PHUKET, 3 September 2015 – The Royal Thai Police has reported that the country’s effort to clamp down on illegal fishing is progressing well while the Deputy Prime Minister has called on all related agencies to work in an integrated manner.
Deputy National Police Chief Pol Gen Ek Angsananont paid a visit to the southern province of Phuket in order to inspect local officials’ operations to tackle illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing as well as human trafficking. He also met with fishery operators to listen to their obstacles.
Based on his inquiry, Pol Gen Ek affirmed that there have been no reports of IUU fishing or employment of illegal migrants by operators in the area. Since the Port-in Port-out Controlling Center was set up, he said tight cooperation has been established with relevant agencies and working units. Fishing vessels are properly declaring their arrival and departure while the types of boats and fishing equipment also comply with the regulations.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan encouraged all officials to integrate their operations with one another for higher efficiency. With Thailand’s determination to solve the IUU fishing problem, he expressed hope that the European Union will eventually agree to revoke its yellow card against the country.
