In its efforts to combat illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's government has taken a number of measures.
The latest is the suspension of boat registrations, which took effect earlier this week when it was announced in the Royal Gazette. This step is aimed at preventing unregistered trawlers from being used in illegal fishing. Its implementation is in compliance with amendments to Section 54/4 of the Thai Vessels Act after the Marine Department revoked ownership of an unspecified number of Thai registered fishing vessels with over 10 gross tonnes.
Of these, several are said to have no owners while others are supposedly damaged or sunk, but there is no credible evidence or documents to prove this.
