The Department of Fisheries has ordered owners of fishing boats with a capacity of at least 10 gross registered tons (GRT) to get their vessels and licenses inspected from August 15th September 15th.
Department Director-General Adisorn Promthep said ships with a capacity of 10-30 GRT are required to submit licenses for their fishing vessels and equipment plus their commercial fishing permits. Owners can have their ships inspected at fisheries offices in any of the 22 seaside provinces.
Ships with a capacity over 30 GRT are required to show their vessel monitoring systems, ship marks, proofs of maintenance checks and tonnage certificates. Owners can have their vessels inspected at Port In – Port Out Controlling Centers in their respective provinces.
Owners of inactive boats are to contact officials for separate inspections. Ships that meet the inspection requirements will receive certification stickers. Those failing to do so by the September 15th deadline risk getting their licenses revoked. The move is aimed at intensifying the crackdown on illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
