NAKHON SI THAMMARAT: More than 8,000 trawlers in 22 provinces are likely to lose their commercial fishing licences after checks revealed their registration numbers did not match the vessels, and many had not renewed their permits for years.
The discrepancies were uncovered when the government began regulating fishing boats to comply with the European Union's demand that Thailand end so-called illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, or lose its market for seafood products.
Thailand was given six months to fall into line with the requirements as it sought to clean up its industry.
Results of compliance checks by three agencies - the Marine Department, the Fisheries Department and the Command Centre for Combating Illegal Fishing (CCCIF) - were revealed yesterday by Kamolsak Lertpaiboon, secretary of the Thai Fisheries Association.
The licences of 8,024 fishing vessels based in 22 provinces on the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea would be revoked for failing to meet the requirements.
The vessels affected were first, second and third-class deep-sea fishing trawlers, ranging from 0.2 to 602 gross tonnes.
A list of the vessels would be submitted to the National Council for Peace and Order so their licences could be revoked, a source said.
Inspections found the registration numbers of many trawlers did not match the vessels or type of fishing operation described.
Vessels which had not renewed their registration for several years were also on the list.
Mr Kamolsak said most trawlers that stand to lose their licences do not operate locally, but in Indonesian and Myanmar waters.
There were also many boats where the owners had not reported to the authorities.
He said operators of vessels that lose out as a result of the survey could appeal. If unsuccessful, they face fines and prison terms.
The deadline for the EU's demand that Thailand clamp down on illegal fishing in six months or risk trade sanctions is at the end of October.
Europe will announce in December whether Thailand's seafood exports will be blacklisted or if Bangkok has cooperated enough to be allowed more time to fix its problems, an official said.