Thailand, according to activists, is alleged to be reinstating the past detrimental practices in its fisheries sector.
In 2015, Thailand passed a fisheries ordinance aimed at addressing issues such as labor abuse and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) catch. However, proposed amendments to the Fisheries Act are currently being debated by politicians, causing a stir among activists and fishermen alike.
The new act, if passed, could potentially weaken regulations and lead to overexploitation of marine resources, a concern shared by organisations like the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF). Activists believe night operations, which could be permitted under the new act, could potentially lead to the destruction of ecosystems and the loss of species worth over 200 billion baht (US$6 billion) per year.
Changes to rules on transferring catches between boats at sea are another concern for the EJF, as they could potentially lead to the transfer of illegal catch. The industry, on the other hand, is credited with supporting over two million jobs in 2,500 fishing villages as of 2018, according to the National Fisheries Association of Thailand.
The proposed changes have been backed by the National Fisheries Association of Thailand, which represents the large-scale commercial sector. However, Jirasak "Boot" Meerit, a fisherman from Prachuap Khiri Khan province, western Thailand, and other activists are pushing for changes to the bill. They believe it will turn the clock back and lead to overexploitation of marine resources.
Meerit, who starts his day catching blue crab and mackerel, fears for the future of his livelihood. He, along with other activists, protested the proposed changes outside parliament in Bangkok on 7 February. The Federation of Thai Fisher Folk Association is holding regular events in the capital to voice their opposition.
One of the most contentious changes is the modification to Article 69, which would permit night fishing at more than 12 nautical miles from the shore, using nets with a mesh finer than 2.5 centimeters. This could potentially result in hundreds, if not thousands, of fishing vessels being able to tranship catch while at sea.
Viriyaroj, a spokesperson for the Thai government, insists that vessels wishing to tranship would have to register and comply with regulations. Thailand's IUU measures are up to international standards, according to Viriyaroj, but concerns about transhipment are largely unfounded.
The new act, if passed, could potentially bring economic benefits, according to the National Fisheries Association of Thailand. Bancha Sukkaew, director general of the Department of Fisheries, believes the new legislation could improve incomes for fishers and reduce reliance on imports by increasing catches.
However, remaining problems, according to the EJF, include labor rights and tariffs on low-value catch, also known as "trash fish". Under current regulations, a factory identified to have forced or child labor must suspend operations until an investigation is completed. The new draft act weakens those regulations, allowing factories under investigation to continue operating normally.
The EJF identified 18 concerning amendments in the proposed changes, 15 of which have since been amended. The name of the president of the Thai Sea Watch Association who opposes the planned changes to the fisheries law is Thanapol Cheewarattanaporn.
In the Andaman Sea, fish populations have begun to rebound since the passing of the fisheries ordinance in 2015. Whether the proposed changes will lead to further improvements or cause irreversible damage remains to be seen. The debate continues as Thailand navigates the delicate balance between economic growth and environmental conservation.
