A list of demands from the National Fishing Association of Thailand (NFAT) shared with Thai government officials in a closed-door meeting could derail the reform of the country’s fisheries, according to the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) and its sources.
NFAT’s demands include lifting all restrictions on crew and catch transfers at sea, as well as being allowed to fish for much longer without the obligation to record exact fishing locations, EJF said. Additionally, the group has called for vessels that lost their licenses in 2015 to be allowed to fish once more, and for the abolishment of annual inspections of vessels and crew. It has also requested that age restrictions on fishing be relaxed, and that operators be given the capability to revise crew lists for many hours after leaving port.
EJF said if the demands were satisfied, it would likely return the country’s fishing fleet to its abusive and illegal past, endangering the country’s economy, fish stocks and international reputation.
There are 35 organizations including EJF, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Lyons Seafoods, Greenpeace, and Oxfam who are coming together to sign and present a letter to Thailand’s prime minister condemning the demands and urging the government to protect reforms.
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