BANGKOK, 1 May 2015 – The Department of Fisheries is set to introduce its Port in – Port out system to all 22 seaside provinces on May 6 in a latest bid to crack down on illegal, unreported and unregistered (IUU) fishing.
Starting from May 6 onwards, operators of fishing boats of 30 gross tonnage or over will be required to give Port in – Port out centers necessary details of their boats, such as vessels’ license code, fishing equipment and identities of crew members within 24 hours before departure and entry. The procedure applies to all outgoing to incoming boats.
The scheme was earlier piloted in the southern provinces of Chumphon, Ranong, Songkhla and Phuket during April. The results were proven satisfactory. The Department of Fisheries has already instructed its provincial agencies to boost their PR campaigns to prepare the fishing industry for upcoming fishery laws which will come into effect in June.
The Department of Fisheries expects that the Port in – Port out system coupled with intense efforts of related agencies will enable the country to solve IUU fishing and human trafficking within the six-month deadline stipulated by the European Union, leading to the EU withdrawing its yellow card issued to the country.
