A group of commercial trawler operators from Pattani has asked for European Union (EU) assistance in relieving impacts caused by the government's policies to control Illegal Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IUU). "The EU seemed surprised by the information that we gave it and told us to write a report on the impacts of the government's IUU regulations. The EU in 2015 issued Thailand with a yellow card due to its poor performance in stopping IUU fishing, covering the use of illegal fishing gear and illegal workers onboard fishing vessels. The group also asked the government to buy 220 commercial trawlers from owners who want to sell up. Fishermen are facing financial crises from the IUU regulation impacts and are in urgent need of help.

Source: Bangkok Post October 07, 2020 22:52 UTC