Hoping to stave off a seafood ban from the European Union, the Royal Thai Navy opened a fishing port “control center” in Sattahip to monitor trawler traffic and register migrant workers.
Rear Adm. Wasan Boonneung, deputy director of the Maritime Enforcement Coordinating Center in the First Naval Area, cut the ribbon May 6 on the new center, one of 16 set up around the country to help Thailand comply with the EU’s regulations on illegal, unreported, and unregistered fishing.
Hoping to stave off a seafood ban from the European Union, the Royal Thai Navy has opened a fishing port “control center” in Sattahip to monitor trawler traffic and register migrant workers.
The EU last month issued Thailand a “yellow card” warning for its perennial failure to control illegal fishing practices, human trafficking, and unregistered boats. The country was given six months to clean up its act or face a complete ban on its seafood by EU countries, which could cost the kingdom 30 billion baht a year.
Songkran Sangjan, head of the Chonburi Fisheries Department, said the center will monitor inbound and outbound transits by fishing boats and record their destinations, catch and crew. The facility also will serve as a “one-stop center” for fisheries-related agencies to interact with fishing boat operators.
Top Navy officers and port officials inspect fishing boats in harbor at Sattahip.
Other centers have been established at Wangkrajae and Khlong Yai in Trat, Laem Sing in Chantaburi, Paknam ad Prasae in Rayong, Taiban in Samut Prakan, Mahachai in Samut Sakon, Lard Yai in Samut Songkham, Ban Laem in Petchaburi, Aownoi and Bangsapannoi in Prachuab Kirikhan, Paknam Lungsuan in Chumphon, and Paknam in Chachoengsao.
