THE THIRD MEETING OF THE INTER-MINISTERIAL WORKING GROUP OF 689 AND THE THAI WORKING GROUP ON COMBATING IUU FISHING
On 3 December 2019, at 9.00 a.m., Mrs. Umaporn Phimolbut, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, presided over THE THIRD MEETING OF THE INTER-MINISTERIAL WORKING GROUP OF 689 AND THE THAI WORKING GROUP ON COMBATING IUU FISHING. With Mr. Mesak Pakdeekong, Director-General of the Department of Fisheries, along with the executives of the Department of Fisheries, representing Thailand. Also, with the delegation from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Mr. Nguyen Quang Hung Deputy Director General, Directorate of Fisheries (DFISH), attended a meeting and both shared experiences on solutions for resolving the Illegal Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing, including other relevant cooperation. The meeting was held at the Pha-Yoon Meeting Room, Department of Fisheries. Source : https://www4.fisheries.go.th/index.php/dof/activity_item/3834/all_activity/1
Mr. Bunchong Chumnongsittathum, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Fisheries, gave opening remarks on the USAID Oceans Regional eCDT Technical Guidance Workshop at Amari Watergate Bangkok Hotel
On 2 December 2019, Mr. Bunchong Chumnongsittathum, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Fisheries, gave opening remarks on the USAID Oceans Regional electronic catch documentation and traceability (eCDT) Technical Guidance Workshop at Amari Watergate Bangkok Hotel. The meeting aims to discuss on Regional Technical Guidance on the Adoption and Use of eCDT Systems, which supports fishery management, human welfare, and roles of the government-private sector in the Catch Documentation and Traceability System. Reference : https://www4.fisheries.go.th/index.php/dof/activity_item/3827
Fisheries Department confirms local fishermen’s problems being solved
BANGKOK (NNT) - The Fisheries Department has confirmed local fishermen’s problems are being solved and verification papers are meant for their own benefit. The department was responding to the local fishermen who said they might gather in mass protest if some measures which have been adversely affecting them were not promptly amended. Fisheries Department Director General Mesak Phakdeekhong said today the National Fisheries Association of Thailand has raised 11 problems for the department to solve and admitted some local fishermen are being adversely affected by the department’s regulations. The department has taken measures to provide relief aid for the affected fishermen, restore coastal resources and contain the fishing industry’s labor shortages. However, he said some of the fishermen’s demands could not be met immediately. Commercial fishing operators and local fishermen have been urged to register with the Marine Department by the end of December to obtain verification papers. There are a total of 10,467 commercial trawlers and over 27,000 local fishing boats with a maximum of 10 tons displacement. The registration benefits the local fishermen regarding their access to the government’s relief fund and in respect to the number of boats and the authorities’ administration and management of natural resources. The department chief said he could give explanations and reach an understanding with the local fishermen if they eventually stage a protest. written by National News Bureau & Public Relations, source : https://www4.fisheries.go.th/index.php/dof/activity_item/3821/all_activity/1
DOF leads to international standards, is certified by the United States for Thailand's Siluriformes fish and fish products inspector system, The business operators can prepare to submit export requests from December 5, 2019, onward
The Department of Fisheries is certified by the United States for Thailand's Siluriformes fish and fish products inspector system. The business operators can prepare to submit export requests from December 5, 2019, onward. The Department of Fisheries notified the business operators who will export Thailand's Siluriformes fish and fish products to the United States can prepare to export from now onward. The United States certified Thailand's Siluriformes fish and fish products inspector system. Also, it is allowed the business import products Siluriformes fish and fish products produced in certified Thailand establishments by the Department of Fisheries, effective from December 5, 2019, onward. Since February 26, 2016, Thailand has submitted an application to verified the equality of Thailand's Siluriformes fish inspection system to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) system, Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) to comply with the U.S. regulation regarding the export of Siluriformes fish and fish products. Dr. Vicharn Ingsrisawang, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Fisheries, revealed that from February 26, 2016, onward, the Siluriformes fish and fish products in various forms, including fresh fish, processed fish could be exported to the United States. The final proposed rule was announced by the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has determined that Thailand's Siluriformes fish inspection system is equivalent to the system that the United States has established under the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) and its implementing regulations. Under this rule, only raw Siluriformes fish and fish products produced in certified Thailand establishments would be eligible for export to the United States. All such products would continue to be subject to re-inspection at U.S. points-of-entry by FSIS inspectors. In leading to international standards, the Fish Inspection and Quality Control Division, the Department of Fisheries is dedicated to improving the inspection system and be able to pass the equivalence process assessment from the United States. Including evaluating documents and visiting to inspect systems and processes for controlling the production of fishery products such as farm inspection, manufactory inspection. As a result, Thailand is one of the three countries that USDA certified, even it took three years to implement. In this regard, in 2020, it is estimated that Siluriformes fish and fish products to be exported to the U.S., such as Fresh catfish (chilled/frozen), Fillet catfish fillet (Fresh/chilled/chilled until frozen), Dry catfish, will be able to create value not less than in the past, at least 20 million baht. Therefore, the business operators who will export raw fish skin products to the United States have to register and receive HACCP certification by submitting a certification request to the Department of Fisheries and prepare relevant documents as follows: (1) Juristic person certification, issued by Ministry of Commerce, Thailand, in case of not a juristic person, attach a copy of the registered address of the manufacturer, along with a copy of the owner's ID card (2) Company registration certificate (3) Food manufacturing license, issued by the Ministry of Public Health, Thailand (4) Factory license, issued by Ministry of Industry, Thailand (5) Fishery Manufacturing Registration, issued by the Department of Fisheries, Thailand (6) HACCP Manual (7) The location of the plant (8) Letter of power of attorney to receive a certificate The business operators can contact for receiving the certification at The Fish Inspection and Quality Control Division, the Department of Fisheries, Tel./ Fax 0 2558 0142 The provincial business operators can contact during their office hours at (1) Samut Sakhon Fish Inspection and Research Center, Tel. 0 3441 0517 -18 ext. 208, Fax 0 3445 7423 (2) Surat Thani Fish Inspection and Research Center, Tel. 0 7731 0728 / 0 7731 0845, Fax 0 7731 0898 (3) Songkhla Fish Inspection and Research Center, Tel. 0 7431 2037 Fax 0 7431 4797 Reference : https://www4.fisheries.go.th/index.php/dof/activity_item/3814/all_activity/1
Mr. Mesak Pakdeekong, chaired of the 3rd meeting to prepare for the Working Group on Solving IUU fishing between Thailand and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
On November 27, 2019, at 9.30 a.m., at the Kuladam Meeting Room, 7th floor, Chulabhorn Building, Department of Fisheries. Mr. Mesak Pakdeekong, Director-General of the Department of Fisheries, chaired of the 3rd meeting to prepare for the Working Group on Solving IUU fishing between Thailand and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, which will be held on December 3, 2019. This meeting aims to exchange and present the experience of solving the problem of IUU fishing. Also, to propose measures to prevent fishing boats from Invading neighboring country's territorial waters. Including reporting progress on the construction artificial coral reefs project in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Reference : https://www4.fisheries.go.th/index.php/dof/activity_item/3813 https://www4.fisheries.go.th/local/index.php/main/view_activities/1229/62033
The group of a special seminar on International Special Seminar on Marine Eco-label Japan from Japan, paid a courtesy call on Mr. Banjong Chamnongsittham and Mr. Vicharn Ingsrisawang
On November 26, 2019, at 1 p.m., the group of a special seminar on "International Special Seminar on Marine Eco-label Japan" from Japan, paid a courtesy call on Mr. Banjong Chamnongsittham and Mr. Vicharn Ingsrisawang, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Fisheries, at the YiSok Meeting Room, Floor 2, Chulabhorn Building, Department of Fisheries. Reference : https://www4.fisheries.go.th/index.php/dof/activity_item/3806