On 5-6 October 2017, General Chatchai Sarikulaya, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, attended the Our Ocean Conference 2017 hosted by the European Union in Malta. The Conference was attended by delegations from over 60 countries, as well as representatives from the private sector and civil society. More than 400 commitments were pledged to protect the ocean and marine resources, resulting in over 6 billion euros of financial support committed for ocean protection projects.  

 

The Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives reaffirmed Thailand’s commitment to the ongoing reforms in fisheries sector and fisheries labour management to ensure Thailand’s compliance with international regulations and standards. These included the ratification of relevant International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions to ensure decent working and living conditions for fisheries labour.  

 

Thailand has overhauled legal and policy frameworks governing the fisheries sector resulting in the complete reform of the fleet management, 

the establishment of the fisheries monitoring-control-surveillance mechanism, as well as putting in place the traceability system to ensure that seafood products from Thailand are free from IUU catches. The goal is not only to eliminate IUU fishing, but also to ensure sustainability in Thai fishing industry. 

 

Thailand is also determined to tackle marine pollution through its long-term national pollution management plans. With an aim to protect marine environment, Thailand announced its commitment to increase the coastal and marine protected area to a target of 10 percent of its coastal area by 2030. Thailand also stands ready to cooperate with the international community and all sectors to achieve the global goal of protecting our shared ocean and marine resources.

 

During the Conference, the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives also met with Mr. Karmenu Vella, EU Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries. The Minister reaffirmed Thailand’s commitment to address all issues of concern to successfully resolve the problem of IUU fishing, including Thailand’s initiative to promote regional cooperation to combat IUU fishing through the development of the ASEAN Common Fisheries Policy. Commissioner Vella expressed confidence in Thailand’s commitments and the direction taken to eliminate IUU fishing. He also reaffirmed the EU’s support for Thailand as one of the strategic partners to combat IUU fishing and promote sustainable fisheries.

 

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12 October 2017