Fisheries Department open new round of fishing permit applications

BANGKOK, Jan 20 (TNA) -- The Fisheries Department has announced that it is launching a new comprehensive application for fishing permits from January 20 to February 20. Due to the fact that fishing permits for the 2016 - 2017 fishing season will soon expire, Fisheries Department Director-General Adisorn Promthep said that a new round of applications will be organized from January 20 to February 20. A joint effort between the Fisheries Department and the Command Center for Combating Illegal Fishing (CCCIF) has resulted in the integration of the application process for the two vital permits needed by fishermen to be allowed to fish. Application for both permits - Fishing License and Boat Registration can be now be made at coastal Provincial Fisheries Department branches, Fisheries Department Headquarters in Bangkok and other locations authorised by them. The Fisheries Department expects to receive approximately 12,000 applications. Fishing boats without the requisite permits will be prosecuted for committing felony and be slapped with criminal charges. Chirute Visalachitra, the Director-General of the Marine Department revealed that prior to this Boat Registrations were granted by them on a yearly basis while Fishing Licenses were issued by the Fisheries Department every two years. Furthermore, more often than not, expiration dates do not coincide. Boat operators had to make two applications at two departments located in different locations which is a chore. The new integrated process means that both permits can be granted simultaneously for one stop service centre at one location. (TNA)