An Agriculture Ministry official reviewed legal steps being taken to bring Thailand’s fishing industry in line with European Union standards at a seminar in Pattaya.
Laks Wojananwach, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, and Pol. Let. Gen. Jaruwat Waisaya, legal chief for the Coordinating Center for Combatting Illegal Fishing, were the speakers at the March 17 meeting at the Dusit Thani Hotel.
The EU threatened in 2015 to ban all Thai seafood imports if it didn’t register all fishing boats, ban certain equipment and prohibit illegal aliens from working on boats.
Laks said the government has made urgent changes to laws and policies to avoid sanctions and also to educate companies and fishermen about the policies.
Their goal, he said, is to strengthen coordination and communication between the Royal Thai Navy and the industry.
The seminar reviewed law enforcement efforts and gave participants a chance to air grievances and share experiences.
