Thai Department of Fisheries tackles IUU Fishing for global trade

Khaosod•Economy•2d ago

Reader Briefing

The Department of Fisheries is implementing comprehensive measures to combat IUU Fishing and ensure Thai fishery products meet international standards.

•The Department of Fisheries is updating laws and management systems to prevent Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing.
•Thailand has established the ASEAN Network for Combating IUU Fishing (AN-IUU) to exchange information among member states.
•Fishery production in 2025 supports domestic consumption of approximately 2.31 million tons and exports exceeding 1.67 million tons.
•The National Fisheries Policy Committee approved the third phase of a project to remove fishing vessels from the system on August 3, 2026.

Overview

•The Department of Fisheries is maintaining standards to prevent IUU Fishing and complying with international conventions as a flag state, coastal state, and port state.
•The Act amending the Royal Ordinance on Fisheries 2015 2025 was announced in the Royal Gazette on November 7, 2025, involving 71 amended sections and 23 subordinate laws.
•The Department of Fisheries uses Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) data to propose Total Allowable Catch (TAC) limits to the National Fisheries Policy Committee.
•The National Fisheries Policy Committee approved the criteria for the third phase of the project to remove fishing vessels from the system on August 3, 2026.
•The Department of Fisheries utilizes technology such as Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS), Electronic Reporting Systems (ERS), and Electronic Monitoring (EM) for surveillance.
•Thailand has established the ASEAN Network for Combating IUU Fishing (AN-IUU) and developed Thailand’s Catch Certificate for production chain transparency.
•In 2025, Thai fishery exports exceeded 1.67 million tons, valued at over 223 billion baht, distributed to markets including the USA, Japan, ASEAN, China, and the Middle East.

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Key Entities

Person

Thitiporn Laoprasert(นางฐิติพร หลาวประเสริฐ)

Director General of the Department of Fisheries.

Organization

Department of Fisheries(กรมประมง)

The primary agency overseeing the country's fisheries sector under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives.

Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives(กระทรวงเกษตรและสหกรณ์)

The ministry overseeing the Department of Fisheries.

National Fisheries Policy Committee(คณะกรรมการนโยบายการประมงแห่งชาติ)

The body responsible for determining Total Allowable Catch (TAC) and approving fishing vessel removal projects.

ASEAN Network for Combating IUU Fishing (AN-IUU)(เครือข่ายอาเซียนเพื่อการต่อต้านการประมงผิดกฎหมาย ขาดการรายงาน และไร้การควบคุม (ASEAN Network for Combating IUU Fishing: AN-IUU))

A network established by Thailand for communication and information exchange on IUU fishing among ASEAN member states.

Law

Act amending the Royal Ordinance on Fisheries 2015 2025(พระราชบัญญัติแก้ไขเพิ่มเติมพระราชกำหนดการประมง พ.ศ. 2558 พ.ศ. 2568)

A law announced on November 7, 2025, containing 71 amended sections to modernize fisheries management.

Royal Decree on Managing the Work of Aliens(พ.ร.ก. การบริหารจัดการทำงานคนต่างด้าว)

A regulation used by the Department of Fisheries and related agencies to manage foreign worker permits on fishing vessels.

Policy

Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA)(ความตกลงว่าด้วยมาตรการของรัฐเจ้าของท่า (Port State Measures Agreement: PSMA))

An international agreement that enables Thailand to enhance inspection of foreign fishing vessels.