Advocates warn Thailand is about to return fisheries to exploitative conditions
Thailand is considering significant amendments to its fisheries laws, raising concerns about the protection of workers and the sustainability of its seafood industry.
Prioritizing profit over protection
The proposed changes include reduced penalties for illegal fishing and deregulation of destructive fishing methods, raising fears of a resurgence in unethical and unsustainable practices. Moreover, labor protections, particularly for migrant workers at sea, are also under threat.
Behind these changes is the National Fisheries Association of Thailand (NFAT), representing 58 commercial fishing operations, which complains of profit losses and finding it difficult to hire workers. The NFAT is an influential lobby, much courted before recent elections and wholly supported in Parliament.
Parliament members across parties were united in a vote of 416 – 0 in approving the first reading of the proposal to loosen regulation in the fishing industry and is that much closer to a consolidated draft policy.