A group of independent fishermen on Thursday urged the government not to condone controversial net-fishing practices by registering commercial vessels plying Thai coastal waters.
The group of about 60 small fishermen and conservationists showed up at a Government House complaint centre in Bangkok to submit a letter to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha opposing the legal registration of commercial-fishing vessels using large-scale harvesting techniques in coastal waters, where they make their living.
Group leader Banjong Nasae said the European Union's "yellow card" warning against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in Thailand prompted the government to register every fishing boat in its jurisdiction and license equipment. But some of that equipment is considered detrimental to marine ecosystems and the livelihoods of small, coastal fishermen.
Trawl nets, push nets and anchovy nets equipped with lights destroy sensitive marine resources while depleting fish stocks that small fishermen depend on, he said.
His group called on the government to rethink its registration procedures and ban the use of harmful nets. The fishermen also demanded they be given a greater say in fishing-related policies drawn up by the government.