BANGKOK, June 5 (TNA) – The Thai government has vowed to
tackle illegal fishing and promote sustainable fisheries, marking the
International Day for the Fight Against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated
(IUU) Fishing.
The Department of Fisheries in cooperation with the Food and
Agriculture Organization (FAO) organized an event to raise awareness on IUU as
the world observed the second IUU day.
In December 2017, the United Nations General Assembly agreed
on a proposal, declaring June 5 as the International Day for the Fight Against
Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing.
Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said the government
would continue its efforts to combat illegal fishing, upgrade legal tools and
Thai fisheries to meet international standards.
The government had, in the past four years, consistently
addressed the issue, Gen Prawit said.
The fight against IUU led the European Union to decide to
remove a ‘yellow card’ on Thailand in January, he added.
FAO proposed June 5 as the IUU day because it was the date
when the first international treaty designed to end illegal fishing – the FAO
Port State Measures Agreement – entered into force in 2016.
Governments, civil society organizations and consumer groups
around the world observe activities on the fight against illegal fishing on
this international day. (TNA)
