Bangkok: The Senate accepted the principle of the Fisheries Act Amendment Act, with Mr. Akara Prompao, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, emphasizing the need to amend the act to prevent illegal fishing and alleviate the suffering of fishermen. The amendment also aims to reduce penalties, lowering the maximum fine from 30 million baht to 1 million baht. However, senators expressed concerns over potential issues, particularly regarding the impact on young aquatic animals.
According to Thai News Agency, the Senate meeting was chaired by Gen. Kriangkrai Srirak, First Vice President of the Senate. The urgent matter discussed was the draft bill amending the Fisheries Act of 2015, which seeks to address 71 sections and 24 issues related to regulating fisheries in Thailand. The amendments aim to prevent illegal fishing, maintain aquatic resources, protect crew members, and support local fishing communities. Notable changes include allowing only Thai nationals to apply for local fishing licenses and repealing the prohibition on offshore fishing for license holders to avoid limiting local fishermen's rights.
Mr. Akara further explained that the amendments would require the approval of the National Fisheries Policy Committee for issuing announcements prohibiting certain fishing practices. An exception will allow the use of purse seines with smaller mesh sizes for nighttime fishing if criteria and announcements specify the use of lighting. Penalties for illegal fishing will be revised, with fines based on the value of the aquatic animals and vessel size, aligning with international standards.
Senator Thawat Suraban reported that some sections of the current law are inconsistent with international fishing obligations. The amendment proposes separating offenses into two categories: fishing in Thai waters and fishing outside Thai waters. Concerns were raised about the use of fine-meshed nets potentially affecting young aquatic animals and the economic market.
Senator Naraset Prachayakar expressed concerns about the potential reduction in economic aquatic animals due to fine-meshed nets used for nighttime fishing, as this could lead to a decline in aquatic animal populations. He cited the Thai mackerel crisis as an example of potential long-term impacts on the fisheries economic group.
Senator Seranee Anilbon highlighted the unease among commercial and local fisheries, particularly regarding nighttime fishing with lights. He demonstrated the potential impact on young aquatic animals by presenting a kilogram of small mackerels containing various fish species, emphasizing the potential ecological consequences.
Mr. Bancha Sukkaew, Director-General of the Department of Fisheries, assured that the department collects scientific data annually to monitor aquatic animal populations and issue licenses accordingly. He emphasized that the amendment is in line with international obligations and aims to maximize resource use.
The Senate voted 165 in favor, 11 against, with 7 abstentions and 1 not voting, to set up a special committee with 21 members to consider the amendment within seven days. However, the committee does not include public sector representatives as requested by the fisheries group, who will instead serve as advisors.