centre is confronting those issues, said secretary-general, Khom Silpachan. However, Khom said most of the Thai fishing fleet still does not meet the IUU standards, “because almost all of the vessels are not equipped with necessary facilities for the crew onboard, such as a sleeping area, dining area and lavatory,”.

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