BANGKOK, 17 June 2015 – Private companies in the fishing industry have expressed their support for government efforts to eradicate illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing and human trafficking.
Deputy Chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce Poj Aramwattananont as well as six representatives from fishing associations and Charoen Pokphand Foods have announced their determination to support government policy to tackle IUU fishing and human trafficking under law.
Under the agreement, they will not purchase seafood and will terminate buying contracts with suppliers found to have violated human rights or the Fisheries Act 2015.
Dr. Poj assured that the issues surrounding IUU fishing and human trafficking have not affected the export of seafood from Thailand. However, these issues have shed a negative light on the nation.
However, he added that there remained some private companies that did not support the government’s efforts. The Deputy Chairman said that he believed the European Union and the United States will develop a more positive outlook towards Thailand and its ranking on the Human Trafficking Watch List will improve.
