On Wednesday 11 July, the members of the European Parliament’s fisheries committee in Brussels for the most part hailed the efforts made by the Thai government to combat illegal fishing and forced labour in the fisheries sector (see EUROPE 11661).
Thailand is still under the European Commission’s yellow card on IUU (illegal, unreported, unregulated) fisheries. In September this year, the Commission will make an assessment of Thailand’s reforms aimed at eradicating IUU fishing.
Virachai Plasai, Thailand’s chief ambassador and negotiator concerning IUU fishing, spoke of the reform efforts accomplished to eradicate this scourge and fight against human trafficking. He welcomed the “constructive dialogue with the Commission”, saying: “We have managed to make headway on all points”. The laws adopted and the instruments in place make it possible to: - monitor stages from the building of vessels to fishing and product processing operations; - better conserve resources and discourage wrongdoers.
In respect of fisheries management, the government decided to ban certain kinds of gear and to ban fishing in the Gulf of Thailand.
Management of the fleet has meant the fleet has been reduced: there are 10,612 vessels holding fishing licences and 1,098 which do not have licences, and which should cease fishing activity (these are economic operators, not fishermen who need to feed their families).
Significant means are in place to control fishing vessels (inspections at sea, offloading inspections, surveillance aircraft) and “the law can be applied rigorously”, Plasai promised. Since May 2015, there have been 4,448 IUU fisheries-related cases or cases relating to the trafficking of human beings. “Over 89% of the cases have been judged”, the ambassador said. Measures are also in place regarding the traceability and registration of migrant workers.
Ulrike Rodus (S&D, Germany) said she admired the work carried out by the Thai government. “It is remarkable to have achieved so much in three years”, she said.
Ricardo Serrao Santos (S&D, Portugal) took the view that progress was “remarkable”. The country, he said, no longer deserves a yellow card, but he did say there were still problems when it comes to forced labour. He was “in admiration” of progress achieved, he said.
Werner Kuhn (EPP, Germany) considered the yellow card was severe but that it had made it possible to achieve excellent results.
Isabelle Thomas (S&D, France) also spoke of the “considerable progress” made by Thailand. She noted the situation was still controversial on three points: - fishing techniques; - resource management (no quota system or maximum sustainable yield); - social rights (no work contracts, physical violence and even executions on board).
Linnéa Engström (Greens/EFA, Sweden), who chaired the meeting of the fisheries committee, spoke highly of the impressive reforms made by Thailand.
From 31 October to 4 November 2017, a delegation of the EP fisheries committee had been able to carry out on-the-spot verification of the efforts made by Thailand to combat IUU fishing. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)