Authorities do not expect any significant impact on fish supplies even though a large number of illegal boats are tied up as strict regulations governing vessels and equipment are enforced.
Of the 42,000 fishing boats registered with the Marine Department, 28,000 do not have fishing licences and more than 10,000 are not being put to sea for the time being, Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Pitipong Phuengboon Na Ayudhaya said on Thursday.
He reiterated the government would not relax suppression of illegal fishing boats because representatives of the European Union, a big buyer of Thai fishing products, will arrive in August to check fishing practices.
By then, there will be only legal fishing boats at sea, Mr Pitipong said.
The EU issued Thailand with a "yellow card", the final warning against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, in April and gave the country six months to solve the problem. The deadline is in October. Failure to regulate its fishing industry, will see Thailand face an EU ban on its fish products.
Mr Pitipong said fishing boats 30 gross tonnes and up will be checked and those unregistered or equipped with trawl nets, push nets, anchovy purse seines and anchovy lift nets will be tackled because they greatly damage marine resources.
He said the moored illegal fishing boats would not have an impact on local seafood supplies because most of it came from farms.
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said the protesting fish operators formed a small proportion of all operators and they would not cause an impact on fish products.
He said the majority of Thai people supported the strict controls as illegal fishing had started in 1991 and had destroyed Thai marine resources.
"The protesting fish operators should protect the national interest and the majority of people who may be affected. We must do the right thing. The government gave a long grace period. If we fail to enforce the law, we might be blamed for violating international practices," Gen Prawit said.
But Poj Aramwattananont, president of the Thai Frozen Foods Association, said local seafood prices would rise because most Thai fishing boats supplied their catches mainly to local markets and small fishermen could meet parts of local demand only.
However, he supported the government's strict control on fishing because it would protect Thai fish exports.
Patima Tungpuchakul, manager of the Labour Rights Promotion Network, said the protesting fishing operators who had berthed their boats were using a psychological tactic.
"Many fishing boats will have to be tied up anyway for the time being because the inner Gulf of Thailand is being closed to commercial fishing for marine resource rehabilitation. Besides, monsoons are causing rough waters in the Andaman Sea," she said.
In Hat Yai, Songkhla province, it was business was as usual at the seafood market.
Various types of seafood were available at normal prices even though fishing boats have been docking for 2-3 days, a survey at the Plaza fresh market showed.
But the real blow may come on July 4, the D-day when all fishing boats in Hat Yai will dock.
"There might be short supply of some products and prices may be higher. But shortages are unlikely since most seafood here comes from the Andaman Sea," a vendor said.
In Pathum Thani, Charn Puangphet, president of the Provincial Administration Organisation, urged people to eat more freshwater fish such as striped catfish instead. The province will hold a campaign to promote them on Friday by showcasing different dishes using such ingredients.
In Pattani, where 600 boats docked for the third day on Thursday, seafood supply has dwindled and prices are 10-15 baht a kilogram higher, especially mackerel and tuna, Thairath Online reported.
As well, the available supplies are not fresh and people have turned to live fish caught in baskets.
In Surat Thani, supplies were low and prices were 50-80 baht a kg higher than usual on Thursday.
In Samut Sakhon, seafood was in short supply while the prices of shrimps, shells, crabs and cuttlefish were 20-50 baht a kg higher.
Fishing boats are mooring in Samut Songkhram province. (Photo by Chanat Katanyu)