Private sector backs Thai government against illegal fishing

BANGKOK, June 16 (TNA) - Six private associations support the government's attempts to tackle illegal fishing and related human trafficking so that Thai fishing products will not be boycotted overseas. Together with the Board of Trade of Thailand, the private associations announced the stance on Tuesday to impose the Fishery Act and the Anti-Human Trafficking Act effectively in order to solve illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in Thailand. The associations include the Thai Frozen Foods Association, the Thai Food Processors' Association, the Thai Tuna Industry Association and the Thai Shrimp Association, vowing that they will reject seafood from fishing operators who violate laws and involve in illegal fishing, labour abuse and human trafficking. Calling for transparency and accountability throughout the Thai seafood industry, the private associations noted that IUU and the inclusion of Thailand in the United States' Tier 3 watch list of countries with the worst human trafficking have not yet affected Thai fishing exports but have impacted the image of Thai exports of fishing products. The private associations expressed their hope that the United States should exclude Thailand from its Tier 3 watch list later this month. (TNA)