Thai fishing measures win global recognition

BANGKOK, March 13 (TNA) -- Thailand has presented its measures to ensure legal fishing in the United States and its success is recognised in a global forum there. Virachai Plasai, Thai ambassador to the US, said after a discussion on “Thailand’s Path to Sustainable Fisheries” in the Seafood Expo North America 2018 in Boston that he presented what Thailand had done to stop illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in the discussion which gathered a large number of global seafood traders. It was the first time for Thailand to present its comprehensive work on fisheries and representatives of seafood importers paid attention to the presentation and posed questions to seek more details, Mr Virachai said. Walmart which was a major seafood importer praised Thailand for the achievement and considered the country as a leader in fights against illegal fishing, he said. “The private sector of the US has advanced thinking and does not believe in anything easily. After posing questions, it realizes that we are sincere and honest… We have told them what we have done and we made great progress in the past three years,” the ambassador said. He also said that Walmart encouraged Thailand to join its efforts to introduce successful fishing-related measures to nearby countries. Adisorn Promthep, director-general of the Fisheries Department, said systems to ensure legal fishing were completely installed, including systems to monitor fishing boats and track fish caught locally and overseas. In the past three years, Thailand made great success which normally took a decade in other countries, he said. Pol Lt Gen Jaruwat Waisaya, head of law enforcement at the Command Center for Combating Illegal Fishing, said authorities made about 4,000 arrests related to illegal fishing and dealt with about 80 cases of related human trafficking. (TNA)