Viet Nam, Thailand cooperate to fight illegal fishing

Thai deputy government spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek said the Cabinet has approved a proposal to sign this kind of MoU with Viet Nam. 

The signing of the MOU will take place during the 7th Meeting of Viet Nam-Thailand joint working group on anti-IUU fishing to be hosted by Viet Nam next month, she said.

The Department of Fishery under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives of Thailand and the Department of Fishery, under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Viet Nam are going to sign the document.

Under the MoU, the two countries are expected to share experience, information, and measures pertaining to IUU fishing, especially on encroachment of fishing vessels, catch certificate, and traceability, to prevent IUU fishing products from entering the supply chain, shared Ratchada Thanadirek. 

Scope of cooperation including exchanging information on transshipment and landing of aquatic lifeforms at port, traceability, and verification of catch certificates, she added.

Both sides will enhance capacity of anti-IUU fishing activities, such as compliance with port state measures, inspection, control and surveillance; and collaborate and exchange information on illegal fishing vessels under ASEAN network mechanism, Ratchada Thanadirek stated.

She noted that the MoU will take effect for five years./.