BANGKOK, 11 July 2015, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha has asked trawler operators nationwide to strictly follow regulations.
According to the PM, the government is committed to solving the problems of the Thai fishing industry demanded by the European Union’s illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. General Prayut disclosed that doing so would prevent labor and human trafficking issues in the fisheries sector, as well as preserving the nation’s maritime resources .
Fishing-related trades, exports and businesses generate more than 200 billion baht of income annually. According to the Prime Minister, maritime resources management must be done to maintain the balance of aquatic animals in the Thai waters. He reiterated that the administration would work to the best of its ability to address the issue, in order to create a stronger fishing industry.
The Prime Minister also stressed that the government would provide assistance to fishing boat operators as much as possible, especially small-scale fishermen. He said all trawler operators must operate legally and do so without affecting natural resources. Related agencies have already been instructed to help addressing the issue.
