BANGKOK, 16 July 2015, The Ministry of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives has said that all registered fishing boats must report to the Fisheries Department before the end of July.
According to the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Pitipong Pungboon Na Ayudhya, the Cabinet has tasked the Fisheries Department with looking into approaches to allowing a single fishing license to cover multiple fishing methods and lowering the license fee for small fishing vessels.
He reiterated that fishing vessels can still register at the provincial Marine Office and Fisheries Office.
Fishing vessels that have already registered must also report to Department officials before the end of July, the Minister said, adding that a discussion with the Labor Ministry about amending the law to allow foreigners to work as boat mechanics is going on right now. However, ship captain and first mate must be of Thai nationality, he stressed. Minister Pitipong also said fishing boats under 10 tons gross will be allowed to have the same person as the first mate and mechanic.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan said the Thai government has spared no effort in eradicating the IUU Fishing issues. He said several related laws will be amended for better clarity, and will soon be forwarded to the National Legislative Assembly for approval. He is confident that Thailand will not be red-carded by the European Union, as the nation has demonstrated its determination to address the issues.
