2-9-2023 (BANGKOK) Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has committed to addressing the challenges faced by the fisheries industry in Thailand, responding to calls from industry representatives to revise existing laws to mitigate the impact of measures aimed at combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
During a visit to Samut Songkhram, Prime Minister Srettha emphasized that the struggles of the fisheries sector are a top priority for the Pheu Thai-led government. He announced the establishment of a working committee dedicated to tackling these issues comprehensively.
The committee will be led by Capt Thamanat Prompow, the secretary-general of the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), who is expected to serve as the agriculture minister. Capt Thamanat was part of the delegation that met with representatives from the fisheries sector. Other members included Manaporn Charoensri from the Pheu Thai party, who is anticipated to become the deputy transport minister, and Phai Lik, a PPRP MP for Kamphaeng Phet, who is likely to take on the role of deputy commerce minister.
The fisheries representatives urged the new government to amend 13 pieces of legislation aimed at curbing IUU fishing practices. These measures had led to the European Union (EU) issuing a yellow card to Thailand in 2015. They argued that several IUU fishing restrictions and labor-related regulations had forced operators out of business and proposed a gradual wage increase to minimize any sudden adverse effects on business operations.
Before the yellow-card warning in 2015, Thailand’s seafood exports were valued at over 350 billion baht. However, during that period, the country had to import seafood worth 150 billion baht to meet its demands.
Prime Minister Srettha acknowledged the importance of addressing fisheries issues and expressed the government’s commitment to finding solutions. He suggested that some issues, like the documentation of migrant workers, could be addressed by establishing a one-stop service center, while other matters requiring international cooperation might take more time to resolve.
Regarding wage increases, Prime Minister Srettha acknowledged that it was a key policy for every coalition partner but stressed that the government would strive to minimize the financial burden on businesses.
Capt Thamanat announced plans to establish a working committee to spearhead efforts for the rehabilitation of the fisheries sector once he officially assumes office.
