Thailand’s Progress on Combating IUU Fishing and Labour Issues towards Fisheries Sustainability
1. Update on combating IUU fishing after removal of the EU IUU yellow card After the release of the EU IUU yellow card in 2019, Thailand has shifted the work and activities on combating IUU fishing and labour issues in the fisheries sector to regular bureaucratic jobs. Of which the competent authorities in various matters will lead to implement in full scale. During the transition from Command Center on Combating Illegal Fishing (CCCIF) which was a task force set up to supervise operations with the main goal of removing EU IUU yellow cards, to a legal authority, there was not smooth in some activities. This is because during the transition period (2019-2020), the Department of Fisheries which is the main operating unit in particular for the MCS, set about restructuring Divisions involved in MCS. However, The Thai government has remained taking actions to address IUU fishing in various dimensions which are of legal framework and policy strategies, fishing fleet and fishery resources management, enhancement of MCS, strengthening laws and penalty enforcement, upgrading the electronic traceability system, preventing labor manipulation and proactively collaborating in international level including initiating the national policy of IUU FREE THAILAND. Thai government still maintains the policy in combating IUU fishing for sustainable fishery resources management. In spite of the Covid-19 pandemic from 2020- 2021, Thailand continually carried out combating IUU fishing according to existing measures, guidelines complied to international standards. fishing fleet management by taking small scale fishing vessels into the registration system, searching for appropriate VMS for small scale fishing vessels, successively banning registration of commercial fishing vessel for one year at a time, no policy to allocate additional fishing days for fishermen toward the end of fishery year which is considered to implement a measure of fish allocation transfer, and allocating budgets for taking vessels out of the fisheries system. Moreover, Thailand has conducted the monitoring, control and surveillance for Thai fishing vessels operating in Thai waters and outside Thai waters by enforcing law strictly and continually, cooperating on combating IUU fishing in ASEAN region under ASEAN Roadmap on Combating IUU Fishing and mechanisms on RPOA-IUU and ASEAN Network for Combating IUU Fishing (AN-IUU) which the Department of Fisheries (DOF) served as AN-IUU center and Interactive Platform administrator. The Department of Fisheries continues to work with international organizations, including the EJF and other international organizations in the inspection, control and surveillance. The EJF has carried out multiple in-dept observations of the Thai Government initiatives aimed at tackling IUU Fishing and human trafficking in Thai fishing industry. EJF observes all stages of the MCS system in place with visits to all 30 Port in and Port out (PIPO) centers, all three Thai Maritime Enforcement Commands Centre (Thai MECC) Area commands, as well as witnessing multiple at sea patrols and inspection conducted by the Thai Navy, Marine Police DoF, and Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR). 1.1 New legal framework As Thailand has amended its fishery legal framework to meet international standard in order to prevent, deter and eliminate IUU. Thailand has ratified several international conventions relating to IUU fishing which are UNCLOS, UNFSA (UN Fish Stocks Agreement), IUU (PSMA) (Port State Measures Agreement), FAO Global Record, Conservation and Management Measures (CMM) of Regional Fisheries Management Organization (RFMOs). Under the new legal framework and law of the sea, Thailand introduced new electronic systems on fishing vessel registration, issuing fishing license, monitoring and control of vessels and fishing activities, catch and crew inspection, traceability for fishery products and seriously enforcing law and penalties. Liberal fishing has been changed to controlled fishing under restricted issuance of fishing license. The system is based on Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) and catch allowance to prevent overfishing. The Thai Government has implemented necessary measures to reduce fishing efforts since 2016. The Royal Thai Government has allocated an additional more than 110 mill USD specifically to combat IUU fishing on top of regular departmental budgets which already contained significant capital and resources allocations to combat IUU fishing as part of their day-to-day operational activity. The fund has enabled the Thai authorities to combat IUU fishing in a systematic way. The new fisheries law is a comprehensive legal framework not only on the prevention and deterrence of IUU fishing, but also on marine resource management and conservation. At present, Thailand continues to strictly enforce the Fisheries Law (Royal Ordinance on Fisheries 2015) and the relevant Marine Department laws (Royal Ordinance on Thai Vessels B.E. 2018 and the Navigation in Thai Waters Act). The implementation of administrative measures in Thailand still maintains the timeframe as stipulated by the DoF Regulations on the implementation of administrative measures. From November 2020 to October 2021, there were 459 cases of prosecution against offenders under the Royal Ordinance on Fisheries, B.E. 2558 (2015), of which 167 cases were related to Thai fishing vessels under 30 gloss tons. Of these 459 criminal cases (included foreign fishing vessels 7 cases), 132 cases were the offenders found and fines imposed and of which the fines have been paid by the offenders totally 107 cases, with total amount of 19.2 million baht. 1.2 Fishing fleet and fishery resources management system Thai authorities have reduced fishing capacity and ensured that Thailand developed a more sustainable fishing and fisheries sector. This also enabled Thailand to better help protect its marine resources through the Fisheries Management Plan (FMP) and the National Plan of Action on IUU (NPOA-IUU). Both Plans have been revised and updated into the second publication which were endorsed by the National Fisheries Policy Committee. At present, to prevent the Thai fishing vessels from engaging in IUU fishing and to support the sustainable fisheries, while successively banning registration of commercial fishing vessel for one year at a time, a part of commercial fishing vessels (> 10GT)of 10,400 vessels, the Marine Department has registered artisanal fishing vessels together with identity formulation totally of 56,087 vessels, of which 48,971 vessels have been registered and identified by marking, but there are still some unregistered fishing vessels and no identification which is in the process of legal proceedings. Nevertheless, it plans for completion of artisanal fishing vessel registration by 31 March 2022. The DoF has completed the 2021 Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) assessment to be used as a reference point for issuing fishing licenses for the Fishery Year 2022-2023. The assessment was divided into 3 groups of aquatic animals namely demersal, pelagic and anchovy. The results of such assessment are endorsing by National Fisheries Policy Committee in order to set the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) allocated for commercial and artisanal fishing vessels. In principle, DOF will allocate the catch for artisanal fishing vessels as first priority specified in the Fisheries Management Plan (FMP) using the average catch per unit effort by dividing the artisanal fishing vessels into 2 groups namely small artisanal fishing vessels (lower than 5 gross tons) and large artisanal fishing vessels (5 gross tons but lower than 10 gross tons) due to different fishing efficiency and also separated by different fishing gear types in the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea. Nevertheless, artisanal fishing vessels are able to operate fishing all year round without restriction; the remaining catch allocation will be allocated for low efficiency commercial fishing vessels and high efficiency commercial fishing vessels respectively. Towards the sustainability of country fisheries, DoF is undertaking a possibility of MSY assessment for individual species for optimal exploitation of fish population in Thailand. Moreover, DOF under the cooperation with Thai fisheries processing plant and exporters, and the Seafood Taskforce in Thailand has significant progress on implementing Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs) including FIP for Blue Swimming Crab FIP, Long tail tuna (Tonggol) FIP, and Trawl FIP, and purse seine FIP in pipeline for sustainable fishery resources management in Thailand. 1.3 Monitoring, Control and Surveillance System (MCS) As the Thai Government has developed and strengthened the Monitoring, Control and Surveillance System (MCS). The system required close collaboration and integration among relevant agencies with the objectives to prevent, deter and issue legal actions against those involved in IUU fishing. The system involved port-in and port-out control, inspection at port, inspection at sea, air monitoring, inspection of labor on board and remote monitoring by the Fishery Monitoring Center (FMC) using modernized database and information technology system (IT), available 24/7 throughout all integrated inspection and control parties. Common Risk Assessment (CRA) has completely evolved and replaced the pre-common risk assessment (Pre-CRA) for inspection of fishing vessel and activities at different mode by different inspecting agency. If it is necessary the CRA may be required to review from time to time according to the changed fishers behavior on fishing activities. The FMC According to gaps found after the reorganization of the DoF’s agencies relating to fishing vessels inspection both at sea and at port, The Department of Fisheries has reviewed a working procedure for FMC to notify the relevant agencies including litigation for the officials concerned to have clear guidelines and work processes. It also set the timeline of each step for quick operation. Whenever the FMC has notified the target to the marine and the port inspection units, those units performed their duties and enforced the law accordingly. If it is unable to find evidence of wrongdoing, the unit shall report to the FMC for review and bring it to the Daily Brief Working Group for consideration Moreover, to prevent the risk occurred to fishers in engaging the illegal fishing, DoF including the FMC and PIPO centers has promoted following additional measures: 1) There is constantly disseminated manual for commercial fishing operation and information to fishers on the boundaries line, prohibited fishing areas, measures and legal requirements by each PIPO Centre. 2) Set the Buffer line from the control area in the Fisheries Touch application, for example, the Buffer is defined 0.5 nautical miles from the coast line and protected areas and 3 nautical miles from the Thailand waters boundary and the neighboring waters boundary in order for warning fishermen taking cautious when navigating and fishing. 3) Gain understands and ability to adjust the vessel positioning system (GPS of fishing vessels) in accordance with designated line of FMC for the vessel owners and vessel masters in order to avoid the risk of accidental wrongdoing by fishermen due to GPS error. 4) Organize an event for vessel masters visiting the PIPO Center to gain more knowledge and understanding of rules, procedures, standard and measures. Inspection at sea For the inspection at sea, which is carried out by 3 agencies namely the Fisheries Patrol of the Department of Fisheries, THAIMECC and the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources. From 1 November 2020 to 31 October 2021, the fishing vessels inspection at sea have been conducted totally 1,856 times, of which 6,374 fishing vessels inspected and found illegal fishing 376 cases, 294 offenders. Most cases were illegal fishing gears which were confiscated and unable to arrest the offender for 241 cases, followed by 119 cases of artisanal fishing vessels lower than 10 GT (89 cases of traditional fishing gear and 30 cases of commercial fishing gear). When considering each case, it found that most cases involved in illegal fishing gear and offenders could not be arrested because while checking the fishing gear the owner was not present. The illegal fishing gear included elongated foldable trap numbering 182 cases, 12 accused persons, followed by push net and trawler fishing in coastal area. Oversea fisheries Regarding overseas fishing, Thailand implements control, monitoring and surveillance system using effectively technology equipped with ERS (E-logbook) or reporting catch using logbook. CCTV is installed to record continuous fishing and transshipping activities. Drum-rotation sensors are used to monitor the application of fishing gear. VMS (Vessel Monitoring Systems) and AIS (Automatic Identification System) are tools used for tracking vessel locations while Hatch Sensors are used for monitoring the occupation of fish holds in the vessel. An application has been developed for reporting by on-board observer. These devices effectively control and monitor the fishing activities of oversea fishing vessels and transhipping activities of carrier vessels at sea. Additionally, to prevent illegal fishing, transferring of catch and labour onboard, an observer on board the fishing vessel is required to monitor within the vessel inspection of port in -port out control and landing inspection. Currently, there are 4 Thai oversea fishing vessels permitted to fish in the Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (SIOFA) area and 5 oversea transshipment vessels permitted to transship at the Maldives port. In 2020, the DoF has revised the notifications on fishing operation of Thai fishing vessels and Thai transshipment vessels in SIOFA area in compliance with the current conservation and management measures of SIOFA, and educated the oversea fishers to follow the notification and the SIOFA CMMs strictly. Despite the COVID 19 pandemic situation, Thailand still places importance to control, monitor and surveillance of Thai oversea fishing fleets fishing in SIOFA area by inspecting the readiness of electronic reporting and monitoring systems (ERS and EM) by means of remote control. The system must be fully functioned at all time before the vessels departure including observers on board. Although some Contracting Parties requested SIOFA for suspension of observers on board in the event of the COVID-19 outbreak due to travel restriction of the observers on board, Thailand still deployed observers on board for all vessel trips in order to ensure that the Thai oversea fishing fleet follow SIOFA’s measures strictly and collect all scientific data. In addition to the above-mentioned control and monitoring measures and observer deployment on oversea fishing vessels. In case there is a surveillance process that Thailand agencies cannot handle, OceanMind and IJM are requested to assist in further monitoring, such as the use of satellite imagery, particularly when loss of VMS signal. Performance on Port State Measures (PSM) The DoF remains to exercise PSM stringently to the foreign vessel enter to Thai port for fish offloading. Last year there were more than 8,000 trips of foreign vessels entering port were inspected according to port state measures, of which 97% were fishing vessels of neighboring countries. The volume of imported aquatic animals, however, was totally 783,000 tons, and about 66% imported by non- neighboring countries and main imported species was tuna as the raw material for processing in Thai establishments for export. Last year the DoF denied the request Thai port entry for repairing of a vessel namely PROGRESSO, because it was on the IOTC IUU vessel list. To monitor the importation of aquatic animals into Thai ports under the port state measures, OceanMind has worked with the DoF PSM team to help verify information on transshipment vessels entering port including catching vessel to prevent the importation of fish derived from IUU fishing. The DoF has agreed with OceanMind to develop a PSM tool program so that the DoF PSM team can inspect foreign vessels enter Thai port by ourself when cooperation with OceanMind has terminated. The PSM tool system is still in development by OceanMind, which is expected to be completed in June 2022. However, OceanMind has provided capacity building on the job training to strengthen DoF PSM staff on PSM inspection and evaluation. Moreover, DoF continues enhancement and strengthening on PSM inspection for its PSM officers as follows: (1) The Department of Fisheries in cooperation with NOAA and USAID, organized an online workshop to train inspectors for port state measures between 14-19 June 2021 and 2-6 August 2021, under the cooperation between the DoF and NOAA, the science agency under the USAID. This training course primarily aimed to support Thailand in its fighting against IUU fishing and enhance PSMA implementation capacity by focusing on the implementation of PSMA measures, such as understanding the roles and responsibilities of PSMA inspectors, monitor IUU fishing activities, and inspection of fishing vessels and support vessels flying foreign flags entering the Thai port in compliance with the PSMA. Moreover, the workshop also served as a forum for discussion, exchange information and experience between NOAA experts and Thai officials as well. (2) The DoF in collaboration with the FAO and NOAA, organized online training for officials of ASEAN countries for the implementation of port state measures from 26-29 October 2021. This training aimed to support the implementation of PSM in Southeast Asian countries through the Regional Cooperation Mechanism of SEAFDEC (SEAFDEC Training Department, TD) under the project named “Strengthening Regional Cooperation and Strengthening National Capacities to Eliminate IUU fishing in Southeast Asian” to support and assist ASEAN Member States in implementing the PSM through an understanding of the requirements contained in the PSMA, strengthen capacity through participation at all levels and strengthen regional cooperation in combating IUU fishing. Port in and Port out inspection During the past three years (2019-2021), there were averaged 10,500 commercial fishing vessels were granted fishing licenses. Number of fishing vessel trips notified port in-port out each year was fluctuated according to the fishing season, and many vessels could not do fishing at the end of the fishing year because their fishing days were used up before the end of the fishing year. The percentage of vessel target for inspection ranged from 20-21% of all port in-port out notification based on common risk assessment management. Additionally, fishing vessel inspections by the PIPO center was averaged about 90-100% of the total inspection target. (Figure 1) From 1 November 2020 to 31 October 2021, there were 402,125 trips of port in-port out notification. 30 PIPO centers inspected fishing vessels 83,363 times, representing 20.73% of the total number of ports in-port out notification. The results of the inspection of fishing vessels compared with the vessel inspection by PIPO notified targets, the efficiency is stable every month, with the efficiency of fishing vessel inspection in the range of 99.62% - 99.99%, representing an average of 99.83%. Therefore, it can be assumed that after the restructuring of PIPO Center, the officers are still able to perform their duties at the same efficiency. The Department of Fisheries (DoF) of Thailand in collaboration with EJF conducted a joint inspection and notified the in charge DoF agencies of any suspicious target found in the area through the coordinating officer of FMC and EJF. Occasionally, EJF and DoF observe together during PIPO’s inspection of port-in and port-out notifications, catch landing, including labour inspection of patrol vessels at the port and sea. EJF has assessed Thailand’s patrol unit effectiveness and has periodically arranged the report on Thailand’s progress in combating IUU, forced labour, and human trafficking. In addition, EJF and DoF also work closely to carry out the project on gathering garbage (waste) onboard fishing vessels and bringing it back to shore, a total of 43 offenses were found (19 cases were infringements under the Royal Ordinance on Fisheries, 2015 and 24 cases under Ministerial Regulation on Labor Protection in Marine Fisheries, 2014) and 12 Orders issued by the labor inspectors under Labor Protection Act. DoF in cooperation with OceanMind, is conducting a training course on "Investigation Mind MCS and Enforcement training" for 27 operators of PIPO and FMC by means of self-learning via platform Moodle between 15 October 2021 and 24 April 2022. Owing to the epidemic situation of the second and third waves of COVID-19 in Thailand since the end of 2020 and throughout 2021, it affected the monitoring operations of the PIPO center during that period until December 2021, which the government by the Ministry of Public Health has imposed various strict control measures including control the travel and movement of people. Likewise, the governors of various provinces have restricted travel, entry and exit of various areas, therefore, PIPO centers have also established guidelines for inspecting fishing vessels under the COVID-19 epidemic situation and for each PIPO center to apply and adjust accordingly to the situation of each province. PIPO Center’s guidelines for vessel inspections under the COVID-19 pandemic are as follows: 1. Inspection of fishing vessel by the multidisciplinary team according to PIPO manual 2. Reduce the tasks of inspection team but maintain regular inspection and the interview of workers on fishing vessel by the Department of Labor Protection and Welfare will be conducted via teleconference. 3. Long-distance video surveillance by the vessel owner or an authorized representative in accordance with official guidelines for remote video monitoring. 4. Inspect fishing vessels at port through the LINE application by the vessel owner or an authorized representative in accordance with official procedures by specifying the date, time and location through the LINE application. Due to the spread of COVID-19 situation in late 2020 has improved, the fishing vessel inspection at port was conducted by a multi-disciplinary team according to the PIPO Manual as usual. Later at the beginning of the year 2021, a new wave of COVID-19 was found, so all PIPO centers were notified to follow the PIPO Center's Vessel Inspection Guidelines under the COVID-19 Pandemic Situation from January 2021 onwards, and in November 2021, the guidelines in items 1-3 mentioned above were applied only in the most strictly COVID-19 controlled areas. In other areas, fishing vessel inspection at port shall be conducted by a multi-disciplinary team according to the PIPO Manual as usual. 1.4 Catch Certification and Traceability System for Exported Fish and Fisheries Product Thailand has established a comprehensive traceability system covering whole supply chain as well as modes of transportation i.e., importation by air, container, and truck, under the risk-based inspection and management to prevent the entry of IUU fish. An electronic traceability system covering the value chain for Thai flagged vessels was fully implemented in September 2017. The latest additional features allowing for more automatic cross-checks in the Thai Flagged Catch Certification system (TFCC) have been in place since August 2018. Today, DoF has already implemented the IT system tracing imported fish as well as the PSM linked and Processing Statement System (PPS) which consists of 2 systems, namely (1) the electronic Port State Measures (PSM) system to track fish from pre-port entry to transport and (2) the Processing Statement Endorsement System (PSE) to track each fish batch from processing plant until export to the EU market as requirements. The Thai Flagged Catch Certification Scheme and the Import Control Scheme ensure complete product traceability at each and every stage of production – from catch landing to offloading, processing, and ultimately export. This complete electronic traceability system can ensure no illegal fish enters the supply chain of fish and fishery products for export. Figure 1 Fishing vessel inspection by PIPO centre compared with the notified vessel target 2019-2021 Thailand has built a new future for its fisheries and seafood industry through a national root and branch reform program. Thai fisheries products are now safer, more legal, sustainable, environmentally and socially friendly and IUU-Free. Our products can be traced through a new enhanced e-traceability system along supply chain – we trace from sea to plate. Apart of sanitation control from farms to processing plants and exports, all fishery products are proved and certified non-IUU products by the Department of Fisheries for exportation. The entry of IUU fish is stringent prevented under the IUU - Free Policy. Moreover, the existing electronic traceability of Thai Flagged Catch Certification system (TFCC) and the Fishing Info (database) Network can cover the traceability of trash fish caught by Thai flagged vessels to ensure the caught trash fish supplied to the fish meal plants are not derived from IUU fishing. The industry of the fish meal production in Thailand are supplied by 2 groups of raw material namely trash fish (38%), and by products from fish processing (62%) for aquatic animals feed production. The program of certification of fish meal and fish meal products has been developed and launched since 2014 with the cooperation of Department of Fisheries, Thai Fishmeal Producers Associations, Thai Feed Mill Association, Bangkok Produce Merchandising Public Co., Ltd., and Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Co., Ltd. This is a joint policy between the Thai government and private sector to develop a system for the production of fishery products of Thailand aiming particularly to improve the trawl fisheries operating in Thai waters to align with the IFFO RS standard and sign in the IFFO Improver Program (IP) for further sustainability of the fishmeal producer in Thailand. Although this is a pilot program and voluntary, currently there are 43 fishmeal plants joining the program. In the near future, the system of the certification of the fish meal and fish meal products will be regulated and becoming mandatory by law. Currently, as the exporter of fish and fishery products to the EU market, the Thai DoF is cooperating with the EU DG MARE to joining the use of the EU IT system CATCH, that the main objective is to ensure a smooth transition from the current paper-based catch certificate to EU IT system. 1.5 International cooperation and enhancement of fighting IUU fishing to the ASEAN The Thai government realized the importance of international collaboration including flag state, port state, coastal state and relevant RFMOs on information exchanges with regards to fishing activities of suspicious fishing vessels or IUU vessels. Thailand has extended the collaboration on combating IUU fishing to ASEAN member countries by initiating the establishment of ASEAN Network for Combating IUU Fishing or AN-IUU. The AN-IUU aims to support the cooperation among ASEAN Member States in fighting against and prosecuting the IUU fishing vessels in the region under ASEAN Roadmap on Combating IUU Fishing and RPOA-IUU mechanisms. The DOF serves as AN-IUU centre and Interactive Platform administrator for information sharing of the IUU activities in the region. 2. Progress on the resolution concerning human trafficking and forced labor in fishery industry Combating human trafficking remains a national agenda of Thailand. Even Thailand was ranked in the tier 2 watch list in the TIP report 2021, the Royal Thai Government continued its strong efforts in comprehensively addressing human trafficking by pursuing zero-tolerance policy in prosecuting the human trafficking offenders; ensuring the safety and protection of victims of trafficking, implementing preventive measures to protect various vulnerable groups from human trafficking. Thailand has been focusing on the prevention and eradication of illegal labor in seafood and fishery industries. We have revised laws and policies related to the protection of labor rights and the immigration management, established the monitoring system to ensure the wellness and work performance of the workers in seafood and fishery industries, and adapted three Ps measures (Prosecution, Protection, and Prevention) for solving labor issues occurring within the country. Furthermore, Thailand has prosecuted a person, who committed forced labors, and monitored this crime in every segment of the fishery supply chain; from ports, rafts to sea. It forms Inter – Agency Taskforce among government agencies and private sectors to work effectively. Foreign labors in Thailand, approximately 110,000 people, have been registered and legally working in the country since 2018. Todays, 100% of the migrant workers employed in the fishing and seafood sectors have entered Thailand through legal channels or were approved under the proof of nationality measures. Thailand was the 14th of the member states of ILO and the first country in Asia which ratified ILO Work in Fishing Convention, 2007 No. 188 or C188 on January 2019 and entered int force in January 2020. At present, the royal Thai government enacted the Labor Protection in Fisheries Act 2019 in consistency with C188 as well as increasing the efficiency of labor protection and forced labor prevention in fisheries. Thailand also has ratified the Protocol of 2014 to the Forced Labour Convention (P29). Thailand has built up the coordination with other countries such as the European Union countries to prevent human trafficking continuously, partnered with Cambodian government establishing the transit center for human trafficking victims in Poipet, Cambodia to rehabilitate victims before going back to society, and has worked with ILO by creating USDOL and ATLAS projects. Thailand has a significant progress on the fighting human trafficking and other forms of forced labor, such as (1) increasing identification of victims of human trafficking, (2) having prosecuted and imposing severe punishment to a number of offenders and government officials involved in human trafficking (3) developing a manual with NGOs to create standards for training / policy of fighting human trafficking, and (4) inspecting labors in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams which helps to sort out more victims from labor trafficking. Three additional laws and regulations that would enhance the efficacy in preventing and suppressing human trafficking have been enacted or revised in 2019 namely Amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code (No.33& 34) B.E. 2562 (2019) to prevent spurious retributive charges by employers against workers and their rights defenders; Emergency Decree Amending the Anti-Human Trafficking Act B.E.2551 (2008) B.E.2562(2019) to support Thailand’s ratification of ILO Convention No. 29 on Force labour; and the Labour Protection in Fisheries Act on Work in Fishing. In addition, progress continued to be made in the consideration of the draft Labour Relations Act that would allow migrant workers to join as committee members of labour unions, in line with International Standard of the ILO C. 98 – Right to organise and collective bargaining convention, 1949, the cabinet approved the draft Labour Relations Act B.E…. Essential amendments include migrant workers’ right to serve as committee members at labour unions. The draft is still under the process of consideration by the council State, and is part of the Government’s efforts towards ratifying ILO C 98. Greater collaboration among government agencies, private sectors, and NGOs as well as enhanced capacity of law enforcement officers led to increased efficiency in the prosecution process of trafficking cases at all steps. Severe sentences were handed down to the offenders with 36.6 percent of them punished to imprisonment of 10 years or more, generating greater deterrence effect. Under the Port in-Port out control centre (PIPO), crews on board are inspected through the capacity of the multidisciplinary team. The Department of Fisheries has established the Marine Fisheries Protection and Suppression Centre to coordinate inspection of vessels at sea with provincial officers of related agencies.
CP and CPF share experience in the field of human rights at 2019 UN Forum
BANGKOK (NNT) - Dr.Netithorn Praditsarn, the deputy secretary of Global Compact Network Thailand and a representative of Charoen Pokphand Group; and Mr. Wuthichai Sithipreedanant, the senior vice president for corporate social responsibility and sustainable development of Charoen Pokphand Foods PLC (CPF) recently joined the 2019 UN Forum on Business and Human Rights: Multi stakeholders initiatives promoted by States to drive business respect for human rights - effectiveness and lessons learned. The session at the annual forum in Geneva, Switzerland focused on innovative multi-stakeholder approaches to drive business respect for human rights and human rights protection. At the session, CP Group and CPF’s representatives shared CPF’s experiences in cooperating with other stakeholders in lifting the human rights standards of Thailand’s fishing industry. CPF was a founder of Seafood Task Force, a network dedicated to tackle illegal fishing and human rights violations as well as ensure the industry’s sustainability. Seafood Task Force’s outstanding performance helped encourage the European Union to lift a yellow card for Thailand. CPF affirmed zero direct involvement with the fishing industry. However, CPF was inspired to join Seafood Task Force from the beginning due to its leading position in the agribusiness and food industry and commitment towards sustainable business operations. Mr. Wuthichai attributed Seafood Task Force’s success to 3 key factors. First, collaboration of multi-stakeholders from relevant business enterprises, customers, foreign retailers and civic society to the government which brainstormed for solutions. Importantly, the private sector played a crucial role in supporting the government’s operations: for example, Department of Fisheries’ vessel monitoring system (VMS) installation project; and the establishment of Fishermen Life Enhancement Center (FLEC) in Songkhla province by CPF in cooperation with Fish Marketing Organization under Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, the Department of Labor Protection and Welfare, the Planned Parenthood Association of Thailand, and Stella Maris Seafarers Center Songkhla to actively prevent and tackle human trafficking as well as improve the quality of life of laborers and their families. Second, conformity of public-private operations that cover the entire supply chain, to avoid redundancies and improve policy cooperation. Lastly, Seafood Task Force’s replication. Matter-of-factly, the network is an extended version of Shrimp Task Force and covers the entire fishing industry. At present, Seafood Task Force’s members represent more than 50 organizations and this practice will be replicated to other ASEAN countries including Vietnam. BANGKOK (NNT) - Dr.Netithorn Praditsarn, the deputy secretary of Global Compact Network Thailand and a representative of Charoen Pokphand Group; and Mr. Wuthichai Sithipreedanant, the senior vice president for corporate social responsibility and sustainable development of Charoen Pokphand Foods PLC (CPF) recently joined the 2019 UN Forum on Business and Human Rights: Multi stakeholders initiatives promoted by States to drive business respect for human rights - effectiveness and lessons learned. The session at the annual forum in Geneva, Switzerland focused on innovative multi-stakeholder approaches to drive business respect for human rights and human rights protection. At the session, CP Group and CPF’s representatives shared CPF’s experiences in cooperating with other stakeholders in lifting the human rights standards of Thailand’s fishing industry. CPF was a founder of Seafood Task Force, a network dedicated to tackle illegal fishing and human rights violations as well as ensure the industry’s sustainability. Seafood Task Force’s outstanding performance helped encourage the European Union to lift a yellow card for Thailand. CPF affirmed zero direct involvement with the fishing industry. However, CPF was inspired to join Seafood Task Force from the beginning due to its leading position in the agribusiness and food industry and commitment towards sustainable business operations. Mr. Wuthichai attributed Seafood Task Force’s success to 3 key factors. First, collaboration of multi-stakeholders from relevant business enterprises, customers, foreign retailers and civic society to the government which brainstormed for solutions. Importantly, the private sector played a crucial role in supporting the government’s operations: for example, Department of Fisheries’ vessel monitoring system (VMS) installation project; and the establishment of Fishermen Life Enhancement Center (FLEC) in Songkhla province by CPF in cooperation with Fish Marketing Organization under Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, the Department of Labor Protection and Welfare, the Planned Parenthood Association of Thailand, and Stella Maris Seafarers Center Songkhla to actively prevent and tackle human trafficking as well as improve the quality of life of laborers and their families. Second, conformity of public-private operations that cover the entire supply chain, to avoid redundancies and improve policy cooperation. Lastly, Seafood Task Force’s replication. Matter-of-factly, the network is an extended version of Shrimp Task Force and covers the entire fishing industry. At present, Seafood Task Force’s members represent more than 50 organizations and this practice will be replicated to other ASEAN countries including Vietnam. written by National News Bureau & Public Relations
Baan Tulakorpalus - a model cooperative in Narathiwat to fight against IUU fishing
Today, we’ll take you to Baan Tulakorpalus, a fishing village chosen as a model of marine resource conservation and a leader in the elimination of illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing, with support from the government. Currently, it is the only village with a fishing cooperative in Narathiwat province. Mustopa Useng, president of the Baan Tulakorpalus fishing group, told us that villagers from Ban Khao Tanyong and Ban Tulakorpalus got together in 2010 to find ways to protect their marine resources and aquatic creatures. They resolved to prohibit the use of illegal fishing equipment and ban fishermen from other villages from fishing in their areas. In 2015, the government implemented measures to combat IUU fishing and support the recovery of marine ecosystems. Tulakorpalus village was then able to set up a fisheries cooperative located Kaluwo Nuea subdistrict, Muang Narathiwat district. This cooperative currently has 58 members. "In the past, illegal fishing nets were used. After the government addressed the problem of illegal fishing nets, the marine environment improved. Fishermen are restricted to fishing on certain days, and only small boats are allowed. The fishing cooperative was set up to help the local fishermen have sustainable livelihoods," Mustopa said. Prapatpong Taksinsamphan, head of fishing management in the Narathiwat Provincial Fisheries Office, said the fishery group has cooperated with the government to address IUU fishing and follow the royal initiatives of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great (Rama IX). The group has strengthened the fishing village and brought other benefits to the locals. This is the origin of the fishing cooperative. Abdulroyah Arwae, vice president of the Baan Tulakorpalus fishing group, said the villagers have joined forces to set up this community organization to oversee marine resources, and they have become stronger. The fishing cooperative will support the local fishermen and improve their livelihoods. Chana Amornwat, director of the cooperative promotion of Narathiwat Provincial Cooperative Office, said this is the only fishing cooperative in the southernmost province. It was established in August this year to provide fishing equipment to local fishermen and manage their product distribution. "It’s not only fishermen. Farmers have to get together and help each other. They will have more negotiation power when they buy or sell their produce. Setting up a cooperative is better than other methods because it is a legal entity and can carry out many activities. It is also supported by civil agencies," he added. The fisheries cooperative of Tulakorpalus village has many strong points and it is looking for ways to enhance them further. Related agencies will have to support the processing of their products to increase their value, while encouraging 12 other fishing villages to form their own cooperatives like the one in Tulakorpalus village. The cooperatives benefit everyone and they can continue to live together peacefully written by National News Bureau & Public Relations, Thai Source : https://thainews.prd.go.th/th/news/detail/TCATG191028090803494
How the EU stamped down on decades of illegal fishing in Thailand
In a tightened up policing of their fishing industry Thailand has begun intercepting and inspecting fishing boats far out at sea this year, one of many new measures to curb its dangerously high levels of overfishing. For decades the Gulf of Thailand's fish stocks were plundered with abandon. Limits were ignored and boats regularly worked in restricted areas, endangering species with barely any oversight. Those fish went on to be exported, often ending up on the plates of consumers in Europe. But international pressure mounted in the last few years, and since the EU is the largest importer of Thailand's fish it managed to wield a lot of influence. In 2015 the EU issued a “yellow card,” warning the Thai government it would suspend its imports if no action was taken, and in January it was finally lifted and a "green card" was awarded. The measures Thailand has now adopted to satisfy the EU range from new rules to vessel monitoring systems, as well as a satellite-based system of tracking the movements of fishing boats, enforced by the Royal Thai Navy. Thai officials say Europe’s pressure has helped them to implement these reforms, convincing the fisheries to accept tightened control. “As the biggest importer of the seafood of the world, I think the EU is using its power trying to solve the problem. That’s why we’re not complaining about the yellow card at all. And the yellow card for us is like a wake-up call: OK, you know the problem, now you have to wake up and do something significant,” Adisorn Promthep, the Director–General of Thailand's Department of Fisheries, told Euronews. “Since the yellow card was issued, the Commission and Thailand have engaged in a constructive process of cooperation and dialogue,” the European Commission, the executive arm of the EU, said in a statement in February announcing the lifting of the card. “This has resulted in a major upgrade of the Thai fisheries governance, in accordance with the international commitments of the country.” Thai seafood exports stood at 1.85 billion euros in 2017, Commerce Ministry data show, recovering to their 2014 level after a drop in 2015 to 1.6 billion euros following the European Union warning. About 9.9 percent of Thai seafood exports went to the European Union last year, versus 10.3 percent in 2014, ministry data show. Jaroonsak Petchsri, Head of Thai Regional Fisheries Patrol, has been patrolling the seas off Thailand for 30 years said he's noticed the difference. "In the past, we didn’t really have much control over the fisheries… They were depleting the sea, harvesting fish big and small, removing it in spawning seasons. Now, with the new laws, these things have changed," he told Euronews. Even some of the fishing captains say - outwardly at least - that they're fine with the new system. “I agree that all the illegal fishing has to end. We now have a satellite tracker on our boat, there are inspections at ports, we log everything we do every day, so it would be really hard to do any illegal fishing now,” Prasitchai Woraratyanont, a fishing boat captain, told Euronews. Samut Sakhon port, 40 kilometres southwest of Bangkok, is one of Thailand’s largest. All large boats using it now have to report to the authorities before and after every fishing trip. Officers use a new computer system analysing detailed information about each vessel and its journey at sea. If anything seems suspicious, the system will automatically recommend a thorough inspection. “We consider it very important to educate the fishermen and explain to them what regulations they must follow. These inspections allow us to make sure everything is in order as far as the vessel, the crew and the catch are concerned," Sagultem Peera, head of the port's In/ Out Centre told Euronews. And back at the Department of Fisheries' brand new monitoring centre in Bangkok roughly 6000 fishing vessels, all equipped with satellite trackers, are watched around the clock. “We are receiving data on the speed and direction of each boat in real time. If a trawler has slowed down, fishing in a restricted zone, we’ll start the procedure to intercept,” Bundit Kullavanijaya, Head of Vessel Monitoring System workgroup, Thailand Department of Fisheries, said. Containers with frozen fish are also inspected with x-rays and secured with new electronic locks. Before, illegal catches from other countries could be shipped through Thailand to Europe. Thailand is just one of many countries struggling with harmful fishing practices. An estimated one-fifth of all worldwide catches are illegal, unreported, or unregulated — globally that’s 10 billion euros per year. Some illegal catches would often land in Thailand on refrigerated cargo ships. Some of these huge vessels were getting their daily catch from smaller, illegal fishing boats on the high seas — a practice called “fish laundering.” Now foreign flag vessels are not allowed into Thai ports anymore unless their cargo is properly certified. “Now that our laws have been amended, we can control and inspect foreign flag vessels. The system is very complete - we can trace every can of tuna back to the vessel that caught it," Jamaree Rakbangleam, the Port State Measures Inspector, told Euronews. ------------------------------ written by : euronews
Department of Fisheries confidence in Thai Shrimp Industry – provides consumers with high quality and standard products, food safety, uses technological friendly to the environment with social responsibility
Department of Fisheries confidence in Thai Shrimp Industry – provides consumers with high quality and standard products, food safety, uses technological friendly to the environment with social responsibility "Sustainability trend" is one of the critical issues that consumers around the world are aware of, “food security” “food safety" "resource sustainability and environmental impact", as well as "good labor practices" is included. As the world's largest producer of aquatic products, Thailand has given priority to "sustainability", in this way, production of quality food to meets international standards with regard to food safety, environmentally friendly and social responsibility for building consumer confidence has been attached the importance. Under the Royal Ordinance on Fisheries 2015 and its amendment, Thailand has implemented a systematic fishery reform encompassing fisheries, aquaculture, processing, as well as traceability systems in order to strengthen fishery development and to head towards the sustainability. Especially for aquaculture promotion, its objectives have clearly been defined to “taking into account the economic, social and environment in long-term, maintaining the balance of the ecosystem, and enhancing consumer confidence in quality and hygiene of aquaculture products", this is to ensure that any aquaculture promotion will aim to "sustainability". Dr. Adisorn Promthep, the Director-General of the Department of Fisheries, said that "marine shrimp" is an important economic species that generate incomes into Thailand from its exports. Thailand has encountered many problems, whether they be environmental challenges, disease outbreak crisis causing the decrease of the competitiveness of Thailand in the global market. However, the Department of Fisheries confidence that the "Thai shrimps" are still in high demand in the global market, therefore, to ensure the sustainability of the Thai shrimp aquaculture industry, under the Royal Ordinance on Fisheries 2015 and its amendment, shrimp aquaculture has been controlled to guarantee the quality of aquaculture process and to prevent environmental impact or harm to consumers and the industry by starting from; Aquaculture zoning process: the Provincial Fisheries Committee will determine the appropriate area for marine shrimp aquaculture to ensure that there will be no shrimp farming operations in the areas where it may cause the impact to the environment or the other business. The entrepreneurs shall apply for their shrimp farm registration to the Department of Fisheries. They must provide the Department of Fisheries with the certificate of land ownership and the farms must not be located in mangrove or conservation areas. These regulations reflect the strictness of law enforcement to protect the environment in Thailand. Aquaculture control process: The Department of Fisheries has implemented Good Aquaculture Practices (GAP) and Thai Agricultural Standard (TAS) 7422 - 2018 for marine shrimp hatchery and nursery establishments which is one of the national standards to certify farm standards. This standard covers every step in practice from hatcheries, grow-out farms, harvesting, and processing in order to get standard and good quality shrimp production, and safety for consumers. The Department of Fisheries encourages shrimp farmers to culture shrimp by using a water recirculation system in a closed system to reduce the use of natural water and discharge of wastewater into environment. Wastewater from the pond will be treated using biological technology before recirculating, utilizing effective probiotic is also supported for the degradation of organic matter and control of pathogenic bacteria in order to reduce drugs and chemicals used for aquaculture. Process for diseases monitoring in aquatic animals and chemicals used for aquaculture: regarding the problems on "disease", the Department of Fisheries has conducted lot by lot inspection of shrimp larvae in every production lot to certify their disease-free status. Accordingly, farmers can access good quality and disease-free shrimp larvae. Moreover, the national measures to monitor inputs using in aquaculture has been laid down, including a plan to inspect drugs and chemicals used in farms and released in input stores. Besides, the regular monitoring for drug and chemical used in aquaculture systems has been implemented. The final process is the exploitation of labour in shrimp industry: the Department of Fisheries cooperate with all sectors, in order to promote the implementation of the Good Labour Practices (GLP), which complies to the labour laws on the issues of child labour, slave labour, and forced labour. Upon the aforementioned process, it can guarantee that "marine shrimp aquaculture of Thailand" has been operated friendly with the environment, free from drugs and antibiotic residues. Marine shrimp distributed in both domestic and international markets can be traced throughout the production line and this will be an important basis of "Thai shrimp" to secure the further step. The Director-General of the Department of Fisheries concluded that Thai marine shrimp industry relates three major components: upstream, midstream and downstream, as well as a number of stakeholders, farmers, establishments, and exporters (from farm to table). The mutual trust and cooperation from all sectors will be an important condition to support the management of Thai shrimp aquaculture towards sustainability in the future, it will also contribute to the sustainability of the farmer careers and other stakeholders throughout the supply chain. ------------------------------ written by the Department of Fisheries, Thailand published by Gnews
Seminar on post-IUU fishery sector
BANGKOK, 31 July 2019 (NNT) - After Thailand obtained a green card as an IUU-free country from the European Union, civil society got a glimpse of the improved situation of fisheries’ workers. A seminar entitled ’’After IUU, go forward or stay put Potential and challenges in Thailand’s fisheries’’ has been organized by the Asian Research Center for Migration, of Chulalongkorn University’s Institute of Asian Studies in cooperation with the Thai Civil Society’s Coalition for Sustainable and Ethical Seafood. The Department of Labor Protection and Welfare’s Deputy Director General, Somboon Traisilanand said today the labor situation has gradually improved following the removal of the IUU yellow card. However, authorities have continued to strictly enforce the law in line with international standards. Besides, the law has been amended to facilitate the employment of migrant workers from three foreign countries in a convenient, prompt and fair manner. In particular, legislation for the protection of workers in the fishing sector will be enacted in November. Crewmembers on fishing boats are protected by welfare and safety measures. Officials regularly inspect fishing boats and workers in 22 coastal provinces to alleviate the concerns of the International Labor Organization over the payment of monthly wages to fishery workers. For instance, some workers’ ATM cards attached to accounts into which their wages were paid were allegedly seized by others. Suthasini Kaewleklai of the Migrant Workers Rights Organization said this week that the fisheries’ labor situation has improved, given the amended legal protection. However, some problems remain unresolved and have been made more complicated. The authorities are urged to take proactive measures to help fishery workers who may still be mistreated. written by National News Bureau & Public Relations