Forced labor among migrant workers in many industries in Thailand, including fishery, was specifically mentioned in the ranking of Thailand in the 2021 U.S. Trafficking in Person (TIP) Report.
Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha and Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan, therefore, established the sub-committee on anti-IUU fishing and the task force for monitoring, control, and surveillance, led by Pol Lt. Gen. Surachate Hakparn, Assistant Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police, to combat IUU fishing and forced labor in the fishing industry. The operation team to monitor the implementation of rules and regulations regarding fishery was also established to ensure effective law enforcement and efficient coordination among the line agencies.
On Jan 12, 2022. Assistant Commissioner-General Pol Lt. Gen. Surachate Hakparn, in his capacity as vice president of sub-committee on anti-IUU fishing, met with representatives from the Federation of Thai Fisher Folk Association and members of the fisherfolk network from Thasala in Nakhon Si Thammarat province to discuss cooperation on Anti-IUU Fishing.
The IUU Fishing has heavily caused marine degradation in Thailand and affected the livelihood of local fishermen communities. With smaller vessels and lower efficiency fishing tools used primarily for local consumption and commerce, this smaller scale of fishery does not contribute to the degradation but helps create food security and self-sufficiency.
The lifting of the EU yellow card, which was a result of tireless efforts by all relevant agencies to combat IUU fishing, has also significantly contributed to the restoration of rich marine resources in Thailand’s coastal areas. The local catch of 2017 was 140,037 tons and increased to 161,462 tons in 2018, 250,622 tons in 2019, and 164,054 tons in the first 9 months of 2021.
However, the problem of illegal fishing in the coastal areas done by large vessels with higher efficiency fishing gears still remains. During 2020-2021, the artisanal fishery groups had submitted a number of complaints but the issue did not seem to be sufficiently addressed by authorities.
At the meeting with local fishermen groups, Pol Lt. Gen. Surachate assured that the invaluable information received from the groups, including tips on officials neglect of duty and discrimination, as well as any misconduct of large commercial fishing vessels, would be utilized.
He also emphasized that the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister place high importance on artisanal fishery and have instructed him to address the large-scale fishery misconduct and the officials complicity that could, unfortunately, cause mistrust in authorities. With that, Pol Lt. Gen. Surachate formed 4 operation teams of experienced officers to inspect 620 fishing vessels that are suspected of conducting IUU fishing. Some of these vessels do not dock at the correct registered seaport. Some have been reported “not in use” and requested to turn off the VMS tracking system, but in fact, are out conducting illegal fishing, smuggling goods, or even trafficking human. Pol Lt. Gen. Surachate ensured that in such cases, both owners and complicit officers would be punished accordingly.
The Royal Thai Police continuously informs the public regarding the nature of IUU fishing and other illegal activities related to the fishery to help raise awareness. If any misconduct has been found, the public can directly report to the Child, Woman Protection and Anti-Human and Trafficking Center by calling 1599 or Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/antihumantraffickingpolice.
Source: https://www.matichon.co.th/news-monitor/news_3128711
